What is the most inherently Williams-esque thing?

[Hlao-roo 388]

It seems to me that if we're going to try to identify the most Williams-esque cue, we might as well start with the fundamentals...it might make KM's question a bit easier to answer.

At the FSM board, they're having a discussion about the most inherently Goldsmithian "thing"... it seems a lot of people over there are saying that it was his gift for rhythmic energy and variety. Others say it was his gift for melding orchestra with synthesizer.

How about Williams?

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Instantly accessible, memorable, "hummable" themes. Williams generally writes themes better than anyone else out there.

Ray Barnsbury

[flytrumpet 0]

I agree about the themes...he seems to have a wonderful gift to write themes you can easily remeber..even if they are sometimes quite complex musically.He works a lot with intervals when he builds a theme,that gives a lot of power..anyone can remember his minor 7th in the main theme of Star wars...it seems all his themes are based on intervals.

The gift is to make them beautiful..and not only mathematical...good example is the 5 note motif from CE3K....he did say it took him more than 300 attempts to find the right combination of 5 notes...Spielberg didn't want more than 5...it seems JW achieved it again...

Richard

[Kendal_Ozzel 32]

The man knows how to end a film. IMO, much if his greatest work is either right before the credits roll or as they finish rolling. As for stylistic similarities, like I said before, I can't really describe it well in musical terms. But just listen to the end of the "end credits" tracks from the SW OT. I think you all know what I mean.

[Guest]

Inherently Williams, a good question.

I would say, to start, a jazz-like harmonic movement. His modulations are unusual, even for jazz.

His changes in time signature are unique, it tends to be a short "riff" that evolves, rather than a repeated ostinato (ala Goldsmith)

[AC1 3,565]

Inherently Williams, a good question.  

I would say, to start, a jazz-like harmonic movement. His modulations are unusual, even for jazz.  

His changes in time signature are unique, it tends to be a short "riff" that evolves, rather than a repeated ostinato (ala Goldsmith)

I think you nailed it, AI. This is where we should look.

[Falstaft 1,708]

I think that answering this question is possible, but it'd take a long, long time to go through all of JW's distinct and instantly recognizable trademarks.

Here's a list of Williamsisms just off the top of my head.

1.) For end-credit suites to popluar movies, the big-brassy fanfare section composed of two interlocking themes or melodic sections, followed by langurous and super romantic variation of a Love Theme, followed by triumphant restatment of original theme (e.g. Superman, Star Wars, Raiders)

2.) Extensive use of Lydian scale/Major II in major, chiefly in the 80's (e.g. Yoda's Theme, Space Camp, E.T.)

3.) JW's low brass writing in action cues is almost always a stylistic dead-giveaway -- that punctuationary, frequently heard descending "da-DUHM" or "dah-dah-DUM-DUM-DUM!" (think of "Anderton's Great Escape" as JW's most stereotyped action cue).

There are so many more I haven't even begun to touch on, but those three at least cover characteristic structure, harmony and orchestration.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Boom-tzzzzzz?

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Boom-tzzzzzz?

Definitely. The first thing I thought of when reading the thread title.

Marian -

[Ollie 859]

While I lack alot of the musical knowledge to really contribute I've always thought Williams' writing for string instruments seperated him from his peers.

[Olivier 5]

Black turtle necks?

Since I lack musical knowledge, I will vote for themes too.

Williams may be the one (or one of the very ones) who has (have) written the most famous and quoted theme, viz: Jaws, Star Wars main title, Superman, Indiana Jones, E.T., Darth Vader / Empire's Theme -- 6 themes !

His themes are very memorable, catchy and easily hummable.

[John Crichton 4]

Black turtle necks?

LOL

[Eplicon 23]

The perfect fifth?

[King Mark 2,924]

Counterpoint.

Orchestrations.

K.M.

[Guest]

Counterpoint.

Counterpoint is certainly not unique to Williams though, there are many "classical" composers who had a masterful grasp of the technique, but he is the only film composer who really uses it effectively, now.

[TheMaulMan 0]

What about...energy? Here They Come!, Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra, Forest Battle, The Hunt...things in that vein.

[King Mark 2,924]

There's a certain propulsiveness in his themes by lack of better words,very alive.

A.I might be right about the Jazz harmonic progression...look at early themes like the Lost in Space (Season 3)and Land of the Giants themes,they are prototypes for orchestral themes Williams wrote later on,but were more obviously encased in a jazzy "sound".It seems in the 70's he replaced those jazz sounding instruments with more classical orchestral ones,but the structure is the same.For example,the jazzy Lost in Space theme(season 3),is very similar in structure to The Lost World Main Theme.

K.M.

[AC1 3,565]

Listen to the jazz versions of famous classical Williams Star Wars themes on "Sketches on Star Wars" by The Trotter Trio. Unplug the orchestra and you'll hear nothing but authentic jazz music .

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Alex Cremers