The Best JW Brass Fanfares

[Quintus 5,391]

I was just listening to the great concert arrangement of The Banquet [conducted by Williams] and I was reminded of how brilliant the fanfare intro is to the cue, it's one of his very best I think (and sadly one of his least heard) and it highlights just how good he is at writing satisfying fanfares in general. Another great one is heard at the end of E.T. just after he's says "I'll be right here", to Elliot. That one really stirs the emotions, punctuating the sad moments of seconds before with a wonderful sense of rousing optimism - it's a very clever way of rewarding the audience musically, and I love it. JW superb brass fanfares are surely the best in the biz.

[Red 73]

When I read the thread title the first thing I thought of was "The Banquet". But since that's already been mentioned I'll throw the finale to Close Encounters into the mix. That is probably my favorite finale to a JW score, yes even above E.T.

[Josh500 1,602]

I was just listening to the great concert arrangement of The Banquet [conducted by Williams] and I was reminded of how brilliant the fanfare intro is to the cue, it's one of his very best I think (and sadly one of his least heard) and it highlights just how good he is at writing satisfying fanfares in general. Another great one is heard at the end of E.T. just after he's says "I'll be right here", to Elliot. That one really stirs the emotions, punctuating the sad moments of seconds before with a wonderful sense of rousing optimism - it's a very clever way of rewarding the audience musically, and I love it. JW superb brass fanfares are surely the best in the biz.

Were you listening to the Hook OS, Quint, or the Williams on Williams version? Anyway, I agree that's very good.

However, there are other JW brass fanfares that I love more:

The Quidditch Match (also heard in Harry's Wondrous World).

The Flag Parade

Star Wars Main Title

Nazi brass fanfares in The Last Crusade

[TownerFan 4,548]

Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

[Josh500 1,602]

Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

Summon the Heroes

[Datameister 1,394]

JW superb brass fanfares are surely the best in the biz.

Infreakingdeed. I cannot get over the exciting and unpredictable yet polished and professional nature of his fanfares. They always go into really interesting harmonic territory and highlight the emotions of the scenes in a way most composers simply could not pull off. The examples you mentioned are two of my favorites, but there are a LOT of great ones. It's similarly great when he launches into a complex, contrapuntal brass choir passage in the middle of some action music or whatever (e.g. when the X-wings swoop in to attack the Death Star in Star Wars).

[Quintus 5,391]

Indeed, there's a rather interesting one right after Porkins is shot down, if I remember rightly. I think it marks the halfway point of the battle.

@Josh

I'm not certain which album the Hook track is from, but it definitely isn't on the ost. I only know that JW is conducting it because well, I can just tell.

[Josh500 1,602]

@Josh

I'm not certain which album the Hook track is from, but it definitely isn't on the ost. I only know that JW is conducting it because well, I can just tell.

Well, if it's "The Banquet," that is on the OS!

[Quintus 5,391]

Yes I know that, but I'm saying that the fanfare intro isn't on the ost recording.

[Andy 1,492]

The Banquet is perhaps my favorite as well.

Liberty Fanfare starts out strong and then continues pretty bold as well.

[Red 73]

If it's the concert arrangement it's probably from the compilation album Williams on Williams. To my knowledge that's the only CD that has it, along with several other concert arrangements for other Hook pieces like "Face of Pan" and "Smee's Plan".

[Josh500 1,602]

If it's the concert arrangement it's probably from the compilation album Williams on Williams. To my knowledge that's the only CD that has it, along with several other concert arrangements for other Hook pieces like "Face of Pan" and "Smee's Plan".

Actually I prefer the "Smee's Plan" on the WOW album (no pun!) than the version found on the OS album.

But maybe I am in the minority here.

[Quintus 5,391]

If it's the concert arrangement it's probably from the compilation album Williams on Williams. To my knowledge that's the only CD that has it, along with several other concert arrangements for other Hook pieces like "Face of Pan" and "Smee's Plan".

Yeah that'll be the one - Smee's Plan is developed quite wonderfully.

[Red 73]

If it's the concert arrangement it's probably from the compilation album Williams on Williams. To my knowledge that's the only CD that has it, along with several other concert arrangements for other Hook pieces like "Face of Pan" and "Smee's Plan".

Actually I prefer the "Smee's Plan" on the WOW album (no pun!) than the version found on the OS album.

But maybe I am in the minority here.

No, I prefer it as well because the original track is very short and kind of underdeveloped. It's probably the only one I prefer to the original actually.

[Quintus 5,391]

Is it just me or do the two albums sound like they're lifted from exactly the same [Hook] orchestra recording sessions? The performances are near identical.

[Josh500 1,602]

If it's the concert arrangement it's probably from the compilation album Williams on Williams. To my knowledge that's the only CD that has it, along with several other concert arrangements for other Hook pieces like "Face of Pan" and "Smee's Plan".

Actually I prefer the "Smee's Plan" on the WOW album (no pun!) than the version found on the OS album.

But maybe I am in the minority here.

No, I prefer it as well because the original track is very short and kind of underdeveloped. It's probably the only one I prefer to the original actually.

Agreed!

[Charlie Brigden 5]

All the brass through the Battle of Yavin is incredible. Especially the rendering of the Force theme as the X-Wings make their first dive.

It's the same with the Battle of Hoth. From the little bit where it goes from the Imperial March through the rebel fanfare to Luke's theme when the transport takes off, to the motif for the snowspeeders, to Luke taking an AT-AT down solo, it's just breathtaking. Not even mentioning stuff like The Asteroid Field and

[Quintus 5,391]

Yeah Charlie, all that stuff is amazing, but you're talking more along the lines of brass flourishes; whereas I'm referring to actual fanfares - were the brass is the only section to be heard.

[indy4 152]

The end of "Far From Home/E.T." is absolutely fantastic (in fact, I think it is slightly better than the other E.T. fanfare mentioned earlier in the thread).

[Charlie Brigden 5]

Yeah Charlie, all that stuff is amazing, but you're talking more along the lines of brass flourishes; whereas I'm referring to actual fanfares - were the brass is the only section to be heard.

Oh, ok. I just read the title and something about the battle of Yavin and immediately just thought 'Brass!'

The Banquet - what's that one from?

[Quintus 5,391]

It's from Hook, but you won't hear the fanfare on the ost. If you don't have the recording we're referring to, maybe I can help you out.

@Indy4

You might be right.

[Josh500 1,602]

It just occurred to me: "The Land Race" from Far and Away.

Haven't listened to that one for a while... but it's one of my all-time favorites.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

It's from Hook, but you won't hear the fanfare on the ost.

Ah. Never seen the film, only heard the OST once. Need to listen to it again.

[Quintus 5,391]

Yes, yes you do.

[Joe Brausam 203]

I forget the track name and timing, but the ascending one between the trumpets/trombones in Empire when they're running to the Millenium Falcon to escape Cloud City, just before the love theme comes in? That's a great moment.

[John Crichton 4]

The big fanfare at the end of Sail Barge Assault (alternate and final versions) has always been a favorite of mine.

Not much beats the quick fanfare statement of the Raiders March in Indy's First Adventure when he escapes the train.

[King Mark 2,924]

Celebrate Discovery is pretty good.

In RotS , the end of Anakin's Dark Deeds (the unedited film version of course) is amazing

In PoA there's an unreleased fanfare version of the Past theme ( Harry confronts the chest dementor) that I really want

The fanfare when the land on coruscant in TPM. With the UE sound quality and played loud...amazing

[John Crichton 4]

In RotS , the end of Anakin's Dark Deeds (the unedited film version of course) is amazing

Yes!

[Andy 1,492]

It's from Hook, but you won't hear the fanfare on the ost.

Ah. Never seen the film, only heard the OST once. Need to listen to it again.

Charlie, I'd strongly recommend the Williams on Williams compilation. The Hook material alone is worth the price of admission. In fact, it was my first exposure to the music of Hook. I had dismissed it originally as a Spielberg misfire, but after this disc, I fell in love with it and sought out the OST. The recording clarity is wonderful, and the concert arrangements, especially the Banquet, are top shelf. I think it's an essential Williams compilation. Once you sort of understand the intention with Hook, you fall deeply in love with it. The Williams on Williams CD will help with that, by distilling the main themes into some really great suites.

The Banquet simply sparkles.

Here's a nice brass flourish (maybe a fanfare?) in the middle of

at 2:35 from the Empire Strikes Back.

[Jonesy 55]

The Planet Krypton is a great fanfare

[Quintus 5,391]

Here's a nice brass flourish (maybe a fanfare?) in the middle of

at 2:35 from the Empire Strikes Back.

That's a lesser acknowledged, yet great example. The fanfare there acts as a bridge of sorts, to the sweeping reprisal of Han and Leia's theme.

[Marcus 385]

They are all wonderful; always.

But one that really sums up Williams's fanfare stylistics, as well as showcase his utter brilliance and virtuosity in this respect, is the opening salvo of the first movement of "American Journey".

[Joe Brausam 203]

Here's a nice brass flourish (maybe a fanfare?) in the middle of

at 2:35 from the Empire Strikes Back.

That's a lesser acknowledged, yet great example. The fanfare there acts as a bridge of sorts, to the sweeping reprisal of Han and Leia's theme.

That's actually the bit that I was talking about in my post up above.

[Jeff 0]

Here's a nice brass flourish (maybe a fanfare?) in the middle of

at 2:35 from the Empire Strikes Back.

Is that the one Joey225 was referring to? The brass and the love theme are amazing in that track.

[indy4 152]

Not much beats the quick fanfare statement of the Raiders March in Indy's First Adventure when he escapes the train.

YES! This is one of my favorite bits of new music that the Concord set gave us.

[Demondm810 349]

End of T-Rex Rescue and Finale. Those brass chords are sublime.

[Andy 1,492]

So many of the concert suites are great for brass fanfares. I love the one for the very start of Exsultate Justi from Empire of the Sun.

[Jacob 0]

Indeed, there's a rather interesting one right after Porkins is shot down, if I remember rightly.

All the brass through the Battle of Yavin is incredible. Especially the rendering of the Force theme as the X-Wings make their first dive.

And that's they dialed out on the DVD.

The big fanfare at the end of Sail Barge Assault (alternate and final versions) has always been a favorite of mine.

In RotS , the end of Anakin's Dark Deeds (the unedited film version of course) is amazing

Yes and yes.

[Joe Brausam 203]

Here's a nice brass flourish (maybe a fanfare?) in the middle of

at 2:35 from the Empire Strikes Back.

Is that the one Joey225 was referring to? The brass and the love theme are amazing in that track.

Yep!

[King Mark 2,924]

There's one great brass "dark" fanfare at 3 minutes into Peter's Rescue in Seven Years in Tibet

Oh a very short but so Williams it's worth mentioning:

Act Break in The Mission (Amazing Stories)

At the end of Gloria (Monsignor).This reminds me of the one near the end of Adventures on Earth

Let There Be Light (The Towering Inferno)

When Luke throws the bomb into the AT-AT in Battle of Hoth

3 minutes into Yoda and the Force: At the end of when Yoda lifts the X-Wing out of the water.

2.20 into The Asteroid Field. Goosebumps !!!

Opening of the Poseidon Adventure Main Titles

When the End Credits start in Welcome to Jurassic Park (1:35)

[Muad'Dib 1,514]

Tintin's theme!

Seriously, my favorite one probably is the Island theme from JP. There's something about that theme that gives you a sense of wonder and adventure that no other theme gives you.

All his fanfares are special and have something that distinct them from each other. We need another fanfare from him, bad!

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

How about the beginning of Arrival in New York when Kevin first sees the city?

[indy4 152]

"Attacking a Star Destroyer" is a great one. Right at 1:26.

[Ollie 859]

Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

Yes.

[Trent B 317]

How about when the french horns and the trumpets do their solo bits towards the end of "It Can't Be" from Revenge Of The Sith?

[Muad'Dib 1,514]

How about when the french horns and the trumpets do their solo bits towards the end of "It Can't Be" from Revenge Of The Sith?

Epic beyond belief. If ROTS had been a score for a non-Star Wars film it would have been considered a modern JW masterpiece. But because it doesn't sound like Star Wars, the old twats here hate it.

[TownerFan 4,548]

How about when the french horns and the trumpets do their solo bits towards the end of "It Can't Be" from Revenge Of The Sith?

Epic beyond belief. If ROTS had been a score for a non-Star Wars film it would have been considered a modern JW masterpiece. But because it doesn't sound like Star Wars, the old twats here hate it.

I always thought that this snippet could easily be taken from a Puccini opera. It's so grand and melodramatic.

[Muad'Dib 1,514]

I always thought that this snippet could easily be taken from a Puccini opera. It's so grand and melodramatic.

It could be possible. Which of his operas do you mean exactly here?

[STORM 1]

Glad someone mentioned planet kryton fanfare,one of the best.But williams brass writing in my opinion the best ,partic on star wars scores ,superman,harry potter,jaws 2 etc etc,also very difficult to play.

Oh even better when its the lso performing the scores

[pixie_twinkle 44]

Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

Yes.

Yes.