Interview with Astronaut, Violinist, John Williams fan Sarah Gillis

[karelm 3,255]

I had the opportunity to talk with astronaut, rocket scientist, spacewalker, violinist, and John Williams fan, Sarah Gillis!  Our wide ranging conversation talked about her passions for music, music education, John Williams, her experience working with The Maestro and the other musicians, plus her work and voyage to space which she just returned from. 

 

The full interview is here: Violinist Sarah Gillis on Playing John Williams’ Music in Space (Exclusive Interview) – JOHN WILLIAMS Fan Network – JWFan.com

 

 

[Tom 6,378]

I just read through the interview.  You did an absolutely fantastic job.  I love the balance you showed with the ample questions about JW and those directed to her personally.  She also was very generous with her responses.  

[karelm 3,255]

25 minutes ago, Tom said:

I just read through the interview.  You did an absolutely fantastic job.  I love the balance you showed with the ample questions about JW and those directed to her personally.  She also was very generous with her responses.  

Wow, thank you good sir!  I'll share it with them!   I'm deeply passionate about both topics, space and music and had millions of questions.  She was super generous and gave me extra time as well.  

[Jay 45,085]

Great job and cool pictures!

[mrbellamy 7,880]

Great read, thanks a lot

 

Incidentally, I'd been trying to recall why the name Sarah Gillis seemed so familiar to me and why I even felt like I'd heard of her collaborating with JW before this...I just realized I was thinking of the French Hornist Sarah Willis 

[Sunshine Reger 3,699]

Quote

We also needed to get Anne-Sophie Mutter’s support for this because she actually has the rights to the violin arrangement of this in particular. John reached out to her, asking for permission to do this as well.

 

"Hello Anna-Sophie, here is John, John Williams. Listen, Anna-Sophie, SpaceX is sending a young violinist the furthest from Earth any human being has been since Apollo 17 in 1972. The young lady wants to play an arrangement I wrote for you back then..."

 

Imagine getting a call like that 

 

[Thor 9,334]

And then responding: "No can do! It's mine! Miiiiiiiiine!"

[JohnnyD 1,744]

That was a great interview.

[karelm 3,255]

2 hours ago, Thor said:

And then responding: "No can do! It's mine! Miiiiiiiiine!"

 

Didn't she pay Johnny with cookies for the arrangement?  Now it is he who must bake cookies for her.

[Tom 6,378]

5 hours ago, Thor said:

And then responding: "No can do! It's mine! Miiiiiiiiine!"

And so, it is basically Anne's theme now.

 

 

And so, it is basically Sarah's theme now.

 

[milie 1]

I'm blown away by how amazing this is.

[karelm 3,255]

If any of you are interested in more, here is a new interview with Sarah and again mentioning performing Rey's Theme while in orbit.