RSNO / John Williams concerts

[Omen II 1,297]

It looks like The Royal Scottish National Orchestra will be giving a concert devoted to the music of John Williams in March 2014. Many of us will be familiar with the RSNO's fine renditions of Superman, Amazing Stories, Midway and others that included much Williams music until then unavailable elsewhere. The press release for the forthcoming season mentions the concert here:

http://www.rsno.org.uk/press/?p_id=68&action=Read+More

Although the RSNO website does not give a date, venue or conductor (as far as I can see), I note from his website that conductor Richard Kaufman is due to conduct the RSNO on 8th March 2014. Now I am no Sherlock Holmes, but I wonder if the two events could be related? The RSNO + Richard Kaufman + John Williams would be sure to be a winner.

EDIT: The RSNO has just announced its 2013-14 season and this concert is indeed in their brochure. It will take place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 8th March 2014 and will be conducted by Richard Kaufman. I will keep an eye out for a proper link.

[Omen II 1,297]

Here is a link to the RSNO listing for this concert:

http://www.rsno.org.uk/whatson/?c_id=166&action=Read+More&month=3&year=2013

Not many details at this stage about the programme, but that's to be expected when the concert is nearly a year away.

[Omen II 1,297]

Did anyone go to this yesterday? I would be interested to read how the concert was and which pieces were played.

[scissorhands 16]

I found this picture on twitter:

The text at the bottom seems to be a message from Williams himself.

[Miguel Andrade 1,696]

Nice selection, though mostly the usual suspects. Great to see Sayuri's Theme in there, and I wonder what would be the 13 minute long Star Wars suite.

[Incanus 5,884]

Nice selection, though mostly the usual suspects. Great to see Sayuri's Theme in there, and I wonder what would be the 13 minute long Star Wars suite.

I would wager some kind of combination of the Main Title, Pricess Leia's Theme, Little People and Throne Room and Finale.

[Miguel Andrade 1,696]

I remember there is some sort of medley that had those minus "The Little People"... Maybe that's the one.

[Marian Schedenig 11,313]

The text at the bottom seems to be a message from Williams himself.

I suspect he has some kind of default text template for these occasions.

[Incanus 5,884]

The text at the bottom seems to be a message from Williams himself.

I suspect he has some kind of default text template for these occasions.

He will send whatever message the trees dictate to him.

[Thor 9,334]

The text at the bottom seems to be a message from Williams himself.

I suspect he has some kind of default text template for these occasions.

He will send whatever message the trees dictate to him.

[crocodile 9,516]

I remember there is some sort of medley that had those minus "The Little People"...

Sadly, they never seem to perform that. And that is one of the coolest pieces from the saga.

Karol

[Incanus 5,884]

I remember there is some sort of medley that had those minus "The Little People"...

Sadly, they never seem to perform that. And that is one of the coolest pieces from the saga.

Karol

Agreed. Such a lovely quirky evocation of both place and character.

[Omen II 1,297]

Apparently so successful was this concert that Richard Kaufman will be coming back in March 2015 for three more John Williams concerts in Scotland, one in Edinburgh and two in Glasgow the following day (one for Rangers fans and the other for Celtic fans, perhaps?).

http://www.rsno.org.uk/whatson/?c_id=247&action=Read+More&month=3&year=2014

[Omen II 1,297]

The selections to be played at these concerts are now listed on the RSNO website (see link in post above) and there are several rarely performed pieces to look forward to, including Sabrina, Midway, Jim's New Life from Empire of the Sun and even Yes, Giorgio! When was that last played in a John Williams concert?

Interesting. Very interesting.

P.S. Jay / Incanus, any chance of updating the thread title to show March 2015, please?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,811]

That's a very interesting program.

[Thor 9,334]

YES, GIORGIO and MIDWAY! Wow, cool. I love it when they pick less known titles -- although most of the rest of the selections are the classic stalwarts.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,811]

It's probably too risky to program a concert with just the more obscure stuff. In the end people wanna hear some Star Wars or Harry Potter.

[Thor 9,334]

True. But if I had done a JW concert, it would be all GIDGET GOES TO ROME and DADDY-O and stuff.

[The Score Cleaner 9,513]

You would probably be the only one to show up

[Omen II 1,297]

Did anyone here attend any of these concerts in Edinburgh yesterday or Glasgow today? There are many very complimentary posts about it on the RSNO's Twitter page, so it would be great to hear from anyone that went.

[Foxfan 230]

I was at the Edinburgh performance at Usher Hall. The conductor Richard Kaufman was quite informative when introducing pieces, such as the fact that his hands replaced those of Jack Nicholson during the cello scene in Witches of Eastwick, and he curiouy asked how many in the audience had actually seen Yes, Giorgio, to which only myself and one other person raised our hands. Midway was nice to hear live for the first time, as was Jim's New Life for which apparently Kaufman got JW's personal authorization to perform. Oddly enough, 1941 was selected as the encore. I'm not sure how many in the audience knew what it was.

[Omen II 1,297]

There is a very nice interview with conductor Richard Kaufman in the Daily Record, in which he talks about his work as a violinist on Johnny's scores for Jaws, Close Encounters and The Eiger Sanction. Apparently one of the violinists on Jaws was so scared she stopped playing and had to cover her eyes!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/man-strike-fear-your-heart-5328976

I am also pleased to report that Richard Kaufman will be returning to Scotland next year for more John Williams concerts in Edinburgh on 5th February 2016 and Glasgow on 6th February 2016 with the RSNO.

http://www.rsno.org.uk/live/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=373&action=Read%20More

[Omen II 1,297]

A different interview with Richard Kaufman in The Herald gives some insights into working as a session musician on Williams's scores.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/film/rsno-conductor-richard-kaufman-on-working-with-john-williams-a-little-film-called-sta.1426260150

Working for John as a violinist was thrilling, both personally and professionally. Sitting in the studio on one of John's sessions was a challenge and an honour, and while the music was always remarkable, I can't think of a kinder or more distinguished human being to work for than John Williams. He is the consummate musician, and because of his background as a studio player himself, he has great respect for the musicians who bring his music to life. And in turn, the musicians return that respect with passionate playing, and a tremendous appreciation for the opportunity to be part of a John Williams score.

[stravinsky 232]

I am a big John Williams fan from Glasgow. Any of youse fae Glesga? If so we should go for a pint. Cheers Ray

[Omen II 1,297]

Wow!  The line-up for the RSNO's John Williams concerts in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee next weekend again includes some wonderful rarities such as Liberty Fanfare, The Terminal and Marion's Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

 

 

Is anyone here going to one of these concerts?  If so, you know what you have to do.  JWFan is counting on you.

 

RSNO concert listing

[Omen II 1,297]

There is a tweet on the RSNO Twitter account implying that they played Rey's Theme and Scherzo for X-Wings at tonight's concert in Edinburgh.  Can anyone confirm this?

 

?

[Mari 279]

Here's an article about the concerts from earlier today (including a preview video of the RSNO rehearsing Rey's Theme):

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/watch-royal-scottish-national-orchestra-7315153#chd9Oc1cPUtYs066.97

 

Quote

 

THE Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform the new Oscar-nominated score from Star Wars: The Force Awakens in a series of special concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh this weekend.

 

The shows will be the first time the new score has been performed in public outwith the United States.

 

 

[Omen II 1,297]

10 hours ago, Mari said:

Here's an article about the concerts from earlier today (including a preview video of the RSNO rehearsing Rey's Theme):

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/watch-royal-scottish-national-orchestra-7315153#chd9Oc1cPUtYs066.97

 

 

 

Fantastic!  Thank you, Mari.  The video of a complete run through of Rey's Theme in rehearsal is an unexpected bonus.

 

I love it when the Scots use the word 'outwith'.  Does anywhere else in the English-speaking world use that word?

[crumbs 15,888]

Liked this quote:

 

Quote

Richard said: “When people think of John Williams they probably think of Star Wars first and the body of work he has created for those films. The new score he has created for the force awakens is remarkable, and people recognise it all over the world. The Motion Picture Academy certainly do because he has just received his 50th nomination.

“Everybody is rooting for him to win, not as a sentimental thing, but because it’s a great score.”

 

[Omen II 1,297]

The RSNO's 'Hollywood Heroes and Superheroes' concerts at the beginning of March will now include The Jedi Steps and Finale from The Force Awakens.  Would that be the European concert premiere?

 

http://www.rsno.org.uk/live/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=337&action=Read More

[Omen II 1,297]

The RSNO has just announced its 2016-17 program, which will include the return of Richard Kaufman in 2017 to conduct a concert entitled John Williams and Friends, apparently focusing on his work with Steven Spielberg.  More details are promised tomorrow, but for now here is a link to the general press release:

 

http://www.rsno.org.uk/scottish-orchestra-is-125-years-young-the-201617-season/

 

Maybe it's about time I ventured north of the border for one of these fine concerts.  It looks as though the concerts will be on 24th, 25th and 26th February 2017.

[Omen II 1,297]

Classic FM's Full Works Concert with Jane Jones on Monday just gone (17th October) featured a fantastic live recording of selections from the RSNO's John Williams concerts at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall earlier this year.  Richard Kaufman conducts.

 

The performances and sound quality are excellent (check out CE3K, for example), but best of all is that the orchestra performs some rarely heard Williams gems such as the concert version of Marion's Theme, the new version of Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra, Letters From Hogwarts and the Liberty Fanfare.  Could these be the best quality versions of the first two available to date?

 

I am not quite sure how to link to it, but you can still listen to the broadcast by going to the Classic FM website http://www.classicfm.com and clicking on the 'Listen' button near the top of the page, then (after the advert plays), click on the 'Listen Again' tab and select 'Full Works Concerts with Jane Jones' and then the concert for 17th October.

[The Psycho Pianist 221]

I downloaded the broadcast and split up all of the four pieces concerned for easier listening. Some annoying coughing in them but...I guess there's nothing you can do about it live!

 

 

 

 

 

[Omen II 1,297]

Excellent work, Sir!

 

[toothless 1,033]

On 07/02/2016 at 6:23 PM, Omen II said:

The RSNO's 'Hollywood Heroes and Superheroes' concerts at the beginning of March will now include The Jedi Steps and Finale from The Force Awakens.  Would that be the European concert premiere?

 

http://www.rsno.org.uk/live/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=337&action=Read More

Nope

[Bespin Copilot 10,514]

Is it possible to have the link for the complete broadcast?

 

[The Psycho Pianist 221]

1 hour ago, Bespin said:

Is it possible to have the link for the complete broadcast?

 

 

Right click and download on this link.

 

(it downloads as MP4 but pretty easy to convert).

[Bespin Copilot 10,514]

Thanks, I noticed that on classicsfm, they only keep the third last links for each program. So the concert is ready gone. I don't know what they think when they design such websites.

[Omen II 1,297]

As in previous years, for the RSNO's John Williams concerts in February 2017 Richard Kaufman has programmed a good number of Williams pieces that we do not hear all that often in concert:

 

http://www.rsno.org.uk/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=632&action=Read More

 

They will play Summon the Heroes, American Journey and Always amongst others!

[Omen II 1,297]

I am in Auld Reekie this evening for this concert, having travelled up from London this morning.  Looking forward to it and will report back!

 

🐗

[Biodome 725]

Had the chance to listen to the performance in Edinburgh yesterday. Will probably post a review as well

[Omen II 1,297]

The music of John Williams and Friends

Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Richard Kaufman

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Friday 24th February 2017

 

Like Hogmanay and the Edinburgh Festival, it is becoming something of an annual tradition in Scotland for Richard Kaufman to conduct the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the music of John Williams, so when a new concert was announced in the RSNO’s 2016-17 schedule entitled ‘John Williams and Friends’, to be performed four times over three days in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, I decided that I would finally make the effort to be there at one of the concerts.  So it was that this Sassenach found himself on a chilly Friday evening in a sold out Usher Hall, Edinburgh’s opulent Edwardian concert hall, four hundred miles from home and wondering whether the long train journey and expense would be worth the effort.

 

There are several reasons why I should not have worried.  Firstly the RSNO would be led by the reliable American conductor Richard Kaufman, a personal friend of John Williams who in a nine-year career as a Hollywood studio violinist played on several of the maestro’s soundtracks, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Eiger Sanction.  His friendship and close working relationship with Williams have given him access to rarely played Williams scores that would be out of the reach of many other orchestras and conductors.  Secondly, the RSNO has recorded several John Williams albums including less well known scores such as Midway and Amazing Stories, landmark recordings that gave film music fans the opportunity to hear those scores in all their glory several years before the original soundtracks were released by specialist labels.  Quite apart from that, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is the best orchestra in Scotland and one of the best in Europe, while Scotland’s capital city is well worth a visit any time of the year (if a trip to Edinburgh Castle is not on your bucket list, it should be).

 

The concert began in spectacular style with Summon the Heroes, written for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and not heard in concert nearly as often as it should be.  Indeed I realised that I had not heard it played live since I saw John Williams himself conduct the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican as long ago as 1996 - it was the first time I ever saw my musical hero.  The RSNO more than did him justice, with three of the trumpeters stood off stage behind the orchestra, an unexpected if noisy treat for the audience members in the choir seats.  Afterwards maestro Kaufman joked, “That was your ballad for the evening” before promising that the orchestra would play some “more exciting” pieces later on!  A fellow audience member was overheard explaining to his companion that the piece was written for the Los Angeles Olympics in 1990, somehow managing to get both the venue and the year completely wrong.  Mate, the programmes cost only a quid.

 

Next up was Hymn to the Fallen from the end credits of Saving Private Ryan, the trumpet duo played brilliantly by RSNO principal Chris Hart (as he did in the first piece) and Marcus Pope, replicating the sound of Tim Morrison and Thomas Rolfs from the original soundtrack.  While there was no choir, it was a great opportunity to hear live the RSNO’s top class brass section so familiar to film music fans.

 

This would be followed by another first for me, a performance of the concert version of Jim’s New Life from another Spielberg film, Empire of the Sun.  In the film the music accompanies a scene in which Jim (Christian Bale) carries out a number of errands in a Japanese internment camp.  Kaufman took the piece at a good tempo, much closer to that of the film version and certainly quicker than the tempo that John Williams often conducts it.  Dare I say that a quicker tempo improves this fine scherzo?

 

This was followed by the first of two pieces not composed by John Williams that we would hear this evening, Maurice Jarre’s Overture from Lawrence of Arabia.  The piece owed its welcome inclusion in the concert to the fact that David Lean’s epic had been a great inspiration to Steven Spielberg in his formative years.  The percussion section earned their corn in this one, especially timpani player John Poulter who must have relished the chance to perform those bombastic opening bars penned by a composer whose primary instrument was the kettle drums.

 

The remainder of the first half really showcased the diversity of John Williams, starting with an outstanding performance of the concert version of The People’s House from Spielberg’s biopic Lincoln.  I am a sucker for that Coplandesque Americana that John Williams does so well in this score.  Again the gorgeous trumpet solo was played flawlessly by principal Chris Hart, who fully deserved the audience’s ovation afterwards.

 

The Duel from The Adventures of Tintin was another concert first for me, Kaufman explaining that it was one of several pieces that are not usually available for orchestras to perform but that John Williams had been gracious enough to lend him from his personal library.  Williams famously conducted the piece at the Hollywood Bowl to an on-screen montage of famous sword fights from movie history featuring the swashbuckling likes of Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, Stewart Granger and, erm, Kermit the Frog, but the music is more than capable of holding its own without the aid of visual images.  It was good to see the string players acknowledged afterwards by conductor Kaufman who no doubt empathised as a fellow violinist familiar with the challenges of playing a John Williams film cue, especially one so frenetic in nature.

 

The penultimate piece before the interval may well have been the highlight of the evening for me.  The theme from the Richard Dreyfuss / Holly Hunter weepy Always is hardly ever played in concert and was another piece specially loaned by the composer for the RSNO concerts.  Pianist Lynda Cochrane and guest principal horn player Andrew McLean deserve particular credit for their performances in a version identical to that recorded for Sony Classical’s Spielberg / Williams Collaboration CD in 1990.  Taking us into the interval was the Flying Theme from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, always a popular choice at Williams concerts even if I was spoiled by the live to picture performance by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra just after Christmas.

 

Beginning the second half of the concert was the legendary shark theme from Jaws, the first Williams score on which tonight’s conductor had performed as a studio musician.  As is often the case, the opening string chord was accompanied by nervous laughter from many in the audience, in much the same way that Bernard Herrmann’s music for the shower scene in Psycho is now seemingly cause for mirth and merriment rather than terror.  It was a punchy, exciting performance and a bonus to see it conducted by someone who had played on the original sessions way back in 1975.  Unlike in the original sessions however, I did not see any of the violinists covering their eyes because they were too scared to watch the film!  Tuba player John Whitener was invited to take a bow afterwards.

 

Any concert tribute to John Williams and Steven Spielberg must include music from an Indiana Jones film and here we had Marion’s Theme in addition to the ubiquitous but always brilliant Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Williams arranged the former fairly recently, around the time of the disappointing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, a concert version of the theme for Karen Allen’s feisty heroine in the original movie.  The RSNO’s performance of the Raiders March sounded probably as close to the London Symphony Orchestra’s film version as I have heard it played.  There was further applause when maestro Kaufman hinted afterwards that there would be a special announcement regarding Raiders of the Lost Ark and the RSNO that we would not want to miss.  I think you can guess what it is!

 

It was interesting to see alto saxophonist Simon Haram again reprising Closing In, the first movement of the three-part concert suite Escapades that Williams adapted from his Catch Me If You Can score.  He had performed the same piece with the Philharmonia Orchestra down in London at the Royal Festival Hall just a few weeks ago in their Spielberg at 70 tribute concert, so is obviously one of the go to guys when an alto saxophone is needed.  It is always fun to watch the orchestra members’ finger clicking and ‘shushing’ whenever this piece is played in concert.

 

The second and final non-Williams selection was Henry Mancini’s Peter Gunn theme, the Williams connection being that he had played the piano on the original soundtrack recording.  This was enormous fun, with several of the RSNO musicians giving extended improvised solos, most notably principal trombone Davur Juul Magnussen who I can safely say is the only trombonist I have ever seen from the Faroe Islands.  As I left Usher Hall after the concert I overheard a fellow concertgoer asking her husband, who was humming the Peter Gunn theme, “Was that Dragnet?  Or The Thin Man?”  [Insert face palm gif of your choice here].

 

This was followed by the European premiere of Flight and Technology, the final movement of John Williams’s American Journey suite adapted from his score for the Spielberg short film The Unfinished Journey premiered at the millennium celebrations at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.  Maestro Kaufman related how when sharing conducting duties with Williams at last year’s Tanglewood Film Night he had wondered whether it would be appropriate to include any of John Williams's music in his half of the concert, to which Williams had responded, “No, you should - that’s why they’re coming!”  You see, the “I know, but they’re all dead” one liner is not the only gag in John Williams’s repertoire, the man’s a funny guy.

 

As a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, the concert ended with the only Williams selection not written for a film directed by Steven Spielberg, the Throne Room and End Title from Star Wars.  The rapturous applause that greeted the final notes subsided only when Richard Kaufman turned to the orchestra to give us a little something extra from the Dark Side, the Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back.

 

All in all this was a five star concert and I would love to return some day if Edinburgh will have me back!

 

 

[Jay 45,133]

Sounds like a cool show!

[Biodome 725]

Wow, what a nice description of the concert! I thought that the booklet was an interesting read, but what you've said about the pieces was even more informative!

 

I couldn't add much to what you've said about the performances, so I'll just say that this was my first ever live concert featuring John Williams' works, and I really and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's such a great feeling to hear the music being performed before your own eyes, instead of listening to it digitally. I also made a few friends in the Usher Hall - the audience around me was amazing, ranging from small kids to the elderly. During the Indiana Jones theme some of them even began "conducting" the orchestra, clearly loving the music. It's fun to see how these scores unite so many people from so many generations. Many composers would dream of creating even a single good iconic theme, but Williams' career is full of them, making concerts like these no less powerful than concerts featuring any of the great world musicians.

 

As a side note, one interesting thing I recall from the concert is from the beginning of the Jaws theme. Did you notice how Lynda Cochrane played the piano not by hitting the keys, but by plucking the strings with her fingers? I had never seen that technique before, and it made for a nice effect, somewhat similar to what a harp would do, but with a different, distinct quality. I wonder if that's actually in the score, and if that's how Jaws is usually played, because I don't recall hearing that sound when I listened to the theme before.

[Maurizio 6,744]

On ‎27‎/‎02‎/‎2017 at 4:53 PM, Omen II said:

Maestro Kaufman related how when sharing conducting duties with Williams at last year’s Tanglewood Film Night he had wondered whether it would be appropriate to include any of John Williams's music in his half of the concert, to which Williams had responded, “No, you should - that’s why they’re coming!” 

 

Beautiful report, Omen II! And beautiful-looking hall with a huge pipe organ.

[Omen II 1,297]

Grazie, Maurizio!  Yes, Usher Hall is a lovely venue and with good acoustics to boot.

 

4 hours ago, Biodome said:

 

As a side note, one interesting thing I recall from the concert is from the beginning of the Jaws theme. Did you notice how Lynda Cochrane played the piano not by hitting the keys, but by plucking the strings with her fingers? I had never seen that technique before, and it made for a nice effect, somewhat similar to what a harp would do, but with a different, distinct quality. I wonder if that's actually in the score, and if that's how Jaws is usually played, because I don't recall hearing that sound when I listened to the theme before.

 

I did indeed notice this, @Biodome.  The low sonorities heard at the opening of the Jaws theme are usually a combination of the harp, low piano and bass drum whenever I have seen the piece played by other orchestras such as the LSO or CBSO.  This was the first time I can remember the pianist strumming the lowest register strings rather than touching the keys softly.  I would like to think that perhaps Richard Kaufman had some insider knowledge from the original sessions that he was able to share with the orchestra.

 

I am glad you enjoyed your first John Williams concert.  You certainly picked a good one to start with!  Make sure you get a ticket to Raiders of the Lost Ark live with the RSNO when they go on sale tomorrow.  I saw it in London last year and it was superb.

[KingPin 247]

4 hours ago, Biodome said:

As a side note, one interesting thing I recall from the concert is from the beginning of the Jaws theme. Did you notice how Lynda Cochrane played the piano not by hitting the keys, but by plucking the strings with her fingers? I had never seen that technique before, and it made for a nice effect, somewhat similar to what a harp would do, but with a different, distinct quality. I wonder if that's actually in the score, and if that's how Jaws is usually played, because I don't recall hearing that sound when I listened to the theme before.

 

The sheet music for the piano part just says "very low rumble both hands". I have seen this done most commonly on the actual keys, but I've also seen a Boston Pops video where the pianist used percussion mallets to gently roll on the lowest piano strings. Seems to be subject to the musicians' and/or conductor's interpretation.

[Omen II 1,297]

It looks as though Richard Kaufman will be returning to Scotland to conduct the RSNO again next year (2019), firstly in March for concerts devoted to the music of Harry Potter then in April for concerts devoted to the music of John Williams.  It will be interesting to see if there are any more unusual / rarely played Williams selections, as is his wont, when details of the concerts are announced.