John Williams interviewed by Conrad Pope (about Conrad Salinger)

[Sunshine Reger 3,609]

I don't know if it has already been posted, but in case it hasn't been, I'm relaying the news:

Link:

https://www.asmac.org/?fbclid=IwAR2yqpY5R2RkVCq7iAkY2qRWQ5w3vXRvWKw32aqD0nKStSlwk4Rwi_-9yOQ

 

[Falstaft 2,175]

Just listened to this. What a pleasure. Even if you aren't particularly interested in orchestration or Hollywood film music history, this chat is a delight.

[Doo_liss 6,639]

Ah, the dude who did additional cues for Rozsa's All The Brothers Were Valiant!

[Sunshine Reger 3,609]

Interesting that Williams was on friendly terms with Milton Babbitt

[Holko 10,401]

2 minutes ago, The River (Fal) said:

Rosza

[Doo_liss 6,639]

44 minutes ago, Holko said:

My lesdyxia strikes again

[Will 2,254]

Ah yes, Salinger, the man responsible for this masterpiece of orchestration:

 

 

[JohnnyD 1,330]

Cool.

[crumbs 14,904]

So, John's just like one of us! He wants to hear every note!

 

Quote

"Frederick Rowe, the composer, didn't like Connie's re-harmonizations and his bass notes and so on. And made Connie re-score these things, some of them, to Rowe's satisfaction. I've always thought how wonderful it would be if we could ever study the Salinger originals with the Frederick Rowe approved final ones, to see what the difference might have been. A study we'll probably never have a chance to make but something I remember very, very clearly."

 

[Joni Wiljami 1,212]

Except Thor.

[publicist 4,647]

Geez, do they ever soundcheck these things? Pope is barely audible.

[crumbs 14,904]

I really hope the line to Williams was clearer, Pope was barely intelligible!

[Tom 5,150]

To those who wish interviewers would ask Williams more questions about his art and early days, this is a very good source.  Obviously, the focus is not on him (which is probably why he is so forthcoming), but he provides lots of little details on his working conditions, the musical environment of the time (which he reflects upon almost mournfully), and other little bits.  Good stuff all around.  

[TownerFan 5,267]

THis is just amazing. Getting the Maestro to talk about such a topic is a delight. The little postcards he recollects from those magical days of Hollywood music-making are enough to let you feel how cool must have been to be around in those days.

 

It also confirms that Williams imho gives the best interviews when talking with fellow composers/musicians instead of journalists.

[crumbs 14,904]

18 minutes ago, TownerFan said:

It also confirms that Williams imho gives the best interviews when talking with fellow composers/musicians instead of journalists.

 

Yes, it's like eavesdropping on Williams having a conversation with a friend, rather than feeling like an interview as it does with journalists (which usually pull from the same stable of repetitive questions like writing scores with pencil and paper).

 

He always feels more invested when the topics are about others, or recalling the golden days of movie-making. And his memory is still sharp as a tack!

[Sunshine Reger 3,609]

10 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 

Yes, it's like eavesdropping on Williams having a conversation with a friend, rather than feeling like an interview as it does with journalists (which usually pull from the same stable of repetitive questions like writing scores with pencil and paper).

 

He always feels more invested when the topics are about others, or recalling the golden days of movie-making. And his memory is still sharp as a tack!

Burlingame should interview him about Herrmann for the Legacy Collection series

 

[igger6 953]

"...I knew Fred [Astaire!!!] a little bit..."

 

Sheesh, think of the eras spanned by the people with whom he's on a first-name basis.  What a career.  What a life.

[Kühni 484]

Is this still available somewhere?

[thx99 1,896]

31 minutes ago, Kühni said:

Is this still available somewhere?

 

Yes!

 

https://vimeo.com/414323436