Popular Post DangerMotif 1,032 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 https://variety.com/2023/music/news/john-williams-writes-new-theme-for-espn-college-football-1235480841/ Legendary composer John Williams has written an original theme for ESPN’s College Football Playoff National Championship, airing at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Monday night prior to the TCU-Georgia game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Titled “Of Grit and Glory,” it runs three and a half minutes and will score a specially created series of visuals that convey “the feeling behind the night, fear and anticipation, triumph and failure,” ESPN co-director and producer Martin Khodabakhshian tells Variety. Williams’ new theme – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable. Khodabakhshian and his co-director and editor Michael Sciallis of Victory Pictures had dreamed about getting the world’s most famous film composer to write music for their opening sequence. So three months ago, at the urging of lead game producer Bill Bonnell (who had worked with the composer on past Olympic events), they wrote what Khodabakhshian calls “a love letter” to Williams, outlining their thoughts and gently inquiring about the possibility of an original theme. “There’s no better person on the planet to write about emotions and the things that come with the biggest night on ESPN’s biggest stage, our Super Bowl, than John Williams,” Khodabakhshian says. Adds Sciallis: “We wrote about the emotions of bringing people together, not just the competition side of it, but how audiences are affected.” Two days later, word came back: “He’s started writing something.” The ESPN team jumped into action, conceiving a visual sequence that would feature “college football heroes and legends from all eras” but also add “the beauty of Hollywood and California,” where the game would take place, Khodabakhshian notes. Williams conducted a 96-piece orchestra on the Sony scoring stage on Dec. 21. And ESPN was there with seven cameras, shooting the entire three-hour recording session, parts of which will be intertwined throughout the opening segment – “so you feel the energy of those orchestra members, and of John, playing this music for the first time, so the audience gets to feel that as well,” Sciallis says. The “giddiness and excitement” associated with a new Williams anthem for their big college football game was palpable throughout the ESPN executive suites, Sciallis says. Yet it remained top secret until today. On Saturday, ESPN will tease the opening and the Williams score during its NFL Wild Card Doubleheader. Williams’ new music will be heard throughout the TCU-Georgia matchup. He recorded several takes of the main piece as well as briefer excerpts, “a re-join piece and a vamp,” Sciallis reports; “cutdowns and stingers,” shorter pieces that could be useful during the game itself, were edited in the days following the Dec. 21 session. “He captured the spirit of the night,” says Sciallis. Khodabakhshian confesses he broke down in tears after the recording session. “I’m so overwhelmed and grateful because he’s the GOAT!” This is believed to be the largest-scale musical commission ever for the sports network. What will happen with the piece after Monday night is not clear. ESPN could theoretically use it in future college football broadcasts; no plans for a commercial release have apparently been discussed. In terms of music for athletic competition, the five-time Oscar winner has written four Olympic fanfares, a gridiron march for NBC’s football coverage, and the score for Kobe Bryant’s Oscar-winning short “Dear Basketball.” He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy. Williams, 90, was unavailable for comment. He is currently on the Oscar shortlist for his music for Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” and has been working for the past several months on the score for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” slated for release June 30. Amer, Thor, Tydirium and 35 others 7 7 19 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,385 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Whoa, cool! I have zero connection to American football, but I love his theme for Sunday Night Football from years and years ago. That one sounded like a remnant from the SW prequels. Looking forward to whatever this is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitam 362 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 "shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly mémorable" Can't wait to hear it If he's still around in 2028, he WILL write something for the olympics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 What?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Once 604 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I just read this and came here to post it! I'm so excited to hear it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 My mom (and essentially everyone on her side of the family) is a University of Georgia alum so we were already pretty excited for next Monday's game, but now this on top of it! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,613 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 Well, now we know what the new ending of Indiana Jones was all about. Brando, Manakin Skywalker, Will and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jay 37,045 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 15 minutes ago, Gibster said: Legendary composer John Williams has written an original theme for ESPN’s College Football Playoff National Championship Wow! 15 minutes ago, Gibster said: Titled “Of Grit and Glory,” it runs three and a half minutes and will score a specially created series of visuals that convey “the feeling behind the night, fear and anticipation, triumph and failure,” Wow!! 15 minutes ago, Gibster said: Williams conducted a 96-piece orchestra on the Sony scoring stage on Dec. 21 Wow!!! 15 minutes ago, Gibster said: ESPN was there with seven cameras, shooting the entire three-hour recording session Wow!!!! 15 minutes ago, Gibster said: He recorded several takes of the main piece as well as briefer excerpts, “a re-join piece and a vamp,” Sciallis reports Wow!!!!!! Oceadge, Martinland, mrbellamy and 8 others 2 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Disco Stu 15,495 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 You just never know when Williams is gonna blindside you with a new commission out of nowhere. 8 minutes ago, Jay said: Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Wow!!!! Wow!!!!!! Manakin Skywalker, Joni Wiljami, MikeH and 5 others 1 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,423 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Can't wait to hear this! 2023 is starting great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 As I age, I am much happier with a notification of new piece that I get to hear in a couple days versus the Hollywood overture and Vienna piece that took a year/s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Know 325 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Excited to hear this, but already frustrated that "no commercial release" has been discussed. WTF. enderdrag64 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom 4,613 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 4 hours ago, Gibster said: Williams’ new theme – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable. King Mark, good news. I just read further information that mentioned that to honor the states of Georgia and Texas, Williams reorchestrated the piece to include a generous amount of banjo and harmonica. Evidently, it makes the piece even more memorable. crlbrg, Manakin Skywalker, artguy360 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranders65 65 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Disco Stu said: My mom (and essentially everyone on her side of the family) is a University of Georgia alum so we were already pretty excited for next Monday's game, but now this on top of it! As another UGA alum, this is pretty doggone cool!! A second straight shot at a National Championship with a new Williams piece leading it off? Heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brando 1,824 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I’ve got to sit thru yet another football game?? igger6 and Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,220 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Definitely a tremendous surprise; I’ll be catching Monday Night Football just to hear this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett 142 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 2 hours ago, Gibster said: He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy. Fake news! igger6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Once 604 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 18 minutes ago, Garrett said: Fake news! Maybe streaming doesn't count as television? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DangerMotif 1,032 Posted January 6, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 New Williams Quote added Says Williams: “Intercollegiate football has been at the heart and soul of our nation’s life for so long that the opportunity to musically salute this great tradition has been a particularly meaningful joy for me. I was thrilled and excited when ESPN suggested that I write a theme for the Jan. 9 championship game. “The games themselves always raise the collective spirit and, in the end, the competition brings us all closer to a place where the concept of winners and losers dissolves into mutual respect and admiration. The invitation to write this music constitutes a great honor for me, and I feel especially privileged to make a small contribution to one of our country’s most treasured traditions.” Cerebral Cortex, Tom, Brando and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,045 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Garrett said: Fake news! The article has also been updated to fix that part Before: He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy. After: He hasn’t written music for broadcast television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy; his theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” debuted earlier this year on the Disney+ streaming service. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Faleel 5,278 Posted January 6, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2023 31 minutes ago, Gibster said: New Williams Quote added Says Williams: “Intercollegiate football has been at the heart and soul of our nation’s life for so long that the opportunity to musically salute this great tradition has been a particularly meaningful joy for me. I was thrilled and excited when ESPN suggested that I write a theme for the Jan. 9 championship game. “The games themselves always raise the collective spirit and, in the end, the competition brings us all closer to a place where the concept of winners and losers dissolves into mutual respect and admiration. The invitation to write this music constitutes a great honor for me, and I feel especially privileged to make a small contribution to one of our country’s most treasured traditions.” A new new quote: "I told them they need a better composer for this....." Ale Gere, airmanjerm and Brando 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerMotif 1,032 Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 JoeinAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabulin 3,505 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Land of Grit and Glory... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,045 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 10 minutes ago, Gibster said: New Burlingame quote added Williams’ new music – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable That isn't new, that was always in the article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igger6 889 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO DESERVE THIS????!!!!!! It's the Feast of the Epiphany today in Catholicism, so I guess this year it's gold, frankincense, myrrh, grit, and glory! And on the last day of Christmas, I think it's appropriate to say... Brando and Jay 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 4,002 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 3 hours ago, Gibster said: opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly John Goldfarb Arabian/Irish fight song quotes confirmed! igger6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I guess JJ is working for Variety now. Brando 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,616 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Wow I',m hyped for this! Except we'll have scour the dark corners of the internet to listen to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,220 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 2 hours ago, igger6 said: WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO DESERVE THIS????!!!!!! It's the Feast of the Epiphany today in Catholicism, so I guess this year it's gold, frankincense, myrrh, grit, and glory! And on the last day of Christmas, I think it's appropriate to say... Alleluia and Amen! igger6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, King Mark said: Wow I',m hyped for this! Except we'll have scour the dark corners of the internet to listen to it It’s literally airing on television Brando 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverTrumpet 638 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 5 hours ago, Jay said: The article has also been updated to fix that part Before: He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy. After: He hasn’t written music for broadcast television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy; his theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” debuted earlier this year on the Disney+ streaming service. Also fake news! It was last year! pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 2 hours ago, Disco Stu said: It’s literally airing on television Well, aside from that and the obvious youtube uploads, how might one hear this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Mr. Big 4,621 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 igger6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett 142 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 2 hours ago, SilverTrumpet said: Also fake news! It was last year! Clearly, Variety needs to be banned from social media for spreading misinformation. SilverTrumpet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnTheBaptist 57 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Seems a bit highbrow for the American football audience. I wonder why they didn't go with Hans Zimmer or some RCP hack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,266 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch? Manakin Skywalker, Brando, JohnTheBaptist and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 This is such exciting news! I don't often watch college football (prefer the NFL) but will make sure to tune in to this. 3:30 of new, extroverted Williams fanfares is such a treat. What a wonderful surprise, totally out of the blue. The maestro never ceases to amaze. MikeH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Manakin Skywalker 4,854 Posted January 7, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 7, 2023 33 minutes ago, Edmilson said: Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch? He does play golf, so maybe a glass of brandy while watching a game of golf? Brando, Martinland and Edmilson 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artguy360 1,839 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Wow! Out of nowhere. I can't wait to hear this! JW in sports mode is always fun. I'm quickly realizing that JW is embracing all kinds of writing opportunities with his film career winding down. He's not slowing down at all. Dr. Know and Will 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,251 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 According to Lukas Kendall, as a youngster, his only other interest besides music were girls: https://www.lukaskendall.com/post/john-williams-90th-birthday I think there was some interview with his younger brother Donald, where he said basically the same thing. So I would assume that while he plays a little golf, he doesn't spend much time watching sports, probably uses his non-composing time reading scores by Beethoven and Brahms. Edmilson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quppa 117 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Wide Receiver was never released (although this cover is pretty good), so I'm not getting my hopes up, but at least it's a different network this time. A digital release surely would have no downsides for ESPN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 7 hours ago, Edmilson said: Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch? He has a good sense of the moment, and it is just a natural extension of scoring films. Even if not a big sports fan, he gets what makes it attractive to so many people. I am not sure how much of a football fan Goldsmith was or Newman for baseball, but they didn't really need to be to capture the drama (and far surpass it, imo). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrbellamy 6,235 Posted January 7, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 7, 2023 8 hours ago, Edmilson said: Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch? In his Fanfare for Fenway note, he mentions only hearing about the games from his parents, and then later he went to the stadium when it was empty. So he's either anti-sports or he's still trying to figure out if they exist. Marian Schedenig, Edmilson, Brando and 2 others 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,205 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I know John loves to watch sports on TV and he usually drinks great german white wines from a cooler located in his nicely decorated hallway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I think the preview is coming up in a couple of minutes. filmmusic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,045 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,613 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I was wrong. The article said that it would be previewed during the two games today. I thought it would be the halftime of the first game (as they talked about Monday's game), but they didn't. Maybe between the games? pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Just heard a very brief excerpt in an ad a few minutes ago on ESPN/ABC! pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayesian 1,348 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Just now, Will said: Just heard a very brief excerpt in an ad a few minutes ago on ESPN/ABC! And???? How was it?? Don't leave us hanging! Dr. Know 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artguy360 1,839 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Oh man, I hope someone recorded it! 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