Radio note for UK folks - on Tuesday Feb 8 Classic FM will be marking John Williams' 90th birthday with a two hour concert of his film music. John Suchet will present the show from 8-10 PM.
Hard to believe a decade ago was the Disney acquisition, and we were all speculating if John Williams would be returning despite being 80.
They were just talking on the radio about his new recording with the Berlin Philharmonic. I may need to check that out. I never knew until today that he served in the US Air Force. He played keyboard and brass in the Air Force band. So many cool people joined the air force!
Looks like the Tuesday show might have some music from that. Here's a pdf about the show (and others from next week). I think you can listen online outside the UK . https://assets.classicfm.com/2022/03/classic-fm-week-6-2022-pi-1642758032.pdf
John Williams is still going strong. What a legend. One of my favorite stories of him (I think its on You Tube) is when two children started playing their instruments outside of his house, and John came out and greeted them. Ah, here it is:
I mean...he's 90 and now this. Is he a friggin' demigod of music or what?!?!?! https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-obi-wan-kenobi
I started listening to (now it’s become more watching) the ‘visual album’ of the John Williams live in Vienna album. Besides video of the concert it included Williams remarks to the audience between music. He’s a fantastic speaker. Williams has insightful, heartfelt and complete while brief things to say about the music. There is such a love for the music from the audience while also a love for the music by Williams. It’s as if Williams is both part of the orchestra and part of the audience as he stands their between the two. They’re playing the theme for Star Wars now and the orchestra is smiling. Even the trumpet players. I think we can hear that in the live performance album. It’s satisfying in a new way to see. Its amazing how recent movie work from Williams stands up every bit as well as his decades old compositions played this way in concert by an orchestra.
I forget to check in here, but I spent the last three days playing all my John Williams Star Wars and Indiana Jones soundtracks. Come on, Disney, let's get going on a complete Saga scores release!
