Popular Post JohnnyD 1,223 Posted July 29, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2021 After comparing the lengths of ALL of the Maestro's concertos and pieces that comprise of multiple movements, I can 100% confirm that his Violin Concerto No. 2, at 35 minutes in length, is the longest piece he has composed and conducted thus far. Also, it is clearly the longest piece he has composed and conducted thus far, PERIOD. Oh, and please don't ask me to make a list of the total lengths of all his concertos and multiple movement pieces. It was time consuming enough just to compare the lengths. Falstaft, Thor, Tom and 3 others 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,658 Posted July 29, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2021 Every once in a while, deep down, I think there really is nothing new to add to the existing musical literature (classical, pop, whatever). It is just new spins on old material. But then Williams brings me back. He did it six years ago with Rey's theme and now, in terms of contemporary classical, this concerto--particularly the second and third movements. I am warming to the first as a true "prologue" and really like the fourth, but my goodness are those middle two just perfect. Will, WilliamsStarShip2282, crlbrg and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post WilliamsStarShip2282 308 Posted July 29, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2021 I'm still amazed the guy is nearly 90, not to mention his own giant body of work, he still remains really fresh. SteveMc, Falstaft, TownerFan and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,223 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 54 minutes ago, Tom said: Every once in a while, deep down, I think there really is nothing new to add to the existing musical literature (classical, pop, whatever). It is just new spins on old material. But then Williams brings me back. He did it years ago with Rey's theme and now, in terms of contemporary classical, this concerto. Wow; VERY well said. I'll go a step further and say it is any time the Maestro puts out a new work, be it a film score or concert piece. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 6 hours ago, JohnnyD said: After comparing the lengths of ALL of the Maestro's concertos and pieces that comprise of multiple movements, I can 100% confirm that his Violin Concerto No. 2, at 35 minutes in length, is the longest piece he has composed and conducted thus far. Also, it is clearly the longest piece he has composed and conducted thus far, PERIOD. Oh, and please don't ask me to make a list of the total lengths of all his concertos and multiple movement pieces. It was time consuming enough just to compare the lengths. Ha, ha. Thanks for looking and finding the strength where I had none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Mulder 154 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 I like how he can't remember the title of Attack of the Clones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinland 360 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 6 hours ago, Darth Mulder said: I like how he can't remember the title of Attack of the Clones Maybe he doesn't *want* to remember. Will and Darth Mulder 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,658 Posted August 1, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2021 Another review. Positive but not glowing, and focuses on the music versus expectations. https://artsfuse.org/233598/concert-review-john-williams-violin-concerto-no-2-at-tanglewood/ ps. I have listened to this a couple more times. The first movement's energy is infectious--I really like the orchestra's role in it. Had I heard the piece in my younger years, I probably would have dismissed it. However, the whole thing really is a treasure-trove of JW concert scoring. I could use a stronger theme, particularly in the first movement, but the "rounds" theme and "moonlight" theme make up for it as it goes. I would love to hear it in a concert hall, particularly the moments where Williams lets the orchestra take over and soar. Timo Martikainen, Will and SteveMc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 I have to say, this is really growing on me! It's enjoyable to me from start to finish now (though "Rounds" is still my favorite movement by far). One thing that is taking me a while to get used, though (I had the same problem w/ the first violin concerto, which I still have mixed feelings about): The screechy sound of the high notes on the violin is really grating to me, although the grating effect dissipates after many listens. Is that a normal reaction? I did used to play the violin myself and didn't particularly enjoy it, so it is possible that my instinctive dislike of the sound of JW's violin concertos (in comparison to, say, the cello concerto) has something to do with that LOL. It just seems like JW chooses to include an absurdly large amount of super high notes in his violin concertos. Do people actually find that pleasant to listen to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 41 minutes ago, Will said: Do people actually find that pleasant to listen to? I'm not sure it is supposed to be pleasant at all, no. Those kind of notes mark virtuosity and emotional complexity. Gives the music bite, and the some folks enjoy that bite more than others. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JohnnyD 1,223 Posted August 3, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 3, 2021 I'd just like to add that the Maestro always strives to out do himself, be it film score and concert hall. He always succeeds, of course. Specifically, he REALLY out did himself with Violin Concerto No. 2. What a beautiful, complex and deep four movement piece! SteveMc, Tom, Falstaft and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remco 685 Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/1/2021 at 11:47 PM, Will said: I have to say, this is really growing on me! It's enjoyable to me from start to finish now (though "Rounds" is still my favorite movement by far). One thing that is taking me a while to get used, though (I had the same problem w/ the first violin concerto, which I still have mixed feelings about): The screechy sound of the high notes on the violin is really grating to me, although the grating effect dissipates after many listens. Is that a normal reaction? I did used to play the violin myself and didn't particularly enjoy it, so it is possible that my instinctive dislike of the sound of JW's violin concertos (in comparison to, say, the cello concerto) has something to do with that LOL. It just seems like JW chooses to include an absurdly large amount of super high notes in his violin concertos. Do people actually find that pleasant to listen to? It sounds just fine in a live setting, but unfortunately as with all concerto recordings the violin gets mixed to the forefront a little too much for my liking. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_nev 89 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I am not sure if this is something that is acceptable to post on here (and please feel free to delete if so) but I compiled the Concerto into separate movements from the CRB link posted in another thread if anyone is interested. I can share a Dropbox link of that is something allowed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, D_nev said: I am not sure if this is something that is acceptable to post on here (and please feel free to delete if so) but I compiled the Concerto into separate movements from the CRB link posted in another thread if anyone is interested. I can share a Dropbox link of that is something allowed? No, that's not typically allowed over here on the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_nev 89 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 minute ago, SteveMc said: No, that's not typically allowed over here on the board. Just saw you added me to another thread, ill post there! hopefully people can get some enjoyment out of hearing the piece. I've been listening non-stop the past few days! I can't get enough of it. SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,658 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 And, another review. Honest and ultimately kind of positive, though one gets the sense the author has not listened to other JW concert works. https://www.artsjournal.com/condemned/2021/08/john-williams-violin-concerto-no-2-is-he-raging-at-the-force/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Doug Adams review is now up, with the new issue of Film Score Monthly. https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/fsmonline/main.cfm?issueID=201 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Geez, I've got to pay to read the review? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 All they ask from us on this forum is money! Always more money! If only we could get a little bit of skin for all that money! Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 57 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: Geez, I've got to pay to read the review? Yes. Film Score Monthly is a paid for online magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Of course, but usually a JWFan with access copies reviews that are behind payment walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Doug Adams 494 Posted August 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2021 I'll put in online for free after FSM has reached its subscribers. Short version: -It's a lot to digest -It's great -Williams and Mutter are without equals -It's gonna be hard to get this behemoth into the standard rep SteveMc, Tom, Miguel Andrade and 5 others 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 To get into the standard repertoire, he should make a concerto based on his film themes, like Korngold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 One day, an arranger will turn Star Wars into 9 symphonies... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Don't give Conrad Pope any ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Doug Adams 494 Posted August 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2021 He just did an entire album of that sort of thing! The new concerto isn't going to but a hard sell because of its quality or relatability. It's a genuinely great work. But it's A) wildly virtuosic, B) long (it'll eat up a good chunk of a standard concert ... not to mention the rehearsal time), C) expensive (it requires a large, top-notch ensemble). With Willams and Mutter on the docket, tickets will sell. Heck, I travelled nearly 2,000 miles for it! However, I could see it having a difficult journey without these two superstars attached. If young performers take it on, and if the symphonies drop a Beethoven 7 -- or even some of Williams' commercial work -- on the second half of the program, maybe .... The work deserves it. It's just the logistics that can be nasty. Here's hoping! Miguel Andrade, SteveMc and Bayesian 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I think the Violin Concerto No. 2 might just become a premier piece for top level violinists and orchestras to show their chops in recordings. The first concerto I feel has a better chance at entering the repertoire, though, with its more standard structure and thematic drive, the Adagio especially exemplifying all that. Still, that has not happened yet. But I've got to maintain that it is right up there with the Berg as one of the great violin concertos of the 20th century. Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,658 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 28 minutes ago, SteveMc said: The first concerto I feel has a better chance at entering the repertoire, though, with its more standard structure and thematic drive, the Adagio especially exemplifying all that. Still, that has not happened yet. But I've got to maintain that it is right up there with the Berg as one of the great violin concertos of the 20th century. Williams need to stop fiddling with it (sorry) and release the definitive version. I would prefer he go back to the original, but such is life. SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,223 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 One can only dream for this piece to be included in the upcoming concert with the Maestro conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. Heck, what about this piece included in a concert with the Maestro conducting the London Symphony Orchestra?!? SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 1 hour ago, Tom said: Williams need to stop fiddling with it (sorry) and release the definitive version. I would prefer he go back to the original, but such is life. The third movement in the 2016 revision is wildly different in particular. I think I like it a good deal. But I agree the original version is the one that should probably be "canon." No other version comes close to me in the power of the first movement and the aching beauty of the second. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,193 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 40 minutes ago, SteveMc said: The third movement in the 2106 revision is wildly different in particular. After 135 years, it's the least I'd expect. SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 whoops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitam 364 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 For the French-speaking or adepts of Google translate, here is a short review published on the website of Le Monde : https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2021/08/05/john-williams-un-violon-sous-les-doigts-sur-arte-tv_6090628_3246.html Bayesian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Excellent pianist? I've stopped there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitam 364 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Yeah, what a strange mistake to make, everyone knows John Williams is no pianist but is an excellent guitarist ! WilliamsStarShip2282 and Bespin 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,658 Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Here is the encore to the concerto: Jay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will 2,215 Posted August 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 23, 2021 This great segment of Rounds (18:36-19:45)... Reminds me a bit of this equally great passage from "Dream County" in The BFG (7:08-7:53)... Always cool to spot little connections between JW's concert and film work! Joni Wiljami, crlbrg, SteveMc and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt S. 493 Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 Tickets are on sale today, for the concerts at Symphony Hall. I snagged two for the Saturday night, Oct. 2 concert! https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/113990 SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SyncMan 314 Posted September 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 27, 2021 On 01/04/2021 at 7:34 PM, SyncMan said: Saturday, September 25, 2021 Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Fabio Luisi, conductor Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin https://www.dallassymphony.org/discover-connect/dso-vault/read/press-releases/dallas-symphony-orchestra-announces-programming-for-2021-22-concert-season/ Quote from press release: Apparently, none of us attended this concert, otherwise this thread would have blown-up about JW's appearance on stage after the concert. Source: Dallas Morning News With violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Fabio Luisi led a Dallas Symphony gala with some surprises (ampproject.org) Quote There was quite a surprise after the concerto when the 89-year-old Williams appeared onstage to share in the applause. He then mounted the podium and led Mutter and the orchestra in 'Nice To Be Around' from his score for the 1973 movie 'Cinderella Liberty'. It was a touching end to a memorable evening. Also from that article: Quote A video stream of the concert will be available Oct. 5 at dallassymphony.com. $10, or $125 for a streaming season pass. 214-849-4376. Until then, my suggestion would be to look-in the orchestra's Facebook page for any video clips of that concert. SteveMc, pete, Will and 4 others 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 1 hour ago, SyncMan said: Apparently, none of us attended this concert, otherwise this thread would have blown-up about JW's appearance on stage after the concert. Source: Dallas Morning News With violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Fabio Luisi led a Dallas Symphony gala with some surprises (ampproject.org) I can't read this article, full screen popups asking me to pay to use their site. Can you help us out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Holko 9,526 Posted September 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 27, 2021 8 minutes ago, Jay said: I can't read this article, full screen popups asking me to pay to use their site. Can you help us out? Quote How do you throw a gala during of a worldwide pandemic still killing people? How do you compose a violin concerto in such circumstances? The Dallas Symphony Orchestra answered both questions Saturday night at the Meyerson Symphony Center, not always predictably. Deliberately limited because of COVID, attendance at both gala concert and pre-performance dinner was about half that of previous years. Ladies seemed to sport fewer eye-popping gowns. Mine was not the only tux that seemed to have “shrunk” in the two years since the last gala. But the audience was visibly and audibly excited to be there. The concert was hardly gala business-as-usual, although music director Fabio Luisi certainly showed off the orchestra in the Strauss Don Juan that opened the program. There was a star soloist in violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, although she’s less known in this country than in Europe and on recordings. (Amazingly, this was her first DSO appearance.) Instead of a predictable showpiece, she played a hefty concerto only two months old that didn’t immediately give up its secrets. It was however the work of one of today’s most famous composers. If John Williams is best known for his brilliant film scores, he has also produced major concert works. He has also worked with Mutter on a number of projects, and his Violin Concerto No. 2 was composed for, and premiered by, her last July, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Europe was in turmoil when Haydn titled one of his masses in angustiis — in time of trouble. Has Williams given us a COVID concerto? Imaging composers’ inspirations is risky business. But at least on first hearing this new concerto seems very much a work for our times, shifting restlessly among dreamy, untethered musings for the violin, anxious jitters and angry orchestral outbursts. An important harp part tries to soothe anxieties; strings sometimes conjure up hushed, disembodied clouds of support. The four-movement structure is hardly evident as such, but Williams is a master of sonic drama and orchestral nuance. There’s much of interest here, with complex and often dissonant harmonies and rhythmic ambiguities. At 35 minutes’ duration, does it coalesce into a convincing whole? Would it be better with some tightening? Those questions did occur. Violin soloist Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, directed by Fabio Luisi, perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, TX, on Sep. 25, 2021. (Jason Janik / Special Contributor) But it’s hard to imagine a more committed performance than we heard Saturday night. From those out-of-body musings to jagged double-stops in several cadenzas, Mutter displayed awesome technical command. Her generous tone had just the right bit of grain when it counted. With unfailingly clear and expressive direction from Luisi, the orchestra served up every twist and turn, every nuance, with assurance. Principal harpist Emily Levin lent quiet comfort. The Strauss, too, was brilliantly played. Luisi is a master of such theatrical fare, and the orchestra delivered dazzling frenzies, but also tender seductions. Principal oboist Erin Hannigan spun out solos of melting beauty. There was quite a surprise after the concerto when the 89-year-old Williams appeared onstage to share in the applause. He then mounted the podium and led Mutter and the orchestra in “Nice To Be Around,” from his score for the 1973 movie Cinderella Liberty. It was a touching end to a memorable evening. Details A video stream of the concert will be available Oct. 5 at dallassymphony.com. $10, or $125 for a streaming season pass. 214-849-4376. Will, Smeltington and Jay 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 Oh he conducted the encore, that's awesome! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jocores 96 Posted September 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 28, 2021 According to Doug Adams, the concerto will be recorded by the end of the week! Williams is on fire! https://twitter.com/DougAdamsMusic/status/1442619707035734016?s=20 Jay, pete, SteveMc and 8 others 5 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,658 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 I wonder if Williams went to Dallas to hear it live to see if he needs to mess with it before the recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Went to Dallas to hear it live? He was the conducter when it premiered at Tanglewood this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,223 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 6 hours ago, jocores said: According to Doug Adams, the concerto will be recorded by the end of the week! Williams is on fire! https://twitter.com/DougAdamsMusic/status/1442619707035734016?s=20 YES!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,658 Posted September 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Jay said: Went to Dallas to hear it live? He was the conducter when it premiered at Tanglewood this summer. I would think being the audience versus conducting would allow one to focus on different things. Will, Smeltington, Remco and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Or he just forgot. Smeltington 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,658 Posted September 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: Or he just forgot. "This is an excellent concerto--I wonder who wrote it. I bet the dissonance has to do with Covid. Covid sucks." Will, Smeltington, crlbrg and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 On 06/08/2021 at 11:59 PM, Doug Adams said: The work deserves it. It's just the logistics that can be nasty. Here's hoping! He should make a chamber arrangement. For Yo Yo, Itzhak, the cookie woman, and the guitar guy. 3 hours ago, Tom said: "This is an excellent concerto--I wonder who wrote it. I bet the dissonance has to do with Covid. Covid sucks." The C&C* Concerto *Covid & cookies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now