DID JOHN WILLIAMS COMPOSE THE IJ DIAL OF DESTINY TRAILER MUSIC?

[Amvanquish 39]

Surely there are some musicians who worked on IJ Dial of Destiny who can clarify if John Williams did the trailer music.

if John didn’t compose it , what music production company did and who was the orchestrator composer ?

it does sound remarkably similar in its orchestrations  to the Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban trailer music 

[Jay 39,241]

No. 

[Score 772]

Not only JW did not compose it, I hope he will not ever hear it!

[Amvanquish 39]

What evidence do you have that he didn’t compose it?

You can’t just say No!

Come forward the person who did?

There must composer/musicians out there who have the answers ?

I am directing my questions to them who may be on this website and up until now have been sworn to secrecy re the score or trailer score.

Dont forget that JW may have some input into the trailer music if any of his score is used and may have final approval over it ;so to say you hope he never hears it is a bit shallow.

Consequently , if you were the producer director of the main film putting the trailer together , do you not think it would be respectful and a common courtesy to show a composer of John Williams standing,  the treatment given to his music in a trailer before it went out?

I think I would!

[Holko 10,158]

16 minutes ago, Amvanquish said:

What evidence do you have that he didn’t compose it?

That it's awful?

[Amvanquish 39]

Still not an answer Holko

And what would you then say if he had scored the trailer?

Its not that bad after you get through the tinkling piano and shimmering strings at 1.00.

In composition speak it’s called building to the payoff - the knowledge we are probably witnessing the last Indiana Jones film ,the last time we see Harrison Ford in the role - and of course John Williams final outing for it too

 

[tomsmoviemadness 3,469]

Maybe the most obvious answer is that 98% of the time a films comppser has nothing to do with the music in a trailer.

In the same way that a trailer gets put together mostly by people who didn't always work on the film.

 

Trailer music is mostly done by side composers/companys without an orchestra.

 

I feel that if Williams did compose the trailer music (which I'm certain he hasn't) it would not have been a 'trailerized' version of The Raiders March. It would have been fully orchestral

[Amvanquish 39]

Again you don’t have the answer just supposition.

And I have to say sometimes it’s not “obvious”

I’ve worked in the U.K. film industry at all levels so I have a bit of an idea how it works !

SO WHO DID IT????

Thats the question I’m asking ?

Come forward those who know either from the scoring stage or a trailer house and prove it to us who scored the trailer !     

[Nick1Ø66 5,804]

2 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

You can’t just say No!

Well actually, he can. And did.

 

2 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

SO WHO DID IT????

 
My contacts tell me Zimmer. In the library. With a dulcimer.

[Amvanquish 39]

We can all say yes or no but where’s the evidence?

Its still not answering the question

Did John Williams compose the trailer music , if not , who did????????

if I was in the US working within the industry , I would have got to the bottom of it within minutes but being in the U.K. even with my contacts at Abbey Road and Air Studios , knowledge is limited

[HunterTech 1,194]

I would confidently say he didn't on the basis that it just doesn't sound like him stylistically. It might be a bit harder for casual folk, but it generally takes enough knowledge to tell when it's him versus when it's a trailer house playing with his material. It helps that the few bits of trailer music he's actually done (HP1, the TFA teaser) feel more like extensions of the scores proper than something that clashes with them in feel. Besides, the observation that it would've used the new thematic material is spot on.

 

But since I'm predicting this also won't be a satisfactory answer, I'm sure whoever did make the trailer music will tweet about it soon enough. Generally seems to happen with newer blockbusters at the very least.

[TolkienSS 463]

2 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

it does sound remarkably similar in its orchestrations  to the Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban trailer music 

 

If this isn't one of the saddest things I've read I don't know what is.

It's no big deal not having an ear for music, but listen to those who have. 

Having "worked in the film industry" doesn't give you an ear for film music.

 

Also, since you're not coy about your thoughts, I don't have to be either: it's hard calling this trailer music "composed", since it sounds like it was most likely cooked up by someone playing MIDI directly into a DAW. John Williams WRITES music, and someone who actually writes music down - someone really skilled - couldn't come up with something this shallow and vapid if he tried. Especially not if his music has a distinct quality like JW. 

[Anthony 600]

This thread feels like this.

 

GIVE. ME. THE CODE.

 

[Archive Collection 218]

I take no joy in diminishing the work of other composers, but this trailer music is definitely not Williams'. The arrangement isn't characteristic of Williams' usual style of writing, and the recording is clearly a MIDI mockup - not a live orchestral performance. Further, if Williams had written the music we definitely would have heard about it - it would be a selling point of the trailer. This is exactly what happened with TFA.

 

[Richard Penna 4,113]

1 hour ago, Amvanquish said:

 

I’ve worked in the U.K. film industry at all levels so I have a bit of an idea how it works !

SO WHO DID IT????

 

Doesn't matter how many times you ask - the answer's going to be the same - most of the time the film's composer has nothing to do with the trailer music and that unless the trailer house mentions somewhere, or a composer tweets, we have no more idea than you will about who wrote it.

[Disco Stu 15,501]

I will never understand why people give more than a single thought to trailer music.

[Thor 8,238]

Me neither. But Soundtrack.net usually has useful info on trailer music, but it seems like there is no searchable list there anymore, or at least I can't find it?

 

https://www.soundtrack.net/trailers/

 

[mstrox 6,884]

It’s integrated into the individual page for each movie - so if you search for any movie, the trailer music information will be on it (assuming Soundtrack.net has logged it).

 

For instance, here’s the panel on the page for The Phantom Menace 

[Thor 8,238]

Thanks! That makes sense.

[TSMefford 1,526]

The answer is no.

 

We don't have the proof yet because the trailer just came out. It will undoubtedly be shared on a trailer music house's social media or website and will at least be credited to one of them in due time.

I've reached out to the trailer's editorial team for an answer. We'll see if they respond.

 

Question: When was the last time Williams was confirmed to have done trailer music? Last I remember was the Force Awakens teaser. I don't believe he did any of the main trailers or any of the future Star Wars movies trailers is that correct?

Basically, I'm asking - if he hasn't done it for the last several iconic franchise movies he's been a part of why would he start up again now?

[Amvanquish 39]

Well Tolkien , I think I do have an ear for music having followed John Williams consistently since 1972 after hearing The Poseidon Adventure.

I have a vast music library ( vinyl, tape , CD and streamed )of Korngold, Steiner , Tiompkin ,  Williams , Goldsmith, Horner , Barry , Zimmer , Arnold,  Goodwin , Walton,  Jarre, Morricone  etc etc etc to name but a few . And yes Williams to me tops the lot.

What right have you got to say I don’t have an ear for music?

My tastes range from Opera , to the Classics and  to modern pop and rock

I am merely asking the question if John Williams composed the trailer music and if not who did?

And let me just say that perfectly capable composers who compose exceptionally good music for computer games are employed for trailer music . . I’ve met them at awards ceremonies for BAFTA.

Are you putting down budding composers who don’t have an ear for music either ?

I think I would have questioned the trailer music if the Indy music had not been included .

Also experience of the film industry and its workings should never be put down .

Years ago when JWFan was set up in the mid nineties I did furnish it with insider information that I was privy to .

Ask Tim Burden who I am and then you’ll know!!!

 

 

[Romão 2,317]

If JW had composed that crap I would be seriously worried about his lucidity.

 

You just need to listen to it to be absolutely, 100% sure, that Williams did not write it

[ThePenitentMan1 1,012]

1 hour ago, TSMefford said:

Question: When was the last time Williams was confirmed to have done trailer music? Last I remember was the Force Awakens teaser.

 

Am I thinking of different TFA trailer music when the only thing that comes to mind is the hyped-up Han and Leia/Force Theme track?

[Richard Penna 4,113]

5 hours ago, TolkienSS said:

It's no big deal not having an ear for music, but listen to those who have. 

Having "worked in the film industry" doesn't give you an ear for film music.

 

Curious to know what credentials you have which give you an 'ear for music'?

 

In a way, I'm glad I don't have whatever they are, as it clearly allows me to enjoy far more music than you do.

[Gabriel Bezerra 394]

23 minutes ago, ThePenitentMan1 said:

 

Am I thinking of different TFA trailer music when the only thing that comes to mind is the hyped-up Han and Leia/Force Theme track?

 

[Datameister 2,254]

20 minutes ago, ThePenitentMan1 said:

 

Am I thinking of different TFA trailer music when the only thing that comes to mind is the hyped-up Han and Leia/Force Theme track?

 

Yes. He wrote several trailer cues. One of them was used in the very first teaser. It's mostly non-thematic.

 

@Amvanquish, you can boast and yell all you want, but it's immediately apparent from a single listen that JW didn't write this music. And good luck finding instrumentalists to comment, since it's also immediately apparent that it was mostly or completely produced with virtual instruments.

[Amvanquish 39]

So we should all use Penna and Datameister as the benchmark for qualifying any music of any kind and as to whether it’s any good or not.

Well once you’ve  watched thousands of films as part of your job and you listen to the music before anybody else does , been on hundreds of set visits and recording sessions and talked with producers, directors ,actors/actresses and musicians  , in your eyes that obviously doesn’t qualify you for anything then when building your experience and knowledge.

[Thor 8,238]

Shhhhh, easy does it.

 

Whoever composed the trailer music will be revealed in due time.

[Datameister 2,254]

3 minutes ago, Amvanquish said:

So we should all use Penna and Datameister as the benchmark for qualifying any music of any kind and as to whether it’s any good or not.

Well once you’ve  watched thousands of films as part of your job and you listen to the music before anybody else does , been on hundreds of set visits and recording sessions and talked with producers, directors ,actors/actresses and musicians  , in your eyes that obviously doesn’t qualify you for anything then when building your experience and knowledge.

 

Interesting that you mention quality when I've done nothing of the sort. I just said Williams didn't write it, and an orchestra didn't record it. Plenty of great music out there fits that description.

 

And yes, if you say you can't tell if this was Williams, I'd say you're not qualified to tell whether this was Williams.

[Amvanquish 39]

I didn’t say I can’t tell you whether it was him . Not knowing is not a qualification and as you don’t know either - you cannot own the word qualify.

I would like to know who did it and as Thor has diplomatically pointed out , it will no doubt come to light.

Neither you or I should have egg on our faces making claims about its validity .

If Williams composed it - fine - then you can criticise it but as you or I don’t have the info yet  - let’s just wait and see who comes forward which is what I am asking - BECAUSE I DONT KNOW AND NEITHER DO YOU!!!

[Romão 2,317]

Somethings are debatable. That Williams did not write this is not one of them. It's just too plain obvious

[Edmilson 8,791]

This is a rather pointless thread, isn't it?

 

JW didn't write the trailer music. He wrote the main Indiana Jones themes in 1981, and then some underpaid young composer working for a trailer house company under an excruciating deadline re-worked those themes into the music you hear in the trailer.

[Score 772]

7 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

This is a rather pointless thread, isn't it?

 

No, it isn't pointless. If I google "dial of destiny trailer music composer", this jwfan thread is the first suggestion that appears. Not a bad achievement, for something that is totally unrelated to JW! Keep it going!

[Stark 538]

Epic trailer music is simply never by the original composer.

[MrJosh 895]

Maybe Williams got some sample libraries on black friday and wanted to try out some epic bwahhm versions of his Indy theme! "ah yes, indeed that sounds very fire, as the kids say"

[1977 1,745]

36 minutes ago, Stark said:

Epic trailer music^TM is simply never by the original composer any good.

 

This thread reminds me of the "please Mr Thau, create in CGI the villains destroy the world sequence" thread from a Superman forum circa the announcement of the SII RD cut.

 

"Please Mr. Williams, create in MiDi the epic trailer version of the Raiders film music song."

 

And what's with the ALL CAPS thread title OP?

[Doo_liss 6,267]

Just now, JTWfan77 said:

 

What about TSFH?

[Jim Ware 548]

It wouldn’t surprise me if this was Felix Erskine/Cavalry Music. They seem to be doing everything at the moment!

[Jurassic Shark 12,970]

3 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

Well Tolkien , I think I do have an ear for music having followed John Williams consistently since 1972 after hearing The Poseidon Adventure.

I have a vast music library ( vinyl, tape , CD and streamed )of Korngold, Steiner , Tiompkin ,  Williams , Goldsmith, Horner , Barry , Zimmer , Arnold,  Goodwin , Walton,  Jarre, Morricone  etc etc etc to name but a few . And yes Williams to me tops the lot.

What right have you got to say I don’t have an ear for music?

My tastes range from Opera , to the Classics and  to modern pop and rock

I am merely asking the question if John Williams composed the trailer music and if not who did?

And let me just say that perfectly capable composers who compose exceptionally good music for computer games are employed for trailer music . . I’ve met them at awards ceremonies for BAFTA.

Are you putting down budding composers who don’t have an ear for music either ?

I think I would have questioned the trailer music if the Indy music had not been included .

Also experience of the film industry and its workings should never be put down .

Years ago when JWFan was set up in the mid nineties I did furnish it with insider information that I was privy to .

Ask Tim Burden who I am and then you’ll know!!!

 

 

 

Shawn, is that you?

[Yavar Moradi 2,965]

10 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

Surely there are some musicians who worked on IJ Dial of Destiny who can clarify if John Williams did the trailer music.

if John didn’t compose it , what music production company did and who was the orchestrator composer ?

it does sound remarkably similar in its orchestrations  to the Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban trailer music 

 

AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!

 

 

Good one!

 

Yavar

[Datameister 2,254]

Yeah, there's some real troll energy to this thread, intentionally or otherwise.

 

@Amvanquish if you truly started this thread with the expectation that no one but the composer reply, I'm not sure what to tell you. This is actually a fan site, so the fans tend to chat.

[Mr. Who 974]

It’s obviously not music by Williams. OP is just trolling at this point.

[Disco Stu 15,501]

I think it's a more likely scenario that the trailer music was written by the reanimated corpse of Ludwig van Beethoven than that it was written by John Williams.  I also haven't watched the trailer though.

[Taikomochi 1,217]

I was the kazoo soloist on the score, and I can confirm the trailer music was not a part of the recording sessions.

[TSMefford 1,526]

4 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

I think I would have questioned the trailer music if the Indy music had not been included .

 

I'm not going to talk about quality or your ears for music, but I will say that in this day and age I would not assume trailer music was created by the film's composer just because the theme is included.

 

Countless Star Wars trailers have been done featuring the Force Theme that were not Williams.

Countless Harry Potter trailers featured Hedwig's Theme and were not scored by Williams.

Another example off the top of my head is the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Main Trailer - while featuring tons of Elfman material, it was not done by Elfman, but was arranged by Aaron Zigman based on Elfman's early sketches.

 

I have put out the request, we'll see if the team responds.

 

[mstrox 6,884]

Williams composed the part at the beginning where somebody idly pokes random piano keys.  The rest was done by Marco Beltrami.

[Anthony 600]

I wrote the trailer music! It's rubbish because I'm not a composer!

[MrJosh 895]

The piano start does evoke the same feel and style as The Force Awakens full Trailer. I wouldn't be too surprised if it turned out to be the same folks. Same kind of sparse atmosphere with single piano notes. 

[TolkienSS 463]

4 hours ago, Amvanquish said:

Well Tolkien , I think I do have an ear for music having followed John Williams consistently since 1972 after hearing The Poseidon Adventure.

I have a vast music library ( vinyl, tape , CD and streamed )of Korngold, Steiner , Tiompkin ,  Williams , Goldsmith, Horner , Barry , Zimmer , Arnold,  Goodwin , Walton,  Jarre, Morricone  etc etc etc to name but a few . And yes Williams to me tops the lot.

What right have you got to say I don’t have an ear for music?

My tastes range from Opera , to the Classics and  to modern pop and rock

I am merely asking the question if John Williams composed the trailer music and if not who did?

And let me just say that perfectly capable composers who compose exceptionally good music for computer games are employed for trailer music . . I’ve met them at awards ceremonies for BAFTA.

Are you putting down budding composers who don’t have an ear for music either ?

I think I would have questioned the trailer music if the Indy music had not been included .

Also experience of the film industry and its workings should never be put down .

Years ago when JWFan was set up in the mid nineties I did furnish it with insider information that I was privy to .

Ask Tim Burden who I am and then you’ll know!!!

 

You say you're well beyond 50, yet, by all accounts, you sound like you're 13 who was introduced to film music by video game soundtracks.

 

On the other hand, if your antics and instincts for quality indeed permeate the modern batch of movie production alumni, the new batch of abhorrent subversive movies and shows make absolute sense.

[HunterTech 1,194]

Modern media is mostly subversive? I wish.