Conversations - New Chamber (piano solo) by John Williams

[Muad'Dib 1,801]

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

Sigh....

Let me rephrase that.

Sure. But the fact that his repertoire in this area is so skinny could explains why this is so comparatively un-engaging!

I enjoy it as a John Williams piece, in the sense that it's always interesting to hear how his musical brain thinks and what it comes up with, but that is entirely different thing from this being an engaging piece of music.

This is coffee-shop music, written by a composer who doesn't often write coffee shop. You can certainly masturbate to his choice of rests and note pairings, but that's a bit like masturbating to the type of nails IM Pei chose to nail his backyard shed together with on a free weekend.

Now you can sigh all you want about that, but I have a feeling this thread is gonna get very...sticky soon in response to my disparaging comments, so I'm outta here!

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

You want to destroy the thread and run away. You coward.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

AND BEFORE I LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON THE WAY OUT...

I just want to say that Marcus' "4 Memento Mori" is far more engaging and satisfying piano music than anything on this bloody album.

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

You're kidding yourself if you think there'll be outrage. No, no one will piss themselves over this like they did when I said I don't like E.T.

The people don't care about this music. It's simple. This is JWFilmScoreFan, not JWFan.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

You're kidding yourself if you think there'll be outrage. No, no one will piss themselves over this like they did when I said I don't like E.T.

The people don't care about this music. It's simple. This is JWFilmScoreFan, not JWFan.

Well if it's any consolation, I don't like ET either. Never have. I appreciate it because I am a John Williams fan, but I don't like it.

If my favorite composer is writing music I like all the time, he's probably not pushing himself outside of his comfort zone, and I don't want that.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You two are soulless idiots!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

You two are soulless idiots!

You have no idea what you've started, Stefan!

[Wojo 2,453]

Aren't we all soulless, mister I don't need a thousand years of myth to enrich my life?

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

AND BEFORE I LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON THE WAY OUT...

I just want to say that Marcus' "4 Memento Mori" is far more engaging and satisfying piano music than anything on this bloody album.

The fourth movement is perhaps more engaging than the Giacchino and Newman pieces.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

AND BEFORE I LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON THE WAY OUT...

I just want to say that Marcus' "4 Memento Mori" is far more engaging and satisfying piano music than anything on this bloody album.

The fourth movement is perhaps more engaging than the Giacchino and Newman pieces.

I'm curious, what do you like about the Williams piece?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Aren't we all soulless, mister I don't need a thousand years of myth to enrich my life?

Christianity has nothing to do with soul

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

AND BEFORE I LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON THE WAY OUT...

I just want to say that Marcus' "4 Memento Mori" is far more engaging and satisfying piano music than anything on this bloody album.

The fourth movement is perhaps more engaging than the Giacchino and Newman pieces.

I'm curious, what do you like about the Williams piece?

I hear an old man taking a smokey nocturnal stroll through time back to his youth to have a few words with some gentlemen who were the most distinctive influences on his musical voice. He nods his head at each, and slowly moves on.

I'm rarely more "engaged" by a piece than when I sense that sort of intimate and personal journey taking place.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

AND BEFORE I LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON THE WAY OUT...

I just want to say that Marcus' "4 Memento Mori" is far more engaging and satisfying piano music than anything on this bloody album.

The fourth movement is perhaps more engaging than the Giacchino and Newman pieces.

I'm curious, what do you like about the Williams piece?

I hear an old man taking a smokey nocturnal stroll through time back to his youth to have a few words with some gentlemen who were the most distinctive influences on his musical voice. He nods his head at each, and slowly moves on.

I'm rarely more "engaged" by a piece than when I sense that sort of intimate and personal journey taking place.

Hmmm...I'll give it a shot. Maybe I've been listening to it in the wrong places.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

Alright, I confess, Conversations is growing on me. It does help to listen to it in a more fitting context than on a bright sunny afternoon.

Still not a fan of the performance. But I see the goodness of the piece!

[thx99 1,740]

From the Montage: Great Film Composers and the Piano - CD & Film Facebook page:

 

 Here's a great clip of Gloria performing the world premiere of "Conversations" by John Williams during the Piano Spheres concert series. Here she can be seen playing Movement III: "Chet and Miles", with a special appearance by the composer.

 

 

[Mari 279]

I received a Kickstarter update from Gloria today:

 

Quote

 

Dear All 98 of You*,

The UCLA Music Library has invited us to screen the finished movie and to play a mini-recital from the CD on Saturday, October 15, at UCLA Schoenberg Hall. The composers and producer will be there for a Q&A afterwards.

Tickets are free, but you'll need to reserve.
https://www.library.ucla.edu/events/montage

I wanted you to be the first to know!
Hope to see you there,
Gloria

 

 

*I'm one of the 98 :)

[Thor 7,465]

I didn't know there was a film too (yeah, yeah....I'm sure it's been discussed before). Cool! I'm also curious if ALL the composers will attend, or just a selection. Give us a report, Mari!

[thx99 1,740]

I'm sure it's been posted before, but here's a trailer (of sorts):

 

 

[Thor 7,465]

Thanks, thx. I don't think I saw that before, even if it was posted in this thread previously.

[Jay 37,287]

You commented on it when it was originally posted Thor :)

On 1/7/2015 at 2:23 AM, Koray Savas said:

 

 

On 1/7/2015 at 11:31 AM, Thor said:

Yes, indeed. Blind buy. But I'm almost looking equally much forward to the full documentary.

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You love doing that, don't you?

[Thor 7,465]

Ha, ha...I was just waiting for that!

[Jay 37,287]

Looking forward to see the new Q&A, hopefully it gets posted online

[Mari 279]

Received in a Montage kickstarter email update:

 

Quote

The event tonight is completely sold out, and there are more than 60 on the waiting list! But you can watch it online here, begins at 8pm PDT.  Here is the link to watch: https://www.schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/school-of-music-live-streams

 

Unfortunately, I'm not in California won't be able to attend, but I am looking forward to seeing the live stream coverage.

[David Story 57]

Here's the info:

Description

Please join the UCLA Music Library for a documentary film screening and recital from Grammy award-winning pianist Gloria Cheng.

In 2015, Gloria Cheng launched MONTAGE: Great film composers and the piano, a CD and documentary film featuring solo works composed for her by leading artists in the industry, Bruce Broughton, Don Davis, Alexandre Desplat, Michael Giacchino, Randy Newman and John Williams. 

Following the film and performance will be a panel with Cheng and the award-winning composers, moderated by Ben Proudfoot, MONTAGE executive producer.

Presented by the UCLA Music Library with funding from the Hugo Davise Fund for Contemporary Music. Programs and events, such as this one, are possible thanks to generous donations from people like you. If you would like to support the work of the UCLA Music Library, please click here to make your gift today!

For more information about Montage, please visit the Facebook page.

Seating is limited. Due to a high expected demand, advance reservations are required to attend the event. Please note ticketholders arriving after 7:55 will forfeit their reservation. If stand-by tickets are offered, they will only be available the day of event once all patrons with tickets have been seated.

I have seen the film and heard the phenomenal Gloria Cheng play afterwards. It's a wonderful film, beautiful images and crystal sound. She has been touring the film around the US and Canada, as part of her very busy schedule. http://www.gloriachengpiano.com/gloria_cheng_performances.html
I'm told 5 of the composers will be there tonight. I will be there tonight, traffic permitting!

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

This is a great album, eh? The Williams and Davis pieces get a lot of airtime from me, but the Desplat is probably my favorite.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Proudfeet!

[David Story 57]

On 9/26/2016 at 3:36 PM, Mari said:

*I'm one of the 98

Thanks Mari, you helped make it possible

A great album....
Well, the film is lovely. The recital will be brilliant. The album is an experiment that sometimes works. I like Conversations and Family Album, they are great to hear live. The artists with extensive concert experience write pretty good concert music. There's even a YT clip of Randy Newman playing a fun section of Family Album. 
BTW, please forgive the big image, I thought it'd be smaller.
Can you change the size of an image in a post?

[Jay 37,287]

That's not too big at all, its perfectly fine

[Thor 7,465]

I can't see any picture?!

 

But I'm very interested in knowing more about the documentary premiere; I think I saw ONE photo of the event, and Williams was there.

[Jay 37,287]

Yes you can.  He's referring to the image 5 posts before yours

[Thor 7,465]

Ah, that. I thought it was a picture of the event I was missing.

[Mari 279]

On 10/15/2016 at 3:02 PM, David Story said:

I'm told 5 of the composers will be there tonight. I will be there tonight, traffic permitting!

 

 

Were you able to attend? I watched the livestream and enjoyed it but I could tell the audience was having an even better time with the music and the composers.

 

Here's a few pictures from Neal Acree's Intsagram:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Oh man, Randy Newman and John Williams sat next to each other to listen to each other's solo piano compositions.  Once in a lifetime!

[artguy360 1,843]

Is the livestream archived anywhere? I checked their website but it wasn't there. I'd love to watch it if possible.

[TownerFan 4,983]

Here's Jon Burlingame's report:

 

http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2016/101716.html

 

Quote

Referring to the new pieces, Williams said, "All this music reflects our feelings, characteristics, experiences, personalities and so on. It's inescapable, really, like one's handwriting or thumbprint."

 

[Miguel Andrade 1,260]

10 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

Oh man, Randy Newman and John Williams sat next to each other to listen to each other's solo piano compositions.  Once in a lifetime!

 

Actually, Newman was a guest at one Evening at Pops concert, back in 1991, and even shared conducting duties with Williams.

[Thor 7,465]

John Williams knows all the Newmans very well; in fact, they're like his 'extended family', or so he's said -- from way back when he worked with Alfred and Lionel. So that's not so surprising. I got a bigger kick out of seeing Williams and Morricone together earlier this year.

 

Thanks for the photos and updates, though (that Neal Acree is a lucky bastard!). I really hope we get to see this documentary soon.

[TownerFan 4,983]

Burlingame says in the article that the documentary is available on Vimeo on demand:

 

 

[thx99 1,740]

2 hours ago, TownerFan said:

Burlingame says in the article that the documentary is available on Vimeo on demand:

 

 

 

Well that's a bit of a surprise/disappointment for those of us who contributed at a level that was to provide us with a "Digital download of our finished DOCUMENTARY FILM before we upload it to YouTube" (emphasis added).  Granted, it's on Vimeo, not YouTube, but it's the principle.  Off to email Ms. Cheng...

[Thor 7,465]

If you contributed to the project, you should at least be able to watch the Vimeo video for free.

[Thor 7,465]

13 hours ago, TownerFan said:

Here's Jon Burlingame's report:

 

http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2016/101716.html

 

 

 

...and the pic from the article:

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

1 hour ago, Thor said:

 

 

"Gentleman, Don Williams has called all the heads of the film score families together to decide what to do about Mikey muscling in on Alexandre's job. Our friends from Europe are not pleased about these developments. Don Ennio from the old country has even threatened to pull out Herr Zimmer and all of the German family. The heirs of Jarre and Delerue demand retribution!" Don Bruce Broughton.

 

"Look, we all love Mikey. He's like a son to me. But I promised the gig to Alexandre myself. How could this have happened?" - Don Williams

 

"With all due respect Don Williams, but i say fuck em'! We don't need those Europeans. If Don Ennio pulls back Zimmer and his goons we can reclaim the scoring stages in Hollywood and Canada! I've spoken to Don Shore, he will support us of a war breaks out." - Don Bruce

 

"What good is the support of a man who starts one chapter of a trilogy on his own, and then has to bring in an orchestrator?" - Don Williams

 

"But Don Williams, even you...with The Force Awa..." - Don Bruce

 

"That was different. At the time I could not divulge the truth, so I told Stevie to cook up some story about me getting a pacemaker. But they nearly got me, my friend." - Don Williams

 

"Who would dare this?" - Don Bruce

 

"Mikey...it was Mikey Giacchino. I asked him to swallow his pride and accept that I would score this one JJ  Abrams film. He hugged me and kissed my head. But in his eyes I could see the hatred. Thats why he tried to kill me. Thats why he muscled out Alexandre." - Don Williams

 

"My apologies Don Williams. But then we must deal with Mikey...tonight! The whole Newman family has pledged itself to you!" - Don Randy

 

"Thank you, my friend. But I fear for the moment Mikey is beyond our reach. Disney needs him to finish some projects. We can't upset them and risk losing them to Herr Zimmer. I'm using all my influence to keep him away from the new Lion King." - Don Williams

 

"Damn that fucking kraut stealing some of the best jobs. His Superman was a travesty. And a personal insult to you!" - John Ottman

 

"Business is business. But our agent has been planted in the Zimmer family long ago. When the time comes our friend Mr. Holkenborg will deal with the German." - Don Williams

 

"I swear it Don Williams! I hate those krauts! They stole my grandfathers bicycle in the war. And in 1974 they took the World Championship Football throphy from us, and never let us forget it!" - Don Holkenborg

 

"Your loyalty means a lot to me, my friend. Go back to the Germans. But first visit Don Ennio and give him my regards, and apologies for what happened with Alexandre. Once we take care if Mikey, you will be the future of film music!" - Don Williams.

 

 

 

[Incanus 5,713]

That whole thing should be underscored by Williams' main theme from Monsignor.

[Thor 7,465]

Don Williams? What does John's baby brother's gotta do with it?

 

[David Story 57]

On 10/17/2016 at 3:38 PM, Mari said:

 

Were you able to attend? I watched the livestream and enjoyed it but I could tell the audience was having an even better time with the music and the composers.

 

Yes, thanks! I was in the front row for an amazing concert at UCLA. A standing room only crowd for Gloria Cheng, a consummate artist, performing music of John Williams, Bruce Broughton, Michael Giacchino, Alexandre Desplat, Don Davis, and Randy Newman! You can see a few of those amazing people behind me in the light.

Gloria is a multi-Grammy winning pianist who works with great concert composers like Adams and Boulez. She asked some of the film composers she knows (she also records soundtracks) to write piano works. Then she ran a successful Kickstarter to fund the recording and documentary. Called MONTAGE (it's here on fb).
 

In concert all the works shone. This was one of the most thrilling and memorable concerts I've ever seen. I never thought a piano recital could be all that. But the music is a fascinating experiment and Gloria has astounding technique and near-telepathic ability to convey both simple and intricate ideas. Having the composers there was even more fun! A standing ovation by a joyful audience!
 

I will mention Conversations by John Williams for it's mercurial tonalities and sense of timeless thought. Five Pieces for Piano by Bruce Broughton, the work that inspired the entire project. And Family Album by Randy Newman, songs without words that convey life in old Hollywood.
 

The panel afterwards was truly insightful, a group of master composers who had great respect for each other and for the craft. And were hilariously non-stop funny. Sample quote "Everything I learned in film I can apply to concert music, but concert training doesn't necessarily work in film". "It helps to have a good idea".

A bit of the beautiful documentary, fun and inspiring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52WrNa51E-0

Now on Vimeo.

(I've spoken with all of the composers here. This is the first time I observed them give so much respect towards a performer.)

I saw old friends made some great new friends, my fellow fans

 

 

 

[Thor 7,465]

1 hour ago, David Story said:

She asked some of the film composers she knows (she also records soundtracks) to write piano works. Then she ran a successful Kickstarter to fund the recording and documentary. Called MONTAGE (it's here on fb).

 

I like how you introduced your post by this, as if none of us have heard of this project or discussed it before, LOL!  However, thanks for the report! Sounds like a wonderful evening.

 

 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

He might not know the history of this website community being instrumental in funding the project!

 

Fantastic report, David.  I'm so jealous!

[Jilal 569]

On 19-10-2016 at 11:03 AM, Thor said:

Don Williams? What does John's baby brother's gotta do with it?

 

 

The speakers at the back are interesting.