John Williams no Preservationist?

[BigMacGyver 0]

It is a commonly known fact that many albums of Williams' music were produced by the maestro himself, especially those OST releases that come out at the time the film is released.

But one question has always bothered me. Does John Williams really care about the further preservation of his entire body of work, including complete releases? It seems to me that once the sessions are done and the OST is out there he is finished with a score and just moves on. Lukas Kendall from FSM once described the reactions of composers towards FSM releases and Williams was quoted like "...so what?". Let's just say he wasn't exactly surprised or thrilled about the effort from the label.

Most complete releases of his scores are produced and assembled by other folks like Nick Redman or Michael Matessino. Only some anniversary editions like Jaws or Close Encounters are produced by the maestro.

On the contrary, there are composers like Lalo Schifrin or the late Elmer Bernstein - enthusiastic preservationists not only of their own work but of the music from others as well. And their efforts pay off with great but unreleased scores slowly finding their way on CD. Sadly, it seems like Williams is not one of them, no preservationist, which is odd since he has the biggest influence and the necessary cash flow.

[Jeshopk 8]

I think he is a preservationist of his music for the following reasons:

-He has more than once quoted Herrmann's advice to him, that he should keep all his sketches because one can't trust anyone else to. He says he has all his sketches.

-I personally asked him in the Q&A in the Berkshires last year how he plans to make copies of his sketches available to people who want to study them. He said perhaps both on the internet and in a library of preservation, but that he wasn't sure who would be interested in them (the humility was killing me).

-When Jane Eyre score was burned in an accident, he hand copied every note from the recording.

So perhaps he is more of a traditionalist, in that he wants the music to live on to be played live again, but perhaps is not so proud of some of the earlier works that FSM has put out. Who knows?

[Miguel Andrade 964]

I agree that he worries more with the preservation of the paper scores than the recordings.

I think it has a lot to do that he isn't so much a film composer, as he is a composer and performer, who just happens to do most of his work in film.

It seems that for him, the release of a recording is a pleasent bonus, and hardly a rule.

I personally asked him in the Q&A in the Berkshires last year how he plans to make copies of his sketches available to people who want to study them. He said perhaps both on the internet and in a library of preservation, but that he wasn't sure who would be interested in them (the humility was killing me).  

Didn't you recorded that Q&A? Any chance we can get a mp3 of it?

[futuremartymcfly 0]

if he isn't a preservationist, then thats really a shame becuase there are so many of his albums that could use a re-release.

[BigMacGyver 0]

John Williams' interest in preserving the original written sketches of the music is certainly admirable because it is also a very important aspect of preservation but it is also questionable:

Only preserving the sketches instead of the recordings can be a risk. Even limited edition releases will make sure that the original recordings are digitally preserved, copied and restaured while the music itself is spread into collections of fans throughout the globe which will ensure its survival. That is hardly possible with sketches, not to mention that only few people will actually be interested in studying them (as pointed out by Williams). The more people you reach, the better are the chances that the music will survive.

Not that he should stop preserving his sketches but it may be better to focus on both, sketches and releases, to ensure the music will survive.

perhaps is not so proud of some of the earlier works that FSM has put out. Who knows?

That is really an interesting question.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I would not blame him if he totally forgot he ever scored films like Fitzwilly or Not with My Wife You Don't.

The guy can't even remember composing a film called Jaws 2.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

He can't even remember using choir in both first two Harry Potter films.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

He can't?

[robthehand 3]

The guy can't even remember composing a film called Jaws 2.

Really? Mind you, with the quality of the film, he might not want to remember being associated with it. :?

[King Mark 2,924]

Lets just say Williams could be a little more motivated in making complete or unreleased scores happen.

k.M.

[robthehand 3]

Or iso scores with/without commentary a la Elfman...

[Ollie 859]

I think some composers like to move on or away from previous work.

Goldsmith felt not all of his scores should be released and it's been reported that he was picky about what cues were or weren't going to be on the release.

[futuremartymcfly 0]

your right Williams has said he doesn't like to look back on his older scores

[King Mark 2,924]

Except when he plays music from his old scores at concerts :roll:

K.M.

[nightscape94 965]

In the end, the written note is more important. So if I had the choice, I'd rather him salvage his sketches, and the orchestral scores. If he doesn't have time to produce a complete edition of all of his scores, then I see it as a loss, because it was the original recording, but at the same time, at least we have the material to reconstruct it.

Tim

[King Mark 2,924]

the original recordings are more important in Williams case.the re-recordings always have something wrong with them and don't make his music sound as good

K.M.

[Composer_Fan 2]

-When Jane Eyre score was burned in an accident,

Zimmer strikes again!

he hand copied every note from the recording.

Wow!

Really interesting thread topic. I would love to get my hands on a JW score to study it!

[JoeinAR 1,759]

geez, you guys act as if John owns his own music

[BigMacGyver 0]

geez, you guys act as if John owns his own music

He certainly has the influence and money to buy the rights at least as far as his more important work is concerned. Yet, it seems he has not so much interest in investing it.

[orrakul 0]

geez, you guys act as if John owns his own music

Joe's nailed it; it's not JW that needs tro be persuaded to release complete editions of his scores - it's Sony or Universal, or whichever behemoth owns the score... There's not enough demand for the whole score, so if it's not done when the film's initially released, only FSM is left. Remember the mess that happened with the score for "Born on the Fourth of July"? - there are more songs than score on that CD... The record companies will always go along with what's cheaper and more profitable.

It's too bad that someone like Steven Spielberg, who also loves and collects film scores, doesn't require the release of complete scores. But, he can get entire scores for his collection anytime he wants, and the bottom line is that he also wants to maximize profits...

[BigMacGyver 0]

It's too bad that someone like Steven Spielberg, who also loves and collects film scores, doesn't require the release of complete scores. But, he can get entire scores for his collection anytime he wants, and the bottom line is that he also wants to maximize profits...

That is quite correct and i feel that JW thinks the same way. It is simply more economic to preserve the sheets instead of spending hundredthousands of dollars to buy rights from a stubborn studio to make a release possible. The man can't be blamed for it. He certainly has the influence and money (just like Spielberg) but he probably thinks that the expense wont justify the outcome which is sad.

[ymenard 35]

With those papers and the orchestrations, you can still re-record it. Not if you don't have them. It's essential to keep that as archives, that's where Johnny is correct.

And somehow, the tapes will always exist if they are preserved correctly. That's another important thing, but this is not the BBC anymore, soundtrack-owning companies _do_ preserve them and will even remaster/remix them. That's not Johnny's job if not as a supervisor.

[nightscape94 965]

One of us needs to get stinking rich and then devote our lives to releasing completed versions of all of his scores, along with sketches and full ochestral sheets.

I'll let you know if it's me.

Tim