The incomparable JW

[Bayesian 1,363]

With all the positive talk and tweeting about Of Grit and Glory, which came out of the clear blue sky to remind us that JW still grabs the public imagination even when the subject has nothing to do with film, I'm further reminded there isn't another person alive whose impact on society has been as diverse and pervasive as Williams.

 

For any musician, laying claim to four Olympic themes across 18 years, music for the national news and nationally televised football, themes for Amblin and Dreamworks, and leading the Boston Pops for 13 years would be enough accomplishment for a successful career and enough to make them a household name. For any composer to write over a dozen concertos and have a few of them enter the repertoire in their lifetime would be an amazing achievement in and of itself. Any person who could claim to have done both would be a bona fide icon.

 

So that's JW in a nutshell: a beloved musical icon even if he'd never written a bar of music for film. It blows my mind.

 

 

 

[jedijim 3]

I completely agree!

 

As I was watching the Golden Globes yesterday, presumably being broadcast around the world, and saw Johnny being acknowledged by arguably the most famous film director in the world, and this on the heals of just the day before presenting the world premiere of a new composition unprecedently featured during college football's most publicized contest, also presumably being broadcast around the world, I could only shake my head and marvel, what a charmed life he leads and how amazing it is for us to continue to be able to share it.

 

Further, I am lucky enough to be able to see him in person in San Francisco next month where once again a different element of his enormous talent will be on display.  I thank his good fortune of continued health and vitality and think the world is a far better place for it.

[mrbellamy 6,287]

On 04/03/2017 at 3:05 PM, mrbellamy said:

Very cool!

 

I keep thinking back not too long ago to 2015 when we had so much concern for his health. He was cancelling things left and right, looking and sounding a little frailer than usual. I was definitely coming to terms with the idea that he may be about ready to quit conducting by 2016, and keeping my fingers crossed that the same wouldn't be true about composing.

 

Two Eight years later, look at him. Not just physically, but mentally he continues to have the endurance and enthusiasm to multitask that has always inspired me. What are the odds that somebody with that much talent would ALSO have pretty much unlimited monster success leading to the greatest musical resources at his fingertips AND a variety of opportunities and projects to utilize them AND blessed with longevity in life AND a passionate work ethic that has kept him even wanting to give music to the world in his "retirement years" AND an amiably grounded and humble attitude throughout it all?

 

Seriously, what the fuck? I can't help but think about Jerry, James, Basil, Kamen, and too many others who died too soon. Elliot Goldenthal, Don Davis, Bruce Broughton et al who should be working more with better film opportunities and aren't. Thank god Ennio's still going strong, of course it'd be nice if he were a little more high-profile but who's complaining? RIP

 

And then there's John Williams. Every year he's looking more and more like some miracle man. A superhuman! But in a way that cheapens the remarkable career achievements and life's blessings on this sweet, unassuming man, and the struggles that he's had like anyone else. At any rate, he is rather special and I've been feeling grateful to call myself a fan lately. When I was 10 years old, one of my favorite things to daydream about on the bus and in school was the new John Williams CD coming out. Now I'm 26 32 and it's one of my favorite things to daydream about in the car and at work. 

 

Man I just love this guy! John Williams is awesome.

 

Anyway

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QqvfSFxx5rI/SFnLpWkHBpI/AAAAAAAAFGY/bAOHheAiiPU/s320/36anywaywedelivered.jpg

[Bellosh 3,419]

The Greatest of All Time 

[GerateWohl 4,369]

Yes, John Williams is a pretty good composer. I like most of his music.

[BB-8 3,478]

The other good composers are all dead.

[karelm 2,913]