Gramophone July 2022 - John Williams' Concertos feature article

[lairdo 737]

Following last week's podcast interview between James Jolly and John Williams, out today is Gramophone's July 2022 issue featuring John Williams on the cover. I believe this is the first time he has ever been on the cover of this venerable classical music magazine although of course not the first time he has been written about in the magazine. (Anne-Sophie Mutter was on the cover following the release of Across the Stars in 2019.)

 

Andrew Farach-Colton writes about William's long history of writing concerti and contains quotations from Leonard Slatkin, Yo-Yo Ma and Anne-Sophie Mutter (but none directly from Williams). The article is a nice survey with particular focus on the first violin concerto (and a bit on the flute), the cello concerto (both versions) and the tuba concerto. Prelude and Fugue (1965) and Sinfonietta (also 1965) get passing mentions as early works. (The author suggests that the latter, recording for DG around 1970, deserves a reissue.) 

 

Nothing really overly revealing within the article although it is a nice read and points to some of the technics (12 tone writing) and how the concerto pieces tend to be without a lot of melody. However, Farach-Colton does note the various influences he senses on Williams - Penderecki and Walton for example. 

 

The issue also contains a combined review of both recent releases - A Gathering of Friends and Violin Concerto No. 2. Alas, neither merits an editor's choice award for the month. In fact, the review feels more descriptive of the discs contents than analytic of the quality.  

 

Oddly - but maybe not - the editor in chief's monthly introduction section contains no mention of the feature article at all instead featuring layout changes within the magazine. 

[BB-8 3,819]

Same photo as on the BBC Music magazine in 2020.

[lairdo 737]

It is indeed. BBC cropped in a bit more than this image.

[BB-8 3,819]

Slightly different posture.

[lairdo 737]

4 minutes ago, BB-8 said:

Slightly different posture.

 

 

Ah, yes. Certainly from the same session though.

 

Photographer:

"Now look to the right, Masetro. Ok, that's great. Maybe slightly wistful now? Yes, that's it. A bit to the left. Think of those Christmas Cookies from Anne-Sophie... but maybe less delight, perhaps a bit of the guilt about needing to compose some notes? Yes, yes, yes! That's brilliant. You're a star, baby!"

 

[JohnnyD 1,275]

Man, I wish I was able to purchase a copy of this issue of Gramophone Magazine, like I was able to purchase the Christmas issue of BBC Music featuring the Maestro, without having to pay for a subscription.

[JohnTheBaptist 63]

See if your library has it. I use Libby to read the electronic copy.

[JohnnyD 1,275]

2 hours ago, JohnTheBaptist said:

See if your library has it. I use Libby to read the electronic copy.

Unfortunately not. I’d rather own a physical or electronic copy without having to pay for a subscription; I just want this one issue.

[crocodile 8,365]

That would be an interesting thing to read actually. And a very different type lf content to what we get usually. I would interested to read more about his concert work. Really enjoyed reading Williams' own note on the latest Mutter album.

 

Coincidentally, I am actually now listening to the Violin Concerto No. 2 for the very first time right now.

 

Karol

[lairdo 737]

10 hours ago, JohnnyD said:

Unfortunately not. I’d rather own a physical or electronic copy without having to pay for a subscription; I just want this one issue.

I think after the next issue (e.g. August 2022), you can email to order a back issue.

https://www.magsubscriptions.com/back-issues

 

Shipping to the US from the UK might be as much as the cost of the issue.

 

I am not sure, but I think Barnes & Noble (if you have one nearby) carries Gramophone in single issues. I just don't know the lag between the UK publication date and the arrival on US shelves.

 

Update: Just found Newsstand.co.uk will take orders for the JW July issue which they show as arriving on June 15 to their shop. Look at this page (which is for the June issue). There is a small line where one can add the July issue to the shopping cart. The company ships worldwide. About US$15 for an issue including 1st class postage.

https://www.newsstand.co.uk/187-classical-music-magazines/1040-subscribe-to-gramophone-monthly-magazine-subscription.aspx

 

For a single digital copy, check out:

https://pocketmags.com/us/gramophone-magazine

$6.99 per issue.

 

 

[Andy 5,002]

Ooh thanks for that @lairdo  I think I may go ahead and order. Can’t think of too many printed magazines with JW on the cover. 

[BB-8 3,819]

[Schilkeman 1,239]

On 11/06/2022 at 9:46 AM, lairdo said:

m not sure, but I think Barnes & Noble (if you have one nearby) carries Gramophone in single issues. I just don't know the lag between the UK publication date and the arrival on US shelves.

 

 

 

 

B&N does usually have it, and it's usually current, or within a few days.

[Andy 5,002]

Thanks to @lairdo’s post, my copy arrived today.  Nice!

[Bayesian 1,422]

Yikes, it’s already out of stock at Newsstand.co.uk. I should have bought it while I had the chance. I just hope it shows up at the El Cerrito B&N, which right now is only displaying the May issue.

[TownerFan 4,998]

The article is now available on Gramophone website:

 

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/john-williams-s-concertos-the-other-side-of-cinema-s-great-musical-genius

 

Really beautifully written piece, with some fantastic quotes from Slatkin, Ma and Mutter.

[Andy 5,002]

This is a fun link at the bottom of the article, Gramaphone's original reviews of some of Williams' OSTs.

 

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/john-williams-s-greatest-film-soundtracks-as-gramophone-originally-reviewed-them

 

[Bespin 8,650]

Speaking of the Sinfonietta, does anyone have the Japanese reissue?

 

[Miguel Andrade 1,325]

4 hours ago, Bespin said:

Speaking of the Sinfonietta, does anyone have the Japanese reissue?

 

 

I do have.

[Andy 5,002]

I tweeted DG to consider re-releasing it. Considering they featured it in the article I would hope they’d consider printing more money for themselves.