John Williams with Yo-Yo Ma in Philadelphia, Tuesday Feb 20, 2024

[Jay 41,649]

John Williams with Yo-Yo Ma

Tuesday

Feb 20, 2024, 7:30 PM

Performance Details

John Williams Conductor
Yo-Yo Ma Cello

Williams Cello Concerto
Williams Selections from film scores

With an astonishing five Oscars and 25 GRAMMY Awards, John Williams is one of the most beloved composers of all time, having written unforgettable music for the screen as well as the concert hall. Join Williams and long-time friend Yo-Yo Ma for a performance of the composer’s sublime Cello Concerto, along with selections from some of his beloved film scores.

 

https://www.philorch.org/performances/our-season/events-and-tickets/2023-2024-season/verizon-hall/john-williams-and-yo-yo-ma/

[Tom 5,410]

Very fun news.  I wish I lived out east (well, not really, but in this case it would be nice).  I would have been blown away had it said Cello Concerto #2.  Either way, open with the damn Vienna Fanfare!  

[Toillion 354]

Whoa. I convinced my wife we needed to take a trip to Philly last year to see JW. Then I convinced her we needed to go to NYC for the concert in April. Think I can convince her that we need to go back to Philly in 2024?

[pete 1,061]

There might be some new arrangements... maybe!

[Tom 5,410]

I initially read this as this year.  Just another indicated, though, that Williams has no plans to slow down. 

 

Anyway, should we start taking bets on whether Williams will have, yet again, revised this thing by next Feb?  

[TJH132 49]

On 27/01/2023 at 7:49 AM, Tom said:

I initially read this as this year.  Just another indicated, though, that Williams has no plans to slow down. 

 

Anyway, should we start taking bets on whether Williams will have, yet again, revised this thing by next Feb?  

Of all the revisions, I like the one performed with Ma and the Houston Symphony some years ago.  Better opening and stronger ending, in my opinion.

[clockleader 0]

I'm coming all the way from Melbourne for this!  Might I see any of you there?

[rpvee 891]

3 minutes ago, clockleader said:

I'm coming all the way from Melbourne for this!  Might I see any of you there?

.

[Pawel P. 805]

Concert Program:

 

Williams Just Down West Street … on the left+
Williams Cello Concerto+
Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme++
Williams Excerpts from The Book Thief++
Williams “Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra,” from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade++
Williams “Helena's Theme,” from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny++
Williams “The Raiders' March,” from Raiders of the Lost Ark++
Williams “Princess Leia's Theme,” from Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra++
Williams “Adventures on Earth,” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial++

 

John Williams Conductor+
Stéphane Denève Conductor++
Yo-Yo Ma Cello

 

The times when the Maestro himself conducted the entire concert are slowly coming to an end, I'm afraid. This is of course completely understandable. He will be 92 years old then.

 

I hope this or Carnegie Hall get filmed by Sony and released on Blu-ray. If not, it'll be a missed opportunity. It's nice that there are rarities: "Just Down West Street ... on the left", of course "Cello Concerto", Excerpts from "The Book Thief" (!!), "Helena's Theme". On the other hand, again a very familiar repertoire, "Raider's", "Motorcykle", "Leia", "Advetures on Earth"... 

 

I'm surprised there aren't more from the "A Gathering of Friends" album.

 

Williams will likely return for two or three encores. Hopefully together with Yo-Yo Ma.

[Tom 5,410]

Nice lineup.  Williams has been doing the half concert thing for years.  The last couple of years of doing the whole things have been the exception.  He must have recently had the symbiote removed.    

[pete 1,061]

I wonder if The Book Thief and perhaps Helena's Theme will be new arrangements for cello and orchestra? And I had thought that the previously announced new piece Williams intends to write for Yo-Yo Ma would be premiered at this concert - although no timeline for the piece's completion was announced. Perhaps it's not completed and maybe not even begun? 

[Tom 5,410]

I had expressed hope that it would be performed, but there has never been an official statements that point in that direction.  Maybe later in 24. 

[WilliamsStarShip2282 326]

Does anyone know if there are still tickets for this? I tried many times, no luck.

[Tom 5,410]

1 hour ago, pete said:

I wonder if The Book Thief and perhaps Helena's Theme will be new arrangements for cello and orchestra? 

I would guess "no."  I think the concerto is the Yo-Yo moment--maybe an encore or something.  Maybe the Tintin piece with a violinist?  

[Miguel Andrade 1,462]

Great to see Williams will be conducting the concert works part of the program. And I believe this will be the first time he conducts Just Down West Street ☺️

[rpvee 891]

Program has been revealed. Same as Carnegie Hall, as expected. Like I said in the thread for that concert, it's a bummer that Williams is only conducting the first two pieces, but I have no doubt he'll come back for an Imperial March encore or something similar at the end of the performance.
 

Quote

 

John Williams Conductor+

Stéphane Denève Conductor++

Yo-Yo Ma Cello

 

Williams Just Down West Street … on the left+

Williams Cello Concerto+

Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme++

Williams Excerpts from The Book Thief++

Williams “Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra,” from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade++

Williams “Helena's Theme,” from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny++

Williams “The Raiders' March,” from Raiders of the Lost Ark++

Williams “Princess Leia's Theme,” from Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra++

Williams “Adventures on Earth,” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial++

 

 

[Grgdvs 2]

My partner and I are looking forward to this concert. Has anyone seen the Philly orchestra  before, do you know if there is a specific dress code ? We’re coming from the UK so need to know if we pack the suite or not!!

[Taikomochi 1,319]

When I saw his Philly concert in 2022, people were either in dress clothes or Jedi robes.

[rpvee 891]

Shocked this has remained sold out. Really hope seats open back up…

[Will 2,292]

Program notes: https://www.philorch.org/globalassets/philadelphia-orchestra/pdp/program-notes/book-26_john-williams-with-yo-yo-ma.pdf

[Will 2,292]

Looks like Helena’s Theme got removed from the program? That’s unfortunate — maybe it’ll be an encore.

[Mr. Hooper 4,595]

23 minutes ago, Will said:

Looks like Helena’s Theme got removed from the program? That’s unfortunate — maybe it’ll be an encore.

Williams seems to be pretty fond of performing it, so yeah, I expect he'll do it himself as an encore, followed by the obligatory Imperial March.

 

If we're graced with three encores, like at Film Night last year, what would you want to hear...? I'd love to hear him perform Yoda's Theme live just once.

[DangerMotif 1,253]

I assume he’ll do his encores before intermission. They took down Helena for Carnegie Hall as well.

[Bespin Copilot 9,380]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I'd love to hear him perform Yoda's Theme live just once.

 

[Mr. Hooper 4,595]

19 minutes ago, DangerMotif said:

I assume he’ll do his encores before intermission.

Is that usual for his half-and-half concerts where he starts? I expected him to come back out for the encores after Denève's half, giving him a chance to rest. It would certainly be a better way to end the evening. I guess we'll see...

 

18 minutes ago, Bespin said:

 

 

Yep, that's what I'll look like while listening. 

[Tom 5,410]

Remember that Just Down West Street has been significantly revised.......

[Marian Schedenig 9,827]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Is that usual for his half-and-half concerts where he starts? I expected him to come back out for the encores after Denève's half, giving him a chance to rest.

 

Pperhaps he uses the co-conductor's part of the programme to escape from the fans and go home.

[Mr. Hooper 4,595]

Just now, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Pperhaps he uses the co-conductor's part of the programme to escape from the fans and go home.

I don't know about Philly, but in New York he'll be the guest of honour at the benefit gala dinner after the show, so there will be no easy escape from the fans willing to wait outside in the cold for hours to toss flowers at him as he exits into a waiting car...

[Will 2,292]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Is that usual for his half-and-half concerts where he starts? I expected him to come back out for the encores after Denève's half, giving him a chance to rest. It would certainly be a better way to end the evening. I guess we'll see...

 

Yeah I've been wondering about that. I'm not sure if there's much (any?) precedent for JW conducting only the first half. Definitely hoping he does encores after the second half--would be weird to have the concert end without its star performer!

[DangerMotif 1,253]

2 hours ago, Tom said:

Remember that Just Down West Street has been significantly revised.......

Is there an available recording for it?

[Bespin Copilot 9,380]

8 minutes ago, DangerMotif said:

Is there an available recording for it?

 

It's not good enough to be recorded yet!

[Tom 5,410]

1 hour ago, DangerMotif said:

Is there an available recording for it?

Thus my hinting ...   

 

It was revealed by the BPO insider guy on the board that the piece had a significant revision.  I think the newer version has been performed, but I don't think we have a recording.  Though, I could be wrong.  

[DangerMotif 1,253]

1 hour ago, Tom said:

Thus my hinting ...   

 

It was revealed by the BPO insider guy on the board that the piece had a significant revision.  I think the newer version has been performed, but I don't think we have a recording.  Though, I could be wrong.  

Never heard the original piece, there’s no recordings for it online 

[Tom 5,410]

I heard it in a full concert BPO broadcast.  It is more in the vein of his concert style, but it is very peppy.  The last part was a bit too similar to the last movement of Soundings, for my tastes.  Maybe the revision changes things a bit.  

[Miguel Andrade 1,462]

Just Down West Street... was premiered by the TMC Orchestra under Stephen Asbury and that performance was available for a short period on the BSO website. That same year, Stephane Deneve conducted the piece, again with the TMC Orchestra, during Tanglewood on Parade.

Deneve did conduct it at least once more, in Los Angeles, with an orchestra I can't recall right now (it wasn't the LA Phil). 

The piece was part of the program of Across the Stars at Tanglewood, but was replaced by Galaxy's Edge.

9 hours ago, Tom said:

I heard it in a full concert BPO broadcast.  It is more in the vein of his concert style, but it is very peppy.  The last part was a bit too similar to the last movement of Soundings, for my tastes.  Maybe the revision changes things a bit.  

 

I actually find it rather accessible. Maybe it shares some of the same musical dna of Soundings or For Seiji, but then again, as Herrmann would put it... Well you know his angry reply, don't you 😅

[Tom 5,410]

Don't get me wrong, I liked the piece (as I do like his concert style).  However, my favorite Williams's concert piece moment might be the last movement of Soundings.  Hearing such a similar take later was a bit jarring.  

[rpvee 891]

After being completely sold out for half a year, three seats opened up this morning - one left orchestra aisle seat in row M, and two partial view ones all the way up on the third balcony. I grabbed the M one, and the two balcony ones were already gone by the time I finished checking out. But if anyone else is still hoping to attend this, keep checking up until just about showtime!

[Jay 41,649]

So? Who's at the show tonight?

[rpvee 891]

14 minutes ago, Jay said:

So? Who's at the show tonight?

Me!

[Jay 41,649]

Sweet, be sure to share a full report!

[Saxman717 22]

30 minutes ago, Jay said:

So? Who's at the show tonight?

Me as well! 

[Spencer Christofferson 3]

42 minutes ago, Jay said:

So? Who's at the show tonight?

I am! New member here! A new development that I'm thrilled about. In the program at the theater, "in tonight's concert Stephane Deneve will conduct the first half of the program and John Williams will conduct the second half"

[Saxman717 22]

Special change of schedule included in the program.... "In tonight's concert Stephane Deneve will conduct the first half of the program and John Williams will conduct the second half" (!!!!!!) 

[rpvee 891]

Relatively major plot twist! Interesting that Williams and Yo-Yo wouldn’t share the stage together, but Williams conducting the second half’s contents sounds way more fun, so no complaints from me!

 

EDIT: Seems two others already reported the news, haha, but here’s a pic of the insert!

 

[DangerMotif 1,253]

Massive, hope it’s the same for NY also

[Meredith McKay 7,519]

6 minutes ago, rpvee said:

Relatively major plot twist! Interesting that Williams and Yo-Yo wouldn’t share the stage together, but

 

9 minutes ago, Spencer Christofferson said:

[There is] A new development that I'm thrilled about.

 

6 minutes ago, Saxman717 said:

[There is a] Special change of schedule included in the program.... "In tonight's concert Stephane Deneve will conduct the first half of the program and John Williams will conduct the second half" (!!!!!!) 

Combined, for fun

[Potterhead 43]

I’m guessing encore with Yo Yo Ma after first half , maybe Schindler‘s list

[rpvee 891]

Intermission! Schindler’s was indeed the first half encore. Williams came out before and after the piece to wave to the audience and take a bow.
 

[Potterhead 43]

Excited to hear about encores! 

[Jay 41,649]

So was the Mark Graham piece not for tonight?