What was JW's most recent/last masterpiece in your eyes?

[artguy360 2,175]

We're all JW fans here. We listen to his music, soak up every bit of information we can find, analyze his music over and over.

 

As a JW fan, what do you consider to be his most recent masterpiece? Could be a whole film score, a concert work, a single cue or album track, whatever floats your boat.

 

For me it's 2012's Lincoln score. The score is note perfect, thematically rich, and ends with an all-time great JW end title. I listen to the soundtrack all the time and just appreciate the mastery on display.

https://youtu.be/sxyDSZ3fMcM?si=Nu1h9Xie8DNWvR8t

 

[filmmusic 3,133]

Difficult question.

Maybe I would say Dear Basketball (2017).

If not, then I would probably fall back on Lincoln too.

(I haven't listened to the The Rise of Skywalker enough to pick a certain track from there, and I didn't really connect to some more recent obvious choices like Helena's theme or Mother and Son from The Fabelmans)

[Miguel Andrade 1,707]

The Piano Concerto!

[benoitjean 76]

2 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

Le Concerto pour piano !

Similar

 

JB

[Luke Skywalker 2,346]

Hmmm. I would say memoirs of a geisha. And if it didnt have a few cues basically being re-recordings of previous material, kingdom of the crystal skull. I dont know maybe tintin or war horse…

[filmmusic 3,133]

Just now, Luke Skywalker said:

Hmmm. I would say memoirs of a geisha

Oh, you went even further earlier! 

[Bespin Copilot 10,672]

For my part... Jedi steps and Finale (from Star Wars: Disney Awakens)... this is grand art!

 

And honestly, that beautiful Fabelmans theme… who could resist? It feels simple on the surface, though it’s far from it.
 

 

[BloodBoal 8,363]

Disclosure Day, hopefully.

[Luke Skywalker 2,346]

Ah i didnt read correctly and i thought we were talking about complete works.

 

as a single piece masterpiece…

 

i supose something more recent could be rey’s theme. 
 

i had forgot the whole concept album across  the stars too.

[Tom 6,546]

Of Grit and Glory is a personal favorite.  The piano concerto is quite impressive.  In the vein of his other concertos but also having many unique moments.  

[Escape_Velocity 59]

If we’re talking film scores, I’d say either Lincoln or The Force Awakens. Not to say anything since hasn’t been masterful, it’s just those two scores have the most lasting cultural impact.

 

Works in general? The Piano Concerto! What a tour de force that one is!

[crumbs 15,927]

I'd say Memoirs of a Geisha was the last masterpiece of a full score, which isn't to discount some incredible scores which followed (War Horse and Lincoln being at the top of that list).

[Jay 45,565]

Maybe Rise of Skywalker if we ever get to actually hear the whole thing

 

The Force Awakens otherwise

[Edmilson 11,999]

Full scores? War Horse and Lincoln.

 

Tracks? This one:

 

 

[CinderTech 1,755]

I will forever love Helena's theme, but it's incredibly difficult to beat this

 

 

[Muad'Dib 2,026]

From his film music, Rey's Theme.

 

And from the concert world, definitely the Piano Concerto.

[Simon R 5]

15 hours ago, HunterTech said:

I will forever love Helena's theme, but it's incredibly difficult to beat this

 

 

And I thought I was the only one who thought The Jedi Steps is an incredibly powerful theme and wished it was used and developed further than became the case. 

[Darth Mulder 172]

Hedwig's Theme 

[Jim 6,258]

I agree with the comments about Helena's theme and Jedi Steps being his most recent best themes. I can't recall it right now, but I think his Obi Wan one was also solid.

[A. A. Ron 2,467]

The concert suite for The Rise of Skywalker.

[Jurassic Shark 16,256]

Probably his Dreamworks logo music. 

[Escape_Velocity 59]

4 hours ago, A. A. Ron said:

The concert suite for The Rise of Skywalker.

If we ever get to hear it 

[Tom 6,546]

The entirety of Vol III.  

[TolkienSS 517]

Tintin is probably the right answer. Original, rich, and doesn't fall flat automatically by better JW entries in a series.

[Datameister 2,564]

Hard to say.

 

He never wrote a work after ANH that I could definitively say I prefer, but that doesn't feel like the right answer because he definitely wrote other masterpieces after that one regardless.

 

TFA stands head and shoulders above any of the "big" scores that followed, although it's difficult to compare it to some of JW's most undeniable prior masterpieces.

 

The Fabelmans is a perfect swan song. If I ever put together a chronological-ish playlist of highlights from his entire lifetime, it will almost certainly be the conclusion.

 

I've argued before that Hedwig's theme is the last time JW wrote a theme that had the kind of pop culture penetration you find with his most popular works. On the other hand, POA is the last time I heard a certain type of energy in his work—a sort of "boiling over" of inventive vigor.

[Richard P 5,186]

War Horse

 

So rich in long-lined themes, English influence and overall quality. It's the most recent project where I think we got a perfect storm of a good canvas and a composer absolutely in their element. The problem with the Fabelmans for me is that the film just didn't need a prominent score on the same level, and as soon as you dilute the soundscape with pre-existing pieces, the score becomes connective material, rather than the most prominent aspect.

 

If we're talking about the last theme he wrote that reached undeniable widespread public recognition, it has to be Hedwig's theme.

[Arpy 4,255]

If it's recent then I'm thinking in the last few years, and to my ears that has to be Helena's Theme from Dial of Destiny. I love how it feels almost inevitable in its melody, as only JW can do, it becomes an earworm that makes you want to absorb every little instance of it in the score. 

[rp75012 15]

Dear basketball is amazing. Interestingly I think it’s one of the last JW score post -2015 that sounds like it could belong to a JW 2000s era.

 

The writing, the sound of the strings / brass.

something in the orchestration of JW changed in the 2010s era, sounded less “lush”, still amazing though 

[Tallguy 7,170]

On 14/02/2026 at 8:10 AM, Luke Skywalker said:

i supose something more recent could be rey’s theme. 

 

This was my vote.

[Mr. Hooper 8,367]

On 15/2/2026 at 9:06 AM, Darth Mulder said:

Hedwig's Theme 

 

Yeah, I'd probably have to go back to this to name a piece that elicited a pronouncement of "Holy shit!" from me at the end.

 

Yes, the highest praise. lol

[Andy 7,409]

Rey’s Theme.  It really was in my memory as the first time in some years up until then the score took over and drove the film, mixed so forward as we see the character sledding down that hill.  For a few moments, it was magical, and the “old” John Williams was back for what had felt like years.  
 

Harder to pick a Masterpiece Score, where every bit counts.  If I’m being honest, probably Temple of Doom. If I’m being generous, maaaaybe Hook, but it’s flawed. 

[filmmusic 3,133]

4 minutes ago, Andy said:

Harder to pick a Masterpiece Score, where every bit counts.  If I’m being honest, probably Temple of Doom. If I’m being generous, maaaaybe Hook, but it’s flawed. 

Really?

That far behind?

[Tom 6,546]

13 minutes ago, filmmusic said:

Really?

That far behind?

Perhaps he has a healthy fear of the Holocaust, dinosaurs, wizards, and being left home alone.  

[Mr. Hooper 8,367]

Home Alone? A masterpiece?

[Tallguy 7,170]

12 minutes ago, Andy said:

Harder to pick a Masterpiece Score, where every bit counts.  If I’m being honest, probably Temple of Doom. If I’m being generous, maaaaybe Hook, but it’s flawed. 

 

I see what you mean. I would probably go with at least Last Crusade. (Or Always!) There are not as many "I love every single note in this score and if you play something for me I can tell you exactly what it is" scores as I think there are. 

 

The highs of Jurassic Park are SO high. But I don't love the whole thing.

 

What if I just love everything that was originally on the album? (Definitely Last Crusade.)

 

But again, if I don't have to take all of The Force Awakens with it, it's Rey's Theme.

[SteveMc 2,687]

I must insist on The Book Thief as his most recent film masterwork.

 

The Star Wars sequels are of course consummate works of a master.

As is the Piano Concerto and his pretty much all of his recent concert output.  

I do wonder if he's had a true masterpiece in that realm since Heartwood.

[Tom 6,546]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Home Alone? A masterpiece?

Unequivocally yes.  

[Luke Skywalker 2,346]

2 hours ago, Andy said:

Rey’s Theme.  It really was in my memory as the first time in some years up until then the score took over and drove the film, mixed so forward as we see the character sledding down that hill.  For a few moments, it was magical, and the “old” John Williams was back for what had felt like years.  

THAT.

 

And then the film and sequels truly were so much afar from the old EU that it all went downhill for me.

[Bellosh 4,522]

Dial of Destiny and War Horse

 

I think Dial's album presentation is a work of art for a modern day franchise blockbuster

[Andy 7,409]

8 hours ago, Tallguy said:

 

I see what you mean. I would probably go with at least Last Crusade.

 Freudian slip?

 

Least Crusade is a competitor.  It was good. It was very, very good. 
 

I ain’t sayin’ it got Forestalled in the spike chamber, but it doesn’t take the golden idol. 

[Jurassic Shark 16,256]

Helena's Theme.

[Tallguy 7,170]

15 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Helena's Theme.

 

Too close to Anakin's theme and I have no idea what it's supposed to be saying about a young woman in 1969. It sounds as grounded in the '30's at Marion's theme. I'm listening to DoD at the behest of several people here's recommendations. I'm not hating it but it's not really grabbing me. (Much like the film.)

 

30 minutes ago, Andy said:

 Freudian slip?

 

No. I'm saying he made at least one more perfect Indy score.

[Mr. Hooper 8,367]

The Adventures of Mutt.

 

John loves it, and you should too.

[Jurassic Shark 16,256]

3 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

Too close to Anakin's theme and I have no idea what it's supposed to be saying about a young woman in 1969.

 

I listen to it and judge it as pure music.

[Edmilson 11,999]

3 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

The Adventures of Mutt.

 

John loves it, and you should too.

Irina's Theme (the concert version, not the "many cues stitched together" from the OST) > Adventures of Mutt.

 

9 hours ago, filmmusic said:

Really?

That far behind?

He likes less than half of JW's career 

[Mr. Hooper 8,367]

4 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Irina's Theme (the concert version, not the "many cues stitched together" from the OST) > Adventures of Mutt.

[Tom 6,546]

3 hours ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

I listen to it and judge it as pure music.

Very wise.  I would add Adventures of Mutt as another that is easier to appreciate along those lines.

[JWScores 127]

If by "masterpiece" we mean something that stands above the average of his own works (while being way above the average of other film scores), I think I would go for Memoirs of a Geisha. 

[GerateWohl 6,462]

The way I see it, he is the master and the last piece he wrote is his most recent masterpiece.

[rough cut 1,785]

Fanfare for the Vienna Philharmonic Ball.

 

…probably.