Popular Post Jay 37,372 Posted November 21, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2016 Premiering Sunday, July 16th 2017 at Tanglewood https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/85537 JUL 16 2017 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM Andris Nelsons conducts Williams, Tchaikovsky and Berlioz featuring violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter Tanglewood Koussevitzky Music Shed - Lenox, MA - View Map Featured Performers Andris Nelsons, conductor Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin PROGRAM NOTES AUDIO John WILLIAMS - Markings, for solo violin, strings, and harp (world premiere) TCHAIKOVSKY - Violin Concerto BERLIOZ - Symphonie fantastique (52 min) Marcus, Pieter Boelen, Cerebral Cortex and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUL 16 2017 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM Andris Nelsons conducts Williams, Tchaikovsky and Berlioz featuring violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter Tanglewood Koussevitzky Music Shed - Lenox, MA - View Map
mrbellamy 6,289 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I would just like to say that I totally called it. Cerebral Cortex and Disco Stu 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Clearly this is the piece mentioned in the Jon Burlingame Variety article Quote Williams may also compose a concert work [“for one of my favorite European artists,” whom he declined to name] this summer. Concert work has increasingly occupied him between films, including concertos for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Gil Shaham and others. He is also committed to writing “a couple of minutes of music” for an animated version of retiring L.A. Laker great Kobe Bryant’s poem “Dear Basketball.” http://variety.com/2016/film/spotlight/john-williams-afi-1201792072-1201792072/ And also, Andre Previn once told a story about how Mutter asked Williams to write a piece for her! Quote I admire Johnny Williams. He’s very good at what he does, and he writes very good themes. Now, Anne-Sophie made him an offer. She said, “Why don’t you write me a concerto?” And he said, “Oh, I don’t write that kind of music.” And she said, “Yes, you do. You write beautiful themes.” FJO: But he wrote a trombone concerto? AP: Did he? FJO: It’s a pretty solid piece. AP: He also wrote a bassoon concerto, which I like very much. Anyway, he back pedaled on that, but she kept asking and just recently he said, “Look, I’m not going to write one. I’m just not. I can’t do it. I haven’t got the background for it, and I don’t think I want to.” And she said O.K. But she said to me, “This is silly, because I’d play it everywhere.” I’ve known Johnny ever since we were both rehearsal pianists at a ballroom dancing school on La Brea Avenue. We used to take turns playing “Blueberry Hill.” Oh boy. Anyway, I don’t think he is willing to gamble with his own talent. He’s wonderfully talented and a tremendous orchestrator, but he doesn’t believe it. And a big piece—it’s a lot of pages. I don’t think that he has belief enough in his own talent, even though he has more than enough talent to do it. FJO: Maybe it’s taking him too far out of his comfort zone in terms of the context. AP: Comfort zone? He’s a millionaire. FJO: I mean his comfort zone creatively. AP: Oh, sure. http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/andre-previn-how-lucky-i-am-now/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Yeah, the Mutter story goes way back. Glad to see it's become a reality. Maybe the ol', proposed Placido Domingo opera will get back on track too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,670 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 What I am missing? Had not Williams already wrote his violin concerto when the above conversation took place? Why would Williams proceed to say he would not know how to write "that kind of music?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 2 minutes ago, Tom said: What I am missing? Well.... 2 minutes ago, Tom said: Had not Williams already wrote his violin concerto when the above conversation took place? Exactly. He had not. 2 minutes ago, Tom said: Why would Williams proceed to say he would not know how to write "that kind of music?" Because he's humble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,670 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I guess I did not realize Mutter has been performing since the early 70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 The Previn interview is from 2015. I don't think Mutter has been asking Williams for a piece since the 70's. The way Previn puts it make it sound odd, but the story might have been slightly different, Williams declining because he feels there isn't anything more he can add to the repertoire of the violin, and is too busy doing film work... I do recall a interview with Mutter from a couple of years ago, where she mentions how she would love Williams would write something for her, but that he kept declining because he is always too busy with film music. Honestly, as much a great musician Previn is, he sometimes sounds a bit over the top with his recollections. WilliamsStarShip2282 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artguy360 1,844 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Really looking forward to this. JW's concert works are always interesting at minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Bet this will be great. Plus, ASM is a fox. Jilal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 This is great news! Always happy with new concert work from the Maestro and it is nice to see he finally relented and composed something for Mutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandor 797 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Sounds interesting..! Can't wait for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 That story was veering dangerously close to: Mutter: I want you to write me a beautiful theme. Williams: You need a better composer. Mutter: Yes, but they're all dead. ? Pieter Boelen and pete 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 As I noted in the other thread, the instrumentation setting is similar to Leonard Bernstein's Serenade, which is a wonderful piece of music. I wonder if JW is exploring similar musical landscapes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 One of my favorite Bernstein pieces. Markings only misses the percussion. But I can see it going the same way in the more introspective passages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamsStarShip2282 308 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 On 11/21/2016 at 11:04 PM, Miguel Andrade said: The Previn interview is from 2015. I don't think Mutter has been asking Williams for a piece since the 70's. The way Previn puts it make it sound odd, but the story might have been slightly different, Williams declining because he feels there isn't anything more he can add to the repertoire of the violin, and is too busy doing film work... I do recall a interview with Mutter from a couple of years ago, where she mentions how she would love Williams would write something for her, but that he kept declining because he is always too busy with film music. Honestly, as much a great musician Previn is, he sometimes sounds a bit over the top with his recollections. Weird, because he would have written the original concerto in the 70's and then later Tree Song. Besides commissions from the really major orchestra, I wonder if he actually accepts many commissions or people ask, he has the standard no, and then one day he just writes it. Miguel Andrade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 It could also just be that Previn is getting some details incorrect in his story. Miguel Andrade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 20 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: It could also just be that Previn is getting some details incorrect in his story. Has he been Previn to be wrong before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,670 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 59 minutes ago, Jilal said: Has he been Previn to be wrong before? I think it is clear Previn is mistaken for whatever reason. He would not have pointed to the Bassoon concerto, had this been a conversation before the violin concerto (not to mention Sutter would have been like 15). I think Williams said something like "I am not the ideal composer for the job" as a polite way of turning her down. the "its not you, its me" of the music world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I'm confused what this is all about, but if I remember correctly, Previn mentioned Williams' violin concerto in an earlier interview (80s? 90s?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share Posted November 24, 2016 2 hours ago, Jilal said: Has he been Previn to be wrong before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamsStarShip2282 308 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 AP: I admire Johnny Williams. He’s very good at what he does, and he writes very good themes. Now, Anne-Sophie made him an offer. She said, “Why don’t you write me a concerto?” And he said, “Oh, I don’t write that kind of music.” And she said, “Yes, you do. You write beautiful themes.” FJO: But he wrote a trombone concerto? AP: Did he? FJO: It’s a pretty solid piece. AP: He also wrote a bassoon concerto, which I like very much. Anyway, he back pedaled on that, but she kept asking and just recently he said, “Look, I’m not going to write one. I’m just not. I can’t do it. I haven’t got the background for it, and I don’t think I want to.” And she said O.K. But she said to me, “This is silly, because I’d play it everywhere.” I’ve known Johnny ever since we were both rehearsal pianists at a ballroom dancing school on La Brea Avenue. We used to take turns playing “Blueberry Hill.” Oh boy. Anyway, I don’t think he is willing to gamble with his own talent. He’s wonderfully talented and a tremendous orchestrator, but he doesn’t believe it. And a big piece—it’s a lot of pages. I don’t think that he has belief enough in his own talent, even though he has more than enough talent to do it. FJO: Maybe it’s taking him too far out of his comfort zone in terms of the context. AP: Comfort zone? He’s a millionaire. FJO: I mean his comfort zone creatively. AP: Oh, sure. This is also kinteresting: AP: If I were still working with films, which I haven’t done now since the mid ‘60s, I would probably fall back on certain clichés that I know work since I don’t want to spend a lifetime at it. Johnny Williams wrote in Tanglewood in the bungalow next to mine, and then he’d have his orchestrator [Herbert Spencer] come up and he’d hand him whatever he was working on. Johnny handed him something that looked like Meistersinger for God’s sake, and he said, “Let me explain this to you.” Herbie looked at the music, and he said, “No, I know this one.” The orchestrator didn’t mean any insult at all, but it was funny. I could see where he could take that very badly. But on the other hand, it was probably true. It was probably done on purpose. If you write movie music, you’re never given enough time, and they don’t want to hear anything brand new anyway. So it is very likely to be things that they’ve done before. You can always tell a Korngold score. You can always tell a Rózsa score. You can always tell an Elmer Bernstein score, because it’s watered down Copland. When Elmer Bernstein got a western to do, he’d say, “Oh yeah, I did Magnificent Seven. Let’s do that again.” There’s nothing wrong with it. It worked very well. It’s interesting music. You’re not going to wrack your brain thinking of novelties in a medium that doesn’t require it anyway. A very good film composer used to be a man called Jerry Goldsmith—brilliant and interesting music. Indeed quite odd Miguel Andrade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 That wacky Previn.... Btw, Williams has never written a trombone concerto, even if he played trombone fluently in his youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamsStarShip2282 308 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I think he means the Tuba Concerto which is frequently played by trombonists But this just blows my mind. Idk if Williams was that stern but still surprising. Although I think he seems to be a rather insecure person when it comes to his concert music. In addition to this (if you can), he cut large sections out of the harp concerto before the premiere, pulled the symphony twice from being performed, has "revised" the cello concerto to death, etc. Miguel Andrade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 18 hours ago, WilliamsStarShip2282 said: Although I think he seems to be a rather insecure person when it comes to his concert music. In addition to this (if you can), he cut large sections out of the harp concerto before the premiere, pulled the symphony twice from being performed, has "revised" the cello concerto to death, etc. Gil Shaham said in a recent interview that Williams always feels like he's "in the kitchen" when it comes to his music. The fact he revises and modifies things (especially his concert music) is mostly because he likely feels he can do better. Perhaps he's just a perfectionist. He's surely one of the humblest person on the planet and probably he doesn't feel like he wants to entitle himself any kind of "Look at me, I'm a serious composer, not just a film guy!" sentiment when it comes to his concert stuff. This also means he's pretty happy about his career in film (and that's where Previn usually scolds him even though in an affectionate way, saying this like "He's too talented to be satisfied just with film work"). That's likely why he dodged many requests from soloists and musicians asking him a concert piece, at least in the first place (and he got a lot of requests from many people asking him to write this or that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Tickets go on sale January 29 10am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Technically, I could probably go to this, but it's not Williams himself and the piece will probably be a bore fest, at least on first listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 1 minute ago, Will said: Technically, I could probably go to this, but it's not Williams himself and the piece will probably be a bore fest, at least on first listen. You're asking for it, Will! Look at my clenched fists! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 26 minutes ago, Bartokus Novus said: You're asking for it, Will! Look at my clenched fists! Well, I'm just being honest... I do hope to be able to listen to it, though. Actually, I do suppose it would be a great excuse to see Tanglewood, though. My mom won't drive me to any night concerts (Parade included, massively unfortunately) but a day one like this might be fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post King Mark 3,631 Posted January 24, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted January 24, 2017 this piece is called Markings Mar Kings>>>Kings Mar>>>> He wrote a piece dedicated to me mrbellamy, A24, Marian Schedenig and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 10 hours ago, Will said: Technically, I could probably go to this, but it's not Williams himself and the piece will probably be a bore fest, at least on first listen. No Williams concert piece has been a bore feast to me, on first listen or otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 1 hour ago, Miguel Andrade said: No Williams concert piece has been a bore feast to me, on first listen or otherwise. Same here, although some of them have been very challenging listens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I mean, for instance I was listening to the Oboe Concerto and Five Sacred Trees for the first time recently, and it was a tough listen. Mind you, this isn't just limited to his concert work. Williams' work tends to grow on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 He's a grower! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 But his concert work, though? I'm not sure why some people try to convince themselves it's anything worthwile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 4 minutes ago, BloodBoal said: But his concert work, though? I'm not sure why some people try to convince themselves it's anything worthwile! Are you kidding? Soundings and Just Down West Street are delightful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 You're a bright kid, Will. But not very good in spotting sarcasm or irony. Perhaps Alvar should use emoticons, till you learn to see the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 1 hour ago, Stefancos said: You're a bright kid, Will. But not very good in spotting sarcasm or irony. Perhaps Alvar should use emoticons, till you learn to see the difference. I nearly always can spot it - and in fact my "Are you joking?" was meant to provide me cover in case it turned out to be sarcasm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Meta-sarcasm? Like a double bluff! I like it! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 5 hours ago, Will said: I mean, for instance I was listening to the Oboe Concerto and Five Sacred Trees for the first time recently, and it was a tough listen. Mind you, this isn't just limited to his concert work. Williams' work tends to grow on me. Really? I find the Bassoon and Oboe concerti among the easier listening ones in the Williams catalogue. Now, Williams works also grow on me over the years, but I guess that they are never boring, even if demanding on earlier listenings. The same thing applies to most of my favourite composers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted March 9, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 9, 2017 Gorgeous Anne-Sophie is now studying the "new cool piece by JW": Will, Muad'Dib, Jay and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bollemanneke 3,349 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Wow, Anne-Sophie Mutter... That could be really amazing! And I keep wondering why Williams's amazing concert output isn't available in some box set... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Markings, for solo violin, strings, harp, dog and fire hydrant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxbabe 28 Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Yay!! New violin concert piece!! Totally can't wait to hear this Jay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will 2,215 Posted June 21, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 21, 2017 This will be broadcast live on WCRB radio!!! http://classicalwcrb.org/programs/upcoming-bso-broadcasts?page=1 So we will get a recording. I was worried we might not, and that it then might never be performed again! Incanus, mrbellamy, Ricard and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Record! Record! I don't know if I have access to the net at that time, nor if it's available outside the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 It will be fine! No need to record this live. You can listen back everything these days. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 WCRB live stream has an higher bit rate than the on-demand files. That's why I keep having sleepless nights during the Tanglewood season. thx99 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted July 13, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 13, 2017 Program notes about the piece up on BSO website: http://bso.http.internapcdn.net/bso/images/program_notes/Williams-Markings.pdf Ricard, Will and mrbellamy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Very excited! Remember, WCRB is broadcasting this (taped, not live) Sunday night at 7 p.m. Eastern time: http://classicalwcrb.org/post/mutter-plays-williams-and-tchaikovsky#stream/0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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