Post Your Interesting Stories And Facts About John Williams

I’m a huge John Williams fan. I got to see the original Star Wars movie in the theater and my parents bought me the album on...wait for it, an 8-track tape! I still have it and a working player (see img links at end). His background is really interesting. Wikipedia has added a lot of stuff to his entry that previously was only known to his fans. I'd love to know any additional interesting stories or facts about the maestro you would be willing to share. I'll start!

• He is a fantastic pianist who studied at Juilliard with legendary teacher Rosina Lhévinne...who taught Van Cliburn. Here he is playing his own work Sabrina with orchestra.
• He is also a Jazz pianist who both recorded and played gigs under the name - Johnny Williams
• I got to hear him conduct our local orchestra playing his music during a rehearsal...a bucket list moment for me! And he was so incredibly gracious and nice to our orchestra, commending them on their excellent preparation.

http://pasteupload.com/image/1A0m AND http://pasteupload.com/image/1M3J

 

I got to see him conduct live a week or so ago! My favorite thing he said was before playing Scherzo for Xwings. He told us to enjoy the music "without the disturbance of the sound and dialogue." I really liked that--"disturbance". It made everyone in the crowd laugh


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

His father was the drummer in an influential Jazz band in the thirties.

" Who did John Williams take influence from? "