Datameister 2,051 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I'm sure I know what the poll results will be like, but I thought I'd throw the poll in anyway. My question is this: imagine John Williams were to release a CD filled with his own piano performances of many of his most beloved cues. Would you buy it? Obviously, I would. The guy can definitely play, and what little I've heard of his piano demos for the directors he works with are delightful. If he devoted some time to fleshing out finished piano arrangements of some good cues, the results would be absolutely amazing. I'd be especially interested in such a CD because I am a pianist - a much worse pianist, mind you - and I enjoy arranging film scores for the instrument.Perhaps a more interesting question: what cues would you put on this CD? I may post my ideas on that later on...I need to think about it. "Journey to the Island," "The Asteroid Field," and "Adventures on Earth" would be some of my more deservedly obvious choices, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Monsignor, Jane Eyre, A.I., E.T., Catch Me If You Can, Selections from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Checkmate, The Terminal, and the premiere recording of that piano concerto he better write before he dies would make a good album, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissPadmé 17 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 "Journey to the Island," we already have a fantastic pianorendition of that cue, if you know what I mean ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datameister 2,051 Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 The maestro could do much better, I'm sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric_JWFAN 11 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I'm sure I know what the poll results will be like, but I thought I'd throw the poll in anyway. My question is this: imagine John Williams were to release a CD filled with his own piano performances of many of his most beloved cues. Would you buy it? Obviously, I would. The guy can definitely play, and what little I've heard of his piano demos for the directors he works with are delightful. If he devoted some time to fleshing out finished piano arrangements of some good cues, the results would be absolutely amazing. I'd be especially interested in such a CD because I am a pianist - a much worse pianist, mind you - and I enjoy arranging film scores for the instrument.Perhaps a more interesting question: what cues would you put on this CD? I may post my ideas on that later on...I need to think about it. "Journey to the Island," "The Asteroid Field," and "Adventures on Earth" would be some of my more deservedly obvious choices, I think.Actually I'd want him to play his full orchestral scores on piano like Indy and SW, exactly the way he composes them. I believe everything he does, even the largest of the large orchestral stuff, starts at his piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datameister 2,051 Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 That's more or less what I mean - when I say that I'd like him to flesh them out a little more, I just mean that if there were any rough spots or things that later got changed, it'd be cool to have those wrinkles ironed out. From what little is publicly available, I'd say that the results of his composing sessions at the piano would be enough in most cases.On a related note...wouldn't it be amazing to have recordings of him working out our favorite musical ideas for the very first time at the piano? Imagine hearing "Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra" in embryonic, pianistic form, or the countless 5-note combinations that must have been candidates for CE3K... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,354 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Yes, and I would also buy it if the other John Williams would transcribe it for solo guitar. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neimoidian 14 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I would consider buying such a cd, although I'd prefer someone else (than Williams) to perform the cues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datameister 2,051 Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 Might I ask why? I mean, it's clear that he's not the world's #1 virtuoso or anything, but the guy can play really well. He started off as a studio pianist, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docteur Qui 1,544 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 A fantastic CD of piano-arranged music by Williams exists, listen here for samples. I don't have the recording but I have heard a number of these pieces and they sound fabulous.I would definitely buy such a CD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neimoidian 14 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Might I ask why? I mean, it's clear that he's not the world's #1 virtuoso or anything, but the guy can play really well. He started off as a studio pianist, after all.I am sure he can play well, but I'd simply prefer his music being played by a great performer, not just an OKAY one. There are artists much better suited to this than JW himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,991 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 My question is this: imagine John Williams were to release a CD filled with his own piano performances of many of his most beloved cues. Would you buy it?I'd buy it in a second. This would be a great CD. I'd love to see him revisiting his repertoire on piano solo, or even arranged for chamber groups (much like the wonderful arrangements on "Keisuke Wakao Plays the Music of JW" album). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckM 1 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Yes, and I would also buy it if the other John Williams would transcribe it for solo guitar. AlexHe has done some, hasn't he? I know that he's done Schindler's List at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 The poll question is rhetorical - why would anyone of us diehards answer with a 'no'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,354 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 A piano hating bastard would answer with a "no". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI 0 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Perhaps a more interesting question: what cues would you put on this CD? Well, if it could be anything at all, I'd like it to be just Williams playing it off the cuff from memory or his interpretation, mistakes and all;The Mecha WorldHomecoming - Born on the Fourth of JulySummon the Heroes Escape from Cloud CityDuel of the FatesThe MotorcadeEverybody RunsLapti Nek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,420 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Wow. A CD of piano versions of Williams score tracks would be sublime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Brausam 215 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Yes, and I would also buy it if the other John Williams would transcribe it for solo guitar. AlexThere was a great CD released in last year by Gregg Nestor of Ròzsa music transcribed for guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I want to hear him playing Making the Plane from Home Alone - in the original tempo of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis 245 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Might I ask why? I mean, it's clear that he's not the world's #1 virtuoso or anything, but the guy can play really well. He started off as a studio pianist, after all.I am sure he can play well, but I'd simply prefer his music being played by a great performer, not just an OKAY one. There are artists much better suited to this than JW himself.Did you ever listened to this CD?:http://www.amazon.de/Jazz-Beginnings-John-T-Williams/dp/B000H6SUQI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1264721482&sr=8-10Obvisouly NOT. He plays the piano excellent and very virtuos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,798 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Might I ask why? I mean, it's clear that he's not the world's #1 virtuoso or anything, but the guy can play really well. He started off as a studio pianist, after all.I am sure he can play well, but I'd simply prefer his music being played by a great performer, not just an OKAY one. There are artists much better suited to this than JW himself.jerry goldsmith was 'sad' when williams started composing because the world was left without a great pianist.I think williams maybe is rather good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Penna 3,715 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Last night I fell asleep transcribing loads of themes into piano. Immensely satisfying.I'd definitely buy a set like that, and more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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