America’s 250th Birthday Celebration is coming up… You know what that means!

[Garrett 161]

In 1986, John Williams wrote Liberty Fanfare, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

 

In 1992, John Williams wrote Celebrate Discovery, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Christopher Columbus’s voyage.

 

In 1999, Bill Clinton commissioned a John Williams piece to accompany the film American Journey, celebrating the new millennium.

 

And in 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. And it sounds like the President has big plans…

 

I’d bet the farm that Donald Trump commissions a new John Williams piece! 
 

Unfortunately, John Williams was passed over for the 200th anniversary in 1976. Perhaps he was too young. I feel like he’s old enough now, though!

 

 

[Thor 8,517]

A commission like that would need to come from someone else, but if there were such an event in 2026, I wouldn't be surprised if he was asked. But first things first. Let him recover totally from his current ailment.

[BB-8 4,055]

Imperial March will do for now.

 

[Incanus 5,820]

3 hours ago, BB-8 said:

Imperial March will do for now.

March of the Villains from Superman would be apt methinks.

[Miguel Andrade 1,381]

Liberty Fanfare was for the commemoration of the statue's 100th anniversary, not 200th.

 

As for a piece for 2026, I honestly don't see it happening. Actually, not even sure if such a serious composer would be asked to contribute...

And to think that last time (although it was premiered already after the fact) we got Bernstein's sublime Songfest.

[Tallguy 4,570]

2 hours ago, BB-8 said:

Imperial March will do for now.

 

If someone dissolves the Senate I'll owe you an apology.

 

2 hours ago, Incanus said:

March of the Villains from Superman would be apt methinks.

 

I mean, it's the whole 250 years, not the last ten minutes (or eight years). But I suppose opinions vary.

[Andy 5,221]

1 hour ago, Tallguy said:

But I suppose opinions vary.

 

 

[Marian Schedenig 9,158]

Let's first see if there's anything left to celebrate in 2026…

[Garrett 161]

3 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

Liberty Fanfare was for the commemoration of the statue's 100th anniversary, not 200th.

 

As for a piece for 2026, I honestly don't see it happening. Actually, not even sure if such a serious composer would be asked to contribute...

And to think that last time (although it was premiered already after the fact) we got Bernstein's sublime Songfest.

You’re right. Edited!

[Manakin Skywalker 5,386]

I'm just here for the inevitable chaos before this thread eventually gets locked 

[Taikomochi 1,257]

Williams made his thoughts on the man who would be commissioning such a piece clear back in those remarks he gave after the NYC concert a year or two ago. I doubt he would accept such a commission.

[Tallguy 4,570]

2 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

Williams made his thoughts on the man who would be commissioning such a piece clear back in those remarks he gave after the NYC concert a year or two ago. I doubt he would accept such a commission.

 

It wouldn't be the man, it would be the country. I would think JW still likes the country.

[Taikomochi 1,257]

Just seems too tasteful for said man in question. More likely we’d get an original composition from luminaries like Kid Rock

[Andy 5,221]

4 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

I would think JW still likes the country.

‘Murica or America?

[Manakin Skywalker 5,386]

They can play "Biff's World" from Back to the Future Part II. Seems fitting.

 

 

[Davis 3,159]

John Williams is an American patriot who loves his country. If he got a commission from the US government, regardless of who is the president, I’m sure he would take it. It’s not like the United States is the nazi Germany, so if the Trump administration would ask him to compose a piece, JW would do it, imho. Besides I don’t think that Trump is interested in orchestral music, but since JW composed Home Alone 2, he might ask him.  

[Andy 5,221]

Perhaps Williams could just contribute some timpani overlays to an existing source music march. 

[Davis 3,159]

Just now, Andy said:

Perhaps Williams could just contribute some timpani overlays to an existing source music march. 

The best man for that job is Lorne Balfe. 1000 timpanists marching on.

[Taikomochi 1,257]

I don’t see JW willfully being used as a prop in a giant propaganda piece to virtue signal how only a certain group of people really love America, but that’s just me.

[Not Mr. Big 4,742]

25 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

Williams made his thoughts on the man who would be commissioning such a piece clear back in those remarks he gave after the NYC concert a year or two ago. I doubt he would accept such a commission.

Never heard about this.  Any links to what he said?

[Taikomochi 1,257]

1 minute ago, Not Mr. Big said:

Never heard about this.  Any links to what he said?

https://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34710-john-williams-conducts-the-new-york-philharmonic-april-25-2023/&do=findComment&comment=1954471

[Tom 5,153]

Ah yes, another Trump presidency--a time when we gleefully ignore the no politics rule and allow this forum this be pulled down to the lowest common denominator of political discourse.   

[Taikomochi 1,257]

Personally, in my interpretation of the rule, it should be fair game to point out JW would have no interest in such an event based on his past comments. The people making jokes about the Imperial March above… well I can’t defend those. But they were funny lol

[BB-8 4,055]

57 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

Let's first see if there's anything left to celebrate in 2026…

 

[Manakin Skywalker 5,386]

To be fair the "no politics" rule is in place to protect the ~half a dozen users on this 10,000+ user forum (don't know the exact number) that align with one side of the political spectrum. I know this because I have the same rule on my Discord server to keep the maybe 1-2 users who are also on that side of the political spectrum from throwing a hissy fit.

[Davis 3,159]

I’m anti-Trump and I don’t mind discussing politics on the forum in a civilized manner. Reality still exists regardless of some trying to pretend or deny it doesn’t. Just because we disagree with someone or dislike them, they too have a right to speak and have their opinions on anything and we shouldn’t force them to stay quiet.

[Loert 2,740]

52 minutes ago, Davis said:

Besides I don’t think that Trump is interested in orchestral music

 

Wrong. Trump is the biggest JW fan you've ever seen in your life.

[Garrett 161]

9 hours ago, Thor said:

A commission like that would need to come from someone else, but if there were such an event in 2026, I wouldn't be surprised if he was asked. But first things first. Let him recover totally from his current ailment.

He’s sick right now? I didn’t hear that. What’s the situation?

[Thor 8,517]

20 minutes ago, Garrett said:

He’s sick right now? I didn’t hear that. What’s the situation?

 

Nobody knows. But he's on the mend, according to his daughter.

[GerateWohl 5,167]

Great opportunity. JW hasn't written a Requiem yet.

[Jurassic Shark 13,390]

They're all dead.

[Tallguy 4,570]

7 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

They're all dead.

 

I'm always impressed when someone still manages to make that line funny. Kudos.

[Edmilson 9,141]

 

1 hour ago, Loert said:

 

Wrong. Trump is the biggest JW fan you've ever seen in your life.

Donald, is that you? So when you're not tweeting you come here?

[Tallguy 4,570]

1) I think the discourse has been at a reasonably civil level.

2) If a thread about the United States of America's 250th birthday gets locked because the some people don't like president-elect I will be horribly offended.

3) My offense plus two bucks will get you a cup of coffee. Not even a really good cup of coffee.

 

Other than JW (and leaving aside jokes that Kanye West should do it) who could be asked to write such a piece, assuming JW is unable? I would just name other film composers that I liked. Has Silvestri done anything like this? James Newton Howard?

 

1 hour ago, Loert said:

 

Wrong. Trump is the biggest JW fan you've ever seen in your life.

 

Is JW a euphemism for boobs that I didn't know about?

 

[Jurassic Shark 13,390]

3 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

who could be asked to write such a piece, assuming JW is unable?

 

There's another...

 

 

[Edmilson 9,141]

John Debney should do it. He seems to be more... aligned... with the political stances of the president elected.

[That_Bloke 125]

3 hours ago, Taikomochi said:

Just seems too tasteful for said man in question. More likely we’d get an original composition from luminaries like Kid Rock

 

I think Yeezy has a better chance of being asked, or maybe even Dixon Dallas. Any man who can write a country song  about having his "bussy kissed" by another man must be worthy of a president's consideration.

[Jurassic Shark 13,390]

3 hours ago, Andy said:

‘Murica or America?

 

He probably meant JW likes country.

[Edmilson 9,141]

3 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

He probably meant JW likes country.

I don't think he was talking about John Williams the guitarist.

[Quintus 5,468]

You have to wonder what JW thinks about having his music play in the background here.

[Jurassic Shark 13,390]

It does?

 

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

They're All Dead for (De)Composer and Orchestra

 

Improved.

[Davis 3,159]

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

John Debney should do it. He seems to be more... aligned... with the political stances of the president elected.

Only a republican composer can write a piece on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the USA?

[Mr. Hooper 3,554]

4 hours ago, Manakin Skywalker said:

I'm just here for the inevitable chaos before this thread eventually gets locked 

 

It'll get locked when someone takes a swipe at Harris. Trump is fair game. 

[Davis 3,159]

What does the president-elect or the vice president have to do with the topic of the thread? 

[Edmilson 9,141]

JW is writing a musical piece for Trump, it'll be called "Scherzo for Tiny Weener and Orchestra" 

 

Jokes apart, I think this whole discussion is nonsense. I don't think neither the American government, whoever sits in the chair, will ask Williams a piece nor he'll be in full conditions of doing so. He's in approaching his mid 90s.

[Mr. Hooper 3,554]

It's improbable, it's fair to say.

[John Dutton 7,506]

Isn't that the helpful guy from the Plaza Hotel?

[Jurassic Shark 13,390]

17 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

JW is writing a musical piece for Trump, it'll be called "Scherzo for Tiny Weener and Orchestra" 

 

Jokes apart, I think this whole discussion is nonsense. I don't think neither the American government, whoever sits in the chair, will ask Williams a piece nor he'll be in full conditions of doing so. He's in approaching his mid 90s.

 

Well, he recently wrote a very good score for Dial of Destiny. He's probably able to write a five minute celebrational fanfare/march unless he's had a stroke. 

[Miguel Andrade 1,381]

Plenty great composers to choose from that have an unmistakable American character to their music... John Adams and Michael Daugherty just on top of my mind for writing some sort of long form celebratory piece.

[Edmilson 9,141]

1 minute ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Well, he recently wrote a very good score for Dial of Destiny. He's probably able to write a five minute celebrational fanfare/march unless he's had a stroke. 

Yeah but he was like 2 years younger than he was today when he scored DoD. And in his 90s even a couple years can make a difference.