Yo-Yo Ma, Williams & Dudamel : John Williams, curator and conductor / Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra - April 3rd and 4th, 2025 + April 5 & 6 concerts

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

1 hour ago, Davis said:

People who bought expensive tickets and are spending a lot of money on their trip to Berlin deserve to see John Williams conduct, not a substitute. 

Yes, and I understand that the Berlin Phil reserves the right to switch artists and won't necessarily offer refunds in such an event — but, as it was pointed out in the Berlin thread, the concert is called "John Williams Conducts John Williams"...

 

No offence to Stéphane Denève of course, but Williams not appearing is like advertising The Rolling Stones and then saying someone's going to step in for an ailing Mick Jagger.

 

People are not jetting in from the four corners of the world to see a substitute, as you say.

[Davis 3,949]

3 hours ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Do we know he was unable to walk?

I don’t think we do. I wrote that I hope that he can walk on his own. I don’t know if he can or can’t, I hope he can. There is no indication as far as I know that he can’t. I guess we’ll have to find out either in April or in June, or later.

 

 

2 hours ago, Thor said:

Just take it as it comes, is my advice

Tell that to those who made serious plans in advance, including booking hotel rooms, plane tickets, taking days off etc. No one forced them to do so, yes, but it’s a fact that John Williams who is 93 years old, with several serious illnesses, at this point can’t guarantee that he will attend his concerts. And he knows it, the Berlin Phil knows it, and they don’t seem to care. All due respect to JW, the Berlin Phil, but also to the Audience, this is a little bit irresponsible and a little bit selfish on the artist’s part. He is putting a lot of people into a position where they have to make serious financial decisions in order to attend an event in the future not knowing for sure whether the artist will be able to attend. JW and the Berlin Phil expect them to act only on hope. If I were Williams, I wouldn’t do this to all these people, because I wouldn’t want to feel bad that I disappointed so many people who paid a lot of money and invested their precious time and energy to see me conduct. I hope there is someone here who understands what I’m talking about without getting personal as usual. This is not about Williams, but about a very old man whose health is not what it used to be, who should think about his fans who are willing to travel across the world just to see him conduct, and not about himself and what he wants. Because if he can’t do it, it won’t just make him disappointed, it will disappoint many people who he made believe something he probably shouldn’t have promised in the first place simply because he can’t guarantee it anymore, therefore it is his moral obligation not to put others in a situation that can easily go sideways. He shouldn’t take this risk and shouldn’t let others take this risk for him, either, because that’s the right thing to do at this point in his life.

[Brando 2,469]

I shared it in the Miami thread but the video was posted to Facebook:

 

 

[Once 903]

1 hour ago, Davis said:

I hope there is someone here who understands what I’m talking about without getting personal as usual. This is not about Williams, but about a very old man whose health is not what it used to be, who should think about his fans who are willing to travel across the world just to see him conduct, and not about himself and what he wants. Because if he can’t do it, it won’t just make him disappointed, it will disappoint many people who he made believe something he probably shouldn’t have promised in the first place.

I'd argue you're getting personal yourself by calling Williams 'irresponsible' and 'selfish' for simply announcing concerts like any other artist.

If no one in his age range took these risks I would never have gotten to see Williams live in the first place - nor many other great older artists like Ennio Morricone and Bent Fabricius-Bjerre.

Their fans aren't feeble children who can't handle disappointments. We're all adults here, everyone buying tickets know the risks involved and have decided it's worth it. No one is forcing anyone to attend these concerts.  

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

I'm sure that Williams is of sound mind (he looked it in the Miami video), and that he's consulted with his doctor(s) about undertaking a trip abroad. So I think everyone's acting in good faith here, and that Williams isn't self-deluding. But with that said, yes, anything can happen between now and Berlin, and anyone thinking of going needs to understand and assume the risk.

[Keith 63]

3 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

No offence to Stéphane Denève of course, but Williams not appearing is like advertising The Rolling Stones and then saying someone's going to step in for an ailing Mick Jagger.

 

People are not jetting in from the four corners of the world to see a substitute, as you say.

Deneve is not a substitute.  He is the conductor of the NWS Orchestra.  JW was never listed as the conductor for last nights event.  The concert was honoring JW and a fund raising Gala for NWS.   I was there and it was still a wonderful night but definitely was sad that JW was not there because I have never seen him in person.  I’ll be there April 3 and if he is simply present and unable to conduct there will be disappointed fans but I’ll be esctatic to have finally seen him in person. I’ll be traveling from South Florida.

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

4 minutes ago, Keith said:

Deneve is not a substitute.

I was talking about Berlin.

[Keith 63]

According to Google AI it says JW had a stroke in 2024

[Marian Schedenig 10,155]

3 hours ago, Keith said:

According to Google AI it says JW had a stroke in 2024

 

Which just means that someone said he has. We knew that much. Whether it's true or not is not something you'll get from an LLM (I've stopped calling them "AI"), unless it gives you a verifiable source.

[Taikomochi 1,328]

Even if I believe he had a stroke, which I do, Google AI is not a reliable source of information. 

[Tom 5,614]

2 hours ago, Taikomochi said:

Even if I believe he had a stroke, which I do, Google AI is not a reliable source of information. 

What happens if Google AI declares that it itself is not a reliable source of information?  

 

 

[mrbellamy 7,302]

This really told me all I needed to know about the state of Google AI

 

[Keith 63]

If John did in fact have a stroke back in may or june 2024 then naturally it explains why he cancelled the LA concert that was scheduled back in June or July of 2024.   Likely impossible for him to be at that one.    But ALL other shows since then have been out of state.   It's possible his doctor has not cleared him for travel yet.   But the April 3 concert in LA is the first home concert since then.   Where he doesn't need to travel far.   Fingers crossed he can make it.

[Toillion 387]

On 24/02/2025 at 1:46 PM, Keith said:

According to Google AI it says JW had a stroke in 2024

 

On 24/02/2025 at 5:01 PM, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Which just means that someone said he has. We knew that much. Whether it's true or not is not something you'll get from an LLM (I've stopped calling them "AI"), unless it gives you a verifiable source.

 

The source Google is using is a GoFundMe page for a different John Williams.

 

[jwfan944 0]

Hello everybody. Unfortunately due to a work trip that just came up, I will no longer be able to make it to the April 4 concert, so, very sadly I am selling my tickets.

 

Where are your seats?

2 tickets together in Front Terrace, Row G.

 

Are they good?

Oh yes. I outlined in red in the image below exactly where they are. They are in Front Terrace, Row G, and in the center part of that row.  What's particularly notable about these seats is that there's a section and elevation change right in front of you - so you will have nobody directly in front of you - it will feel like you are front row of the section and you should have an incredible uninterrupted view.

 

 

How much did they cost?

$339.00 ticket cost plus $30.00 fees per ticket, for a total of $369.00 per ticket. I am selling these at value, not a penny more.

 

 

Are you real?

Yes. I am more than happy to meet in person in Los Angeles (at a Starbucks, or police station) to transact. If you don't live in LA, we can use PayPal goods & services which has buyer and seller protection, I would just ask you add 3.5% to cover the fee that PayPal charges.

 

How would I get the tickets?

They reside in my LAPhil.com account. LAPhil.com is the proprietary ticketing platform that the venue built. Tickets can be transferred to you, similar to transferring tickets to someone on Ticketmaster. I generate a "share link", you click on the link, log in (or create an account) and claim the tickets into your LAPhil.com account.

 

If you are interested, shoot me a DM with your cell phone number and let's connect!

[MSM 128]

I am selling my LA tickets, see

https://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/forum/15-the-marketplace/

[Jay 42,445]

5 hours ago, MSM said:

I cant find the trading board anymore🙈

 

https://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/forum/15-the-marketplace/

[alikazmi9000 1]

Seems like he was removed as conductor from the April 3 show as well

 

https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3103/2025-04-03/yo-yo-ma-williams-dudamel

[Jay 42,445]

Well there it is.

[micah 13]

The chance of Berlin keeps getting lower and lower.

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

3 minutes ago, micah said:

The chance of Berlin keeps getting lower and lower.

If Williams doesn't at least make an appearance in April and step up to conduct 'The Imperial March' as the last encore, I'll be legit concerned.

[artguy360 2,023]

I've accepted that his health and advanced age no longer allow him to make public appearances or conduct like he has in recent years. JW is in his twilight and that's ok. No one lives forever. He has given us so much, I'm not expecting anything more going forward aside from what has already been written but not yet performed/released.

[BB-8 5,031]

John Williams - A Curator's Life

[bollemanneke 4,013]

6 hours ago, artguy360 said:

I've accepted that his health and advanced age no longer allow him to make public appearances or conduct like he has in recent years. JW is in his twilight and that's ok. No one lives forever. He has given us so much, I'm not expecting anything more going forward aside from what has already been written but not yet performed/released.

Agreed. I would be more surprised whenever he does appear, going forward. I'm not expecting anything at all from him anymore. He just has to be as happy as possible.

[MaxCGN 14]

What does curator exactly mean? Does he appear at the concert but dont conduct?

[Brando 2,469]

5 minutes ago, MaxCGN said:

What does curator exactly mean? Does he appear at the concert but dont conduct?

I believe he just chooses what pieces are performed 

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

On 8/3/2025 at 4:44 PM, micah said:

The chance of Berlin keeps getting lower and lower.

[BB-8 5,031]

But hey, we should be saying to ourselves: these may be the last concerts officially curated by JW, so a good reason to attend in person.

[Once 903]

Of course any cancellation is sad, but for some reason I find that I care more about Williams's general health than his ability to work.

2025 is looking pretty good to me, actually; The Reivers expansion, the piano concerto, the new Yo-Yo Ma piece, the Berlin Philharmoniker performing Williams's music (with or without him) in June and, best of all, the biography!

[Davis 3,949]

2 hours ago, Once said:

Of course any cancellation is sad, but for some reason I find that I care more about Williams's general health than his ability to work.

2025 is looking pretty good to me, actually; The Reivers expansion, the piano concerto, the new Yo-Yo Ma piece, the Berlin Philharmoniker performing Williams's music (with or without him) in June and, best of all, the biography!

Very well said.

[BB-8 5,031]

15 hours ago, MaxCGN said:

What does curator exactly mean? Does he appear at the concert but dont conduct?

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/curator

[Jay 42,445]

6 hours ago, Once said:

the new Yo-Yo Ma piece

 

Did I miss/forget news that this is debuting somewhere this year?

 

There's nothing in the thread about that.

[Once 903]

5 minutes ago, Jay said:

 

Did I miss/forget news that this is debuting somewhere this year?

 

There's nothing in the thread about that.

No, you didn't miss nor forget any news about it, after writing my comment I actually wondered the same as you and looked for that threat (I couldn't find it). It was an assumption, I guess, it is not known when the piece will debut, it might not be this year! Although I've been told it has been recorded.

[Jay 42,445]

56 minutes ago, Once said:

looked for that threat (I couldn't find it)

 

This pinned thread at the top of the John Williams subforum is where to go to look for something like that

 

Find-A-Thread & Information Catalog - All upcoming & recent John Williams works & concerts

[Keith 63]

I’m going April 3 and naturally sad he won’t be there to conduct.  I’m hoping he will be there to perhaps just attend and enjoy hearing his music performed live one more time.  I’ll enjoy the show either way.  I personally don’t think he will be there at all because there could be lesser understanding fans that bought the ticket expensively and are upset he won’t conduct.  Why would he want to face that disappointment live?   Again, I hope he’s there.  I would be thrilled if he was.

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

2 hours ago, Keith said:

I personally don’t think he will be there at all because there could be lesser understanding fans that bought the ticket expensively and are upset he won’t conduct.  Why would he want to face that disappointment live?

I shudder to think that any "fan" would express disappointment towards a nonagenarian in ill health, but if anyone dared to, I think they'd be roasted on a spit by the rest of the audience!

[Tom 5,614]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I shudder to think that any "fan" would express disappointment towards a nonagenarian in ill health, but if anyone dared to, I think they'd be roasted on a spit by the rest of the audience!

 

[BB-8 5,031]

11 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I shudder to think that any "fan" would express disappointment towards a nonagenarian in ill health, but if anyone dared to, I think they'd be roasted on a spit by the rest of the audience!

 

Response at the box office to change in program - first half: selected compositions by John Williams conducted by Dirk Brossé, second half: Beethoven's 5th and Ravel's Boléro conducted by Stéphane Denève...

 

Sorry...was supposed to go into the Berlin concert thread.

[Davis 3,949]

.

[ZackR 167]

Super disappointed to see Williams has been removed as conductor for 4/3. I'll be flying out there for the show, but still excited nonetheless. I hope he's well enough to attend, but certainly understand if he can't. We are so incredibly fortunate to still have him at all.

[Keith 63]

April 1 at Hollywood Bowl is a concert for First Responders where they are playing a lot of John Williams music.   I wonder if he will be there. 

[Foxfan 188]

On 11/03/2025 at 4:42 AM, BB-8 said:

 

Response at the box office to change in program - first half: selected compositions by John Williams conducted by Dirk Brossé, second half: Beethoven's 5th and Ravel's Boléro conducted by Stéphane Denève...

 

 

TBH it is perfectly conceivable that future concerts will pair Beethoven's 5th with Williams' Duel of the Fates.

 

Fate knocks at the door, then battles it out.

[Jay 42,445]

So are any JWFanners meeting up in LA tonight or later this week?

[MaxFMusic 52]

39 minutes ago, Jay said:

So are any JWFanners meeting up in LA tonight or later this week?

Not sure yet, but I'll be there tomorrow night if anyone wants to meet up!

[ZackR 167]

Williams is here. Was just brought in via wheelchair and then was helped to his seat. But he’s in attendance.

[Once 903]

Great to hear Williams is there to enjoy the concert! Is this his first public appearance in over a year?

[clairdelune 2]

This is the best!! I’m reaaaaalllyy hoping he can make it tomorrow too!! Thank you for giving us the best news 😍

[ZackR 167]

Dudamel acknowledged him (not verbally) after Yo Yo Ma was done and there was a lengthy ovation for John. He can’t stand unassisted it seems but from where I sit, he seemed to be in great spirits and was helped to his feet to acknowledge the audience and eventually motioned for everyone to sit down. 
 

So happy to see him here.

[BB-8 5,031]

Happy and concerned at the same time:

Good to hear that he can attend concerts to enjoy music. But we need to remain realistic about Berlin.

[Mr. Hooper 5,118]

Yes, let's enjoy the moment, of seeing him out for the first time in over a year... I'll go into panic mode over Berlin tomorrow, after a good night's rest.