John Williams' first film score...

[indy4 152]

I was rereading the Q/A that I recieved a few years ago after I wrote to JW, and I came across some interesting information:

I wrote my first film score in 1953 for the Canadian National Film Board's production entitled "You Are Welcome," which extolled the virtues of the Maritime Provinces.

Other interesting tidbits of information:

- his favorite musical compositions are "When You Wish Upon a Star" and Beethoven's 6th Symphony

- his favorite non-music class in high school were French and Civics. Susan Sontag was in his Civics class.

- his favorite book as a child was Johnny Tremain. As an adult, his favorite book is The White Goddess

[Thor 5,273]

Yeah, this is actually somewhat "old news", as the tidbit was found in an old newspaper article/interview that someone posted here awhile back (about JW in his army days).

I don't think it will ever see the light of day, though - neither film nor score.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Maybe it's somewhere in the archives at Canada, locked away in darkness.

We must dispatch King Mark to find it for the greater good of human-kind!

[fommes 126]

Susan Sontag was in his class? Wow.

[gkgyver 1,638]

Susan Sontag? Who's she?

Sounds like a Rowling character. Susan Sontag and Fidelius Freitag.

[Thor 5,273]

Come on, gkgyver....you don't know who Susan Sontag is?

[BloodBoal 7,532]

[ymenard 35]

After searching the ONF... err NFB.ca website, this is the only thing I found about this movie :

http://onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=11729

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0226664/maindetails

There is no mention of it's composer, nor anything on Google

[Thor 5,273]

After searching the ONF... err NFB.ca website, this is the only thing I found about this movie :

http://onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=11729

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0226664/maindetails

There is no mention of it's composer, nor anything on Google

It's not that film, I believe. It's not about Cyprus, but about Canada. I would be mightily impressed if anyone found any record about it anywhere.

[filmmusic 925]

I was rereading the Q/A that I recieved a few years ago after I wrote to JW, and I came across some interesting information:

I wrote my first film score in 1953 for the Canadian National Film Board's production entitled "You Are Welcome," which extolled the virtues of the Maritime Provinces.

Other interesting tidbits of information:

- his favorite musical compositions are "When You Wish Upon a Star" and Beethoven's 6th Symphony

- his favorite non-music class in high school were French and Civics. Susan Sontag was in his Civics class.

- his favorite book as a child was Johnny Tremain. As an adult, his favorite book is The White Goddess

Do you have the whole message you received anywhere?

it would be interesting to see...

[indy4 152]

Yeah I'll try to scan it later. If that doesn't work I'll just type it.

[airmanjerm 77]

Yeah, this is actually somewhat "old news", as the tidbit was found in an old newspaper article/interview that someone posted here awhile back (about JW in his army days).

Air Force!

(Not that anyone else would care, lol!)

I always enjoy the fact that he wrote that score while he was an Air Force Band staff Arranger/Composer, and the score was recorded by AF Band musicians.

[Thor 5,273]

Air force, sorry.

I've always been curious as to how Williams was a soldier (as I assume that's also part of the training before you specialize as a band leader).

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

He was not the soft spoken gentlemen we know today. He would stab you as soon as look as you. He was known as Johnny "The Blade" Williams.

He was extremely patriotic, many chinks rued the day they ever met him!

[Incanus 5,519]

He was not the soft spoken gentlemen we know today. He would stab you as soon as look as you. He was known as Johnny "The Blade" Williams.

He was extremely patriotic, many chinks rued the day they ever met him!

Singing voice was one of his weapons in those days as well. In a tight spot without a knife he would sing them to death. The song was usually Mack the Knife though.

[indy4 152]

Here is the Q/A. I apologize for the numerous typos.

1. Do you have a family? Is anyone else in your family musically inclined?

Yes, I have children and grandchildren who are musciians. My father was a musician, and both of my brothers are musicians.

2. Do you have any other interests?

I enjoy reading to relax and playing golf for the nice walk that goes with it.

3. Who was your favrotie historical figure?

Abraham Lincoln

4. What does it mean to you to be a leader?

To be a leader gives one greater opportunity to make a contribution.

5. Who is someone who has inspried you or who is your hero?

Bernard Herrmann

6. What is the most encouraging thing that someone ever said to you?

It was actually the most challenging thing someone said to me. I was speaking with BErnard Herrmann and told him that I'd really like to write a symphony. He responded by saying "who's stopping you?"

1. What were your favorite non-musical classes in high school?

French. My Civics class was also very interesting. Susan Sontag was also in my Civics class and she spoke more than the teacher.

2. Why is it important to study math and science if you plan to ahve a career in music?

The exercise and development of the mind is bound to be helpful in any pursuit. IN addition, there's a theoretical common ground with mathematics...plus it helps you count! [the ellipses are JW's, not mine]

3. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

I like to read biographies and books about history.

4. What book has influenced you the most and why?

AS a boy I enjoyed "Johnny TRemain" by Esther Forbes. I read it over and over again. AS a n adult, Robert Graves' book about the power of myth, The White Goddess, had a tremendous impact on me. It's a fascinating book but difficult reading...it sent me to the dictionary several times!

5. What teacher influenced you the most and why?

As a teenager my piano teacher, Robert Van Eps, influenced me a great deal by being a mentor as well as a teacher. He was very generous with his time and when my piano lesson was over he would invite me to stay and observe him at work orchestrating music. Althogu he wasn't actually teaching me orchestration, I learned quite a lot by just watching him at his craft.

6. What do you think is the most important reason to stay in school?

School is the best place to develop your potential.

1. Were you a natural at music as a boy? When did you first become interested?

My father was a professional drummer, and music was always presenti n our home. I began studying piano at age seven.

2. Do you play an instrument? Were you ever a member in a bnad or orchestra?

In addition to piano I can play trombone, trumpet, and clarinet. In high school I arranged and composed music for the school band, in addition to joining in on the trombone and trumpet. Our high school also had an orchestra so I played piano with them when the music called for a keyboard. Some years later while in the military, I conducted and arranged music for the United States Air Force service bands.

3. What do you like about conducitng an orchestra?

The exhileration of the music.

4. Who or what inspired you to become a cmposer?

My father.

5. When was the first piece of music you ever wrote?

My first serious piece of music was a piano sonata that I composed when I was 19.

6. How did you feel when you had your first successful performance or recroding?

VEry happy! I orchestrated the music and conducted the orchestra in my high school's production of "Raise the Roof". The whole time I wondered how I could get better at doing both so I bought books and read a lot to find out.

7. What are you favorite musical compositions? Do you have a favorite among all of the movie scores you've composed?

My two favorite compositions are Beethoven's 6th Symphony and "When You Wish UPon a Star." [yes, he never answered the second question]

8. Besides movie scores, what other types of musich ave you written?

In the 1950s I wrote a limited amount of music for Horace Heidt's radio program. I soon moved to tv programs, beginning with General Electric Theatre, and went on to write for shows such as Lost in Space and Land of the Giants. Today, you can hear "THe MIssion Theme" which NBC Nightly News uses throughout its broadcast. In 1975, I wrote the score for Thomas and the King which debuted on the London stage. I've also written numerous classical pieces including Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, SEven for Luck, and an occasional pieces for orcehstra which are commissioned for special events like the olympics (84, 88, 96, 2002), or the opening of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (October 2003).

9. What is the most challenging thing about composing music?

Having the patience not to hurry.

10. Do you ever havea composer block and if so, how do you find inspiration?

No, I don't get composer block, but sometimes the work takes a longer, more sustained effort.

11. Do you use a computer when you're writing music?

No, I take an old fashion approach and just use staff paper, a sharp epncil, and my piano.

1. What was the first film score you composed?

I wrote my first film score in 1953 for the Canadian National Film Board's production entiteld "you are WElcome," which extolled the virtues of the Maritime Provinces.

2. When you compose a film score do you put your own feelings into it in addition to the feeling of the movie?

There is no escaping it. WE all bring our own experiences into the process. WE don't try to impose ourselves onto the score, but ultimately there is a coming together of the personal and the objective.

3. Do you think composing for movies is hard work or is it enjoyable for you?

both!

4. What is the process of scoring a film? On average, how long does it take to compose the music for a movie?

Initially, along with teh director, I watch or spot a very early version of the film to determien wehre music needs to stand out. WE also decide what characters or situations will have their own themes. AFter I wrtite the music, I record it with an orchestra while wtachign the film at the same time to make sure that it sychronizes well. Form there, the music si mixwed with sound effects and dialog to produce the final soudntrack. The whole process takes about trhee months.

5. what classes should I take to beocme a film composer?

In addition to thorough musical training, it's very important to get a broad general education. Musical training alone, in the long run, will not be enough to make a person as successful as he or she can be.

6. What advice woudl you give to someone who watns to being a career as a film composer?

In approachign the music branch of the film industry in Los Angeles, it's best to keep a practical and realistic frame of mind. This is a particularly difficult field in which to gain entry because it is highly competitive and quite small in the whole scheme of the American arts community. Althgouh it is discouraging, be prepared (psychologically and financially) for long periods of difficultly in finding sustained, quality work.

EAch story of forming a caeer is detaield differently. Enjoy the days of great success, learn from the days of great disappointment, and realize that most days will fall somewhere in the middle. The important thing is to never, enver give up.

[filmmusic 925]

oh, thank you so much!!!

You're great!!

by the way, was it so easy to write a letter and get these answers?

I mean how are we sure that JW himself answered?

[indy4 152]

oh, thank you so much!!!

You're great!!

by the way, was it so easy to write a letter and get these answers?

I mean how are we sure that JW himself answered?

No problem! It's easy to write to him, but you have to wait awhile to get a response (I think mine took around 9 months). But I didn't ask these questions - I just asked him for an autograph. His secretaries sent me a typed, generic Q/A along with a signed photo, which I assume is what everybody gets regardless of what specifically they ask of him.

[crocodile 6,294]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing indy4.

Karol

[filmmusic 925]

oh, thank you so much!!!

You're great!!

by the way, was it so easy to write a letter and get these answers?

I mean how are we sure that JW himself answered?

No problem! It's easy to write to him, but you have to wait awhile to get a response (I think mine took around 9 months). But I didn't ask these questions - I just asked him for an autograph. His secretaries sent me a typed, generic Q/A along with a signed photo, which I assume is what everybody gets regardless of what specifically they ask of him.

oh, now I see.. thanks again for the information...

[Thor 5,273]

Hmmm...something doesn't quite sit right with those JW replies. They're a bit too short and unusually detailed about his past (he is neither in regular interviews). I'm not saying you're lying, indy, but they DO feel very odd. Anyone else feel the same? Could be they are 'condensed' replies typed in by a secretary, and that he's had some time to think about each.

[indy4 152]

Honestly, they seem like something Williams answered as fast as he could. Not only are they often phrased awkwardly and much less eloquently than we're used to, but there are a bunch of typos in the actual text. And then there are bullshit responses, like "To be a leader gives one greater opportunity to make a contribution" or "School is the best place to develop your potential."

[Thor 5,273]

Yeah, that too. But the terse replies and the extremely detailed recount of his obscure past are what struck me the most.