Rick, get your ass on a plane to California and go interview him while you can! He's so important to music history. I feel like you could have an interview with him that would truly create a historic record. Go for it!
couldn't agree more. He is a living legend. He doesn't have much time. Would be as epic as Rick's Keith Jarret interview, but more culturally relevant, as only true Jazz/music aficionados know and appreciate KJ.
"Rrr... rrr... remember that time you uh, wrote the Imperial March?" "Why yes, Rick I do. George was very pleased with it." "Heh... THAT WAS AWESOME!" 👉 (mouths "John Williams") 👉
Ditto! Brother Rick, you need to let the musical world know that you'll be in Hollywood for a whole month in (pick a month) and that you want to TALK in the in the day and JAM in the night!
“Without John Williams, bikes don't really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes, there is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.” -Steven Spielberg
@@barakbalestrery4138 Oh yes, we do, my friend. I would even prefer being in sharky water WITH the music playing - since the irony would relieve the tension.
I met John Williams once in LA at an LA Phil concert when he was walking around at the intermission. He was surrounded by a bunch of musicians from Venezuela that were there to see the concert as it was a collaboration with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. I was dying of panic to come forward to him but this is the guy who wrote the Superman theme. How could I not? I realized then that he was with his daughter and I made my way towards them and said: maestro, I don't mean to bother you, but I just need to say that you wrote the soundtrack of my childhood. Every time I hear the Superman theme, I turn 8. I wanna thank you for that. He then looked at me and with a kindness I cannot even describe, he held my hand with both his hands and said in a santa like voice while sincerely looking at me in the eyes: oh you're such a kind young man! Thank you for your words! His daughter, also super kind, said: would you like me to take a picture of you two? You bet I said yes. They thanked me again and went about their day. It is one of my life's greatest moments and one who taught me, no matter how big, kindness always goes first. I truly hope you get to interview him one day
What a WONDERFUL experience! Good on you for approaching him and saying what you said, and good on him for his sweet response. Life has far too few of these little magic moments.
John Williams - Spielberg anecdote. When Spielberg showed him Schindler's List, the composer unusually asked the director twenty minutes alone to digest what he had just seen. He came back to announce he felt it would be too challenging to score. Williams said to Spielberg, 'You need a better composer than I am for this film. ' Spielberg responded, 'I know. But they're all dead!'
Knowing John Williams, and knowing the music he created are two different things. I’ll bet you could randomly poll 100 people, play that music for them and most would know the music. However, only a small minority could name John Williams.
@@sangertx9077ok I'm glad because I did not know his name at all, even when it was revealed. I had a feeling the same guy scored all these themes but definitely couldn't name him.
I wrote a letter to John Williams when I was around 20 and he sent me an autographed picture, which I still have. John Williams is probably the reason I became a musician. I was that nerd buying movie scores at seven years old.
i would say James Horner is on this level too, Titanic theme. he composed to Avatar too and Braveheart and many others. i like his score for Mighty Joe young a lot. it's got West African choir singers. Randy Edelman, Thomas Newman and Vangelis all have pretty recognizable scores too.
@Maplefoxx-vl2ew Horner was my favorite composer and I was so bummed when he died. His themes aren't as iconic as Williams' but they're prettier. Legends of the Fall. The Rocketeer. Horror. They're all classics
Rick, we NEED you to interview him ASAP. We need to know how his mind works. For anyone who has ever written a song, wants to write a song, or just wants to know how music works. Please take a crew and go do this.
From the title of the video, my first guess was going to the likes of Paul McCartney, Mikeal Jackson, Bach, etc. Wow what a surprise ! At age 70 , I know the music well but never put a name to it. I'm not a music type of person, but you have enlighted me in soo many ways. I've been watching you for years, just for your knowledge and your great interviewing skills , such as with Peter Frampton and Sting. Your opinion and perception of music history are grounded in a way that everyone respects. Thankyou for what you do.
Rick Beato, You have changed my musical life. I'm 77 years old and the musical perspectives that you have shown me continually amaze me. I cannot imagine how you are influencing younger musicians. They would be wise to follow you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
True story: When recording the climax of ET, Williams couldn’t get the score to connect with the edit. He tried and tried but it didn’t work. He told the techs to turn off the projector and let him record the piece as he heard it. When it was done, Spielberg loved it so much, he went back to his editor and had her RE-EDIT THE MOVIE to the SCORE(!). The NEVER happens.
John Williams said in a podcast that he was fighting with this and told Spielberg he just couldn't get everything to line up. Spielberg told him to do what he needed to do to make the music work and that he'd go back and edit it to fit Williams's score.
Dude. Spot on, and "Hedwig's Theme" is one of the most fascinating melodies I've ever heard. The cue "Father and Son" from Jaws is one of the most underrated cues ever. Love ya brah.
I've always loved the staccato intro to the death star battle in Jedi. Okay, maybe staccato is pushing it, but those opening phrases are urgent and jumpy and you know it's all about to go pear-shaped (as combat always does).
John Williams's songs don't sound like they were written; they sound like they came into being with the universe itself, and he only discovered them later. The Superman theme is the soundtrack of creation itself.
surely not if you like creation then listen to creation, Joseph Haydn - Die Schöpfung supie reminds me Suppé - Light Cavalry John Williams as brilliant as he is adapted a lot of classical pieces and ouvertures from operas, but he never blatantly copied it or just transscriptioned it he catched the spirit. Die Schöpfung is really creation, it starts with a chaos (erm well it starts with a chaos) which then leads into the fanfare/choir for "es werde licht" that's creation. but perhaps some don't like händel, since he was a free mason?
@@kuriousissa548 imperial march is close to the planets - mars, the bringer of war, yes. of course the whole work "the planets" is very influencal for all sci-fi music we know, if that is mars, the majestic jupiter, or the spacy mercury or lofty venus, really each piece will remind you of sci-fi music. it's claimed he wrote it after peeping through herschels new large telescope (new, back then).
You didn't even touch on his TV work. The Olympics Fanfare and Theme, The NBC Nightly News Theme, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants, NBC Sunday Night Football Theme (2006)... It just goes on and on. Amazing.
Yup, I loved Lost in Space as a kid watching it in reruns in the 1970's but wasn't until decades later seeing "Johnny Williams" in the ending credits it really hit me, wow the soundtrack to y favorite show when I was a kid was done by HIM???!!! And I got a bit choked up hearing the Jurassic Park theme there a bit, I'm sure each of us has our favorite!
I actually made a Facebook post not terribly long ago that John Williams was the most important musician of the 20th century so it makes me happy to see that you clearly feel the same basically.
John William's theme when Luke has just lost his aunt and uncle and is watching the double suns made me want to understand music. I believe the piece is called Binary Sunset. I was 7 years old and thought, "That is something beyond just notes. That is magic." I cried like a child (I was one duh) and I still do to this day when I go back and watch that scene. No one has ever touched my soul like Maestro Williams. Thank you for recognizing him this way.
Now if people could just be so moved by things that are real instead of fantasy, maybe the human race could evolve. It's overdue. It's the 21st Century.
@@M2Texas well your continuity is off but, the part where he shows up and clocks the burnt corpses has a nice touch -the sauntering chorus of violins to the crescendo of the dissonant brass section that blends into a variation of binary sunset is a masterstroke of deconstruction. The genius of John Williams use of expression and emotion is unmatched!
I wrote a comment on one of your videos a year or two ago recommending a John Williams interview. You coyly responded that you have some surprises up your sleeve. I am hoping this does come to fruition on behalf of ALL of us fans! I believe you are the best representative of all of us not only make this happen, but to make it of quality and worth.
It would be awesome if Rick already has a John Williams interview locked and loaded to follow up this video at some point. John Williams was on the Smartless Podcast recently and he's a great interview.
A tiny bit surprised you didn't bring up his most recognizable 5-note motive. (Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), for the whippersnappers.) I was so happy when we got a theatrical re-release in 2017, just to hear his score from a cinema sound system. He was pumping them out like mad in the '70s.
At 58, I was 10 for Jaws, 11 in Close Encounters, 12 for Star Wars & Superman, etc etc. Like many here Williams’ music is in my DNA as well! Just this little vid made me well up! Fantastic beyond words is the 50 year collaboration of Spielberg & Williams.
I'm 55, and felt the same. His ability to distill the emotional core of a film is unparalleled. The pure majesty of the Superman theme, the jaunty eagerness to go on an addventure with the Indiana Jones theme, the desperate good vs evil of Duel of the Fates, the heartbreak of the Schindler's List theme, and the bittersweet joy of "I'll be right here" of the E.T. finale fanfare.
If you balled your eyes out while watching the end of E.T. as a child, like pretty much everyone did in 1982, you cried because John Williams WANTED you to cry. Try listening to the entire end sequence of that score with your eyes closed. No visuals, no dialogue--just the LSO playing William's score. You'll still get a lump in your throat. Pure genius.
This is as true as it gets. It’s one of those rare moments in cinema where the scene was shot TO THE MUSIC. Williams wrote the piece, then Spielberg set the visuals. Truly the emotion in this iconic climax began with John Williams.
One thing I find fascinating about John William's music is how it's nearly impossible to think about Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, ET, and so on, without instantly thinking about William's score. He was able to build a connection between film and music in such a was that no other composer ever could. And another thing I find even more fascinating is his work in Jaws, in particular. I mean, even if you have no idea that this film exists, whenever you see the image of a Shark, that second minor interval immediately pops in your head.
If Williams hadn't achieved the things you mentioned here, one might say it'd be impossible... to compose music time and time again of such significance.
One of the Star Wars EU books had a quote, you could hear the imperial march as you read it. An ultimate compliment. It made me laugh because the music was in my head as well when I read it.
Goosebumps. Every tune. Especially in a darkened room on an epic theater sound system. Emotional resonance? Emotional TRANSCENDENCE! Loved this, Rick. Thank you!
May 1977. 10 years old. Crest Theater. Star Wars. Theater goes dark. The crawl starts, the music explodes into the theater. It had and still has a profound impact on me. Begged my mom to go out and find the soundtrack, on cassette. Opened a whole world of music I didn't know existed. I still get chills, every damn time. 47 years later. You can make lots of valid arguments for others, but over the last 50-60 years - there can be no debate. Great stuff Rick
@@Shooter_FPV Me too - same age. That album was one of the first things I spent my allowance on. I still have it, although I stupidly duct taped the cover back together when it split open.
Same, but on Vinyl (I wonder if I still have that somewhere...) - plus the "how many times have you seen Star Wars?" competition (In the cinema). I saw it around 13 times (dollar movie) but I knew kids who'd seen it dozens of times over.
Same! I was 10 years old. But my father bought the album FOR HIMSELF! He was 34 years old and just as intrigued by Star Wars as my 11 year old brother and myself.
The fact that he's still with us makes him an unparalleled music celebrity. IMHO his greatest achievement is the validation of film music in concert halls, schools, conservatories all over the world. When he conducted his music in Viena, Berlin or Milano in front of audiences that dismissed film scores in the past... that's something to be so proud. You could see it in the faces of many of the musicians... they grew up with those themes, they transcend the films they were composed for... those leit motives take you to the place where you heard them for the first time, the people you were with... that man is family to me.
I attended a "Music of John Williams" concert with a proper symphony, and it's genuinely surprising how emotional this music can make you, even with no visual context. And the Jaws theme is effing terrifying.
I saw it by the Atlanta Symphony Orechestra. When we entered the arts center before the performance, Darth Vader and Storm Troopers were all over the lobby. And, when they played the 'Jaws' theme, a shark creeped across the stage. 😂 Everyone got a kick out of that! The whole experience was absolutely wonderful!
My son was born with apraxia of speech, meaning he was nonverbal until the age of 8. Yet, he would make the Jaws theme sound instead of saying shark whenever he saw the image of one around the age of 2-6. He’d never ever watched that film. Somehow he picked it up in pop culture. Stars Wars theme he would hum very young. WOW. Thank you for reigniting that memory; my son is 21 now and speaks very well through years of intensive speech and vocal therapy. John Williams is the GOAT. The Superman theme always hits my core; felt like God’s love and power to the ears of a child in 1983 watching the films on VHS.
Apraxia is one of the most interesting disorders I have worked with over the years. Developmental is specifically difficult, especially when stacked on children with Autism. May your son continue to be blessed with support for his acquisition of speech..I love your story and I love to hear the hard work pays off. I am truly overcome with emotion because I have rarely heard about such effort and results from the support system and the commitment. Thank you thank you thank you.
I nearly cry just from the intense sweetness of the Indiana Jones-Marion love theme, specifically, where it's inserted as a bridge in the middle of the longer version of "The Raiders March" 😍
@@MusicisMedicine-r6z 51 yo and E.T is still to this day the only film that makes me sob like the first time i saw it. That is, i believe, wholly down to Mr Williams score. But then, having grown up through the 70s and 80s, who among us hasn't grown up with Mr Williams tickling our hearts?
John Williams, Alan Silvestri, Bill Conti, Brad Fiedel, Harold Faltermeyer, John Carpenter and Giorgio Moroder wrote most of my favorite soundtracks to movies of the 70s, 80s and 90s
Rick, I'm a 50 year old musician and I have to tell you you hit the nail right on the head. John Williams has been my absolute favorite composer of all time. The first melody I ever figured out how to play on piano was Superman. And I will gladly admit the "fanfare" section from the end of E.T. still brings me to tears. That's saying a ton coming from a guy who loves bands like Metallica, Rush, and Tool. John Williams is probably the single most influential person on my musical passion.
Imagine being such a musical genius that Steven Spielberg has your cell number. And that directors fight over whose film you're going to score next. John Williams is an international treasure.
94yrs old , he won't be here much longer.. my friend composes just like him. sounds very similar.. the guy has like 10 viewers on twitch lolol. music orchestration streams are just not popular.
Not only is Williams a master of the bombastic and grand melodies, but he can also compose melodies such as the theme from Schindlers list; one of the most moving pieces I know of.
Rick, this is one of the most exciting pieces you have done. I love everything you do. Most of them teach me something. Some of them I want to listen to over and over. But everyone should listen to this. You hit the nail on the head. Great composer, great music, great man. Thank you for bringing John Williams to the forefront. Bob
After Steven Spielberg said he wanted to hire John Williams for this film he allegedly said "You need a better composer for this one" to which Spielberg answered "I know, but they're all dead".
Hey Rick, thank you for this. Now that the Paris Olympics are happening, let us be aware that Mr. Williams wrote the theme for four of the games, and you can't watch any coverage without hearing variations of the "Buglers Dream / Olympic Fanfare." For years NFL fans have enjoyed "Wide Receiver," one of the NBC Sunday Night Football Themes. Those who watch the NBC Nightly News may not realize the program's fanfare is from a larger suite written by JW in 1985. Even the 60's programs we older folks grew up with, such as Lost in Space, Land of the Giants and Time Tunnel all had themes written by the Maestro. I raised my two daughters listening to movie themes by (but not limited to) the Newmans, Doyle, Horner, Silvestri, Goldsmith, Elfman, Giacchino, Shore, Morricone, Zimmer and especially John Williams. My Granddaughter's first concert attended was John's 90th Birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. This is why every year I attend the Hollywood Bowl John Williams night, perhaps not toting a light saber, but definitely wearing my custom Polo Shirt that has a monogramed crest stating "My Life's Soundtrack is by John Williams!" 🎼🎺🎻📯Cheers!
"Lost in Space" and "Star Trek" had great music, in particular the music played during conflicts. Those shows wouldn't have been as exciting with a generic score. (The music by Johnny Williams for "The Landing" and Gerald Fried for "Amok Time" were used over and over again, for good reason.)
"Bugler's Dream" turns out not to have been written by Williams -- it's by Léo Arnaud, although TIL Williams is responsible for the arrangement currently used by NBC.
@@LarryWake Indeed, Arnaud was commissioned by conductor Felix Slatkin to create a piece for his album Charge! in 1958. For this, he wrote "The Charge Suite", published by Shawnee Press, which included "Bugler's Dream". ABC began using the composition as the theme to ABC Olympic broadcasts of the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, and in future Olympics. The 1984 Olympic theme opens with Arnaud’s “Bugler’s Dream” then transitions to the “Fanfare and Theme” composed by Williams. Cheers!
Rick is the best! In a world where social media personalities often make empty claims for clicks, Rick backs up his ideas with well constructed thoughts and presentation.
The John Williams music that hits me the absolute hardest is weirdly enough not mentioned in this video, but it's the Theme for Schindler's List. Everytime I hear it, I get the exact same emotional feeling I felt during this incredible and important movie. Unreal, how brilliant John Williams is.
Spot on Rick!! I really enjoyed this video but wish it were even longer!! Close Encounters, Home Alone, etc... John Williams is a Global Treasure and a genius!! So thankful for him!! Thankful for his son Joseph who is with Toto and also sang in The Lion King!!
And of course the 5 notes of Close Encounters. That entire soundtrack album is a great listen. It stands up as a wonderful work of modern classical music.
The greatest soundtrack of 77 could be Close Encounters! It's more innovative and modern than Star Wars. In 100 years that may be more attractive to performers and audience.
I remember playing a John Williams medley in middle school concert band and 1: It was the most popular music we ever played to our parents/community. 2: I realized John Williams was my favorite musician of all time, and he just kept cranking out themes since then. 3: The best music makes people feel something, and even our middle school band could pull off simplified versions of his masterpieces and get a response from the audience. Magical! PS - Rick, please interview him for as long as he'll let you. I've heard stories that he is a very generous person with his time and genuinely cares about musical art and education.
This is kind of like my argument that Vince Guaraldi may be the most famous jazz musician of all time. Most people don't know his name but they know his music. Who hasn't seen a Charlie Brown cartoon sometime in their life. The music he did for those cartoons was my first exposure to jazz and I'm sure a lot of other people can say the same.
Yup, he was a talented, funny, and generous guy, too. When Fox accidentally burned a century's worth of original film scores in their archives, he came in to re-write the entire scores of his movies from memory (he claimed he made a few improvements), all while cracking jokes about contemporary peers he didn't like so much.
I made sure to bring my 8 year old son to the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia several years ago to see John Williams lead the Philly Pops in an unbelievable evening of scores he had composed. It made both our faces light up for over an hour straight. It’s an evening I treasure and will never forget.
An interview with John Williams would be stupendous! What makes your interviews so enjoyable is that they come from someone knowledgeable in music matters. They work because they're conversations rather than simple Q&A sessions. You're able to bring out musicians' enthusiasm and some wonderful insightful anecdotes because you don't ask "same old, same old" questions. An interview with John Williams the classical guitarist would be great too! 😉
I’ve never commented on your videos, but… I wish I could add a photo. We saw him at the SF Symphony last February. On Valentines Day. I specifically picked GA tix behind the stage and we came early to get 1st row, so we’d be directly over the Timpani and could see him conduct. We were so close we could read the sheet music. Well done, Rick!
In 1984 the USA Olympic comitee commissioned John Williams to write a piece for the LA Olympic Games. It was called ‘Olympic Fanfare and Theme’ and was played live at the games.
He was also heavily involved with the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City! Call of the Champions was the Olympics theme for that year composed by John Williams while featuring the Tabernacle Choir. Georgeous piece
Came here to say this... The Olympic fanfare is a perfect example of a world-wide, cross-cultural event that unites all of us. Williams' score (and subsequent variations) are a centerpiece of the games.
Rick! I know you talked about his film scores in media, but what about other media!? Don’t forget! It’s that time again! It’s amazing to think John Williams is the father of the sound of THE OLYMPICS! When I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics and heard the music, I said to myself “it’s utterly amazing to think, as someone born in 2002, that this wasn’t always the trademark of the Olympics. It’s so inextricably linked to the games and sounds so profound and ancient-like that you would think it’s something they pulled from Ancient Olympic games or something they made when they first instituted the modern Olympics at the end of the 19th century.” But nope! John Williams made it in the 90’s! And while it certainly won’t get as much global recognition as the Olympics, you can’t forget that his sound is the sound of every American’s Sunday night every autumn! 😁
I teach music to elementary school classes and I do a lesson on John Williams. The kids of all ages know his work instantly Great video Rick, had me in tears
Wow! The list is so extensive that the incredible "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" didn't get a mention. He's truly a marvel, a magician. Love your channel!
I love how you got through that without ever mentioning Close Encounters of the Third Kind which is his masterpiece for me. Not sarcastic, I really do love it, just goes to show what a depth of work he has, that even the pieces you have to skip over are epic.
I noticed how the majestic fanfare notes of the Superman theme are kind of similar to the five note motif of Close Encounters. I think it shows Williams wanted in Superman to also give a sense of (what he perceived as) alien, out-of-Earth sounds.
Awe, Rick. You made me cry. Thank you for reminding me of so many great times in my life and how much John Williams wrote our childhoods. The music of today is just lost to this. How many kids have ever heard a symphony orchestra if it was for him? Or you? Thank you for reminding me each video of the joy of music.❤
The songs in these movies is as iconic as the movies themselves. As soon as you hear the first few notes you’re immediately transported to the first time you heard them. It’s crazy. His music is literally timeless.
I dare say the movies are iconic BECAUSE of the music. Without the right mood, it becomes a different experience. JW can send you to whatever atmosphere is needed better than anyone else!
As soon as Rick said John Williams I was like omg of course it is. The way that man was able to imprint emotion, power, mystery, fear and mystical into his music is why his music made all of these movies so much better without these themes I feel the movies wouldn't have hit the same way they did.
Yeppers! I’ll have to agree with you 💯% on this one Ricky, John Williams is the GOAT! And yet, you still barely scratched the surface on this short vid of the scope of John’s work. Such an incredible man, composer, conductor… Extraordinary!!!
You are correct Rick. John Williams is the most widely recognized composer in the world right now. Beautiful music has come out from his mind and heart.
My favorite Williams piece is the theme to "Catch Me If You Can ", which brilliantly captures a moody late 50s jazz vibe (maybe "third stream") that perfectly sets the tone for the film, including a written out alto sax solo that sounds improvised. And it starts with a simple, catchy minor third motif. (For those who didn't know, Williams recorded a Jazz piano album, which can be found here on UA-cam.)
An interesting and compelling case. The thing to consider/ponder is would this music stand on its own without the connection to films that carried it to that huge audience? Or Were it connected to lesser known films? Warner Brothers cartoons did make The William Tell Overture quite widely “recognized”… In the end, hard to argue with Rick’s premise and conclusion…
Everyone has grown up with those immortal tunes. Here in Italy there is another composer that people immediately recognize, his name is Ennio Morricone.
My favorite John Williams's score is the music he wrote for Lawrence Kasdan's 1988 film adaption of Anne Tyler's novel, "The Accidental Tourist" The score goes through multiple transformations, and it perfectly embodies the main character's internal struggles. By the way, there is a podcast called The Baton: A John Wiliams Musical Journey which has over 100 episodes discussing his scores for movie. Accidental Tourist is episode #64.
So right about E.T. Not seen that film in over 30 years but with no dialgoue, a few images and Williams' score, I'm tearing up. It hits you right in the feels.
The 1984 Olympic Fanfare and Theme is outstanding. I actually prefer The Olympic Spirit from 1988, but Olympic Fanfare and Theme is a banger - particularly the original version with his fanfare, rather than Leo Arnaud’s Buglers Dream grafted on.
An interview would be a great historical record and tribute to John's contributions. I'm a session player here in LA and although I've never played on one of his scores (I play guitar and few of his scores include the instrument) I have played many of his Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall concerts. Rehearsals with John are a master class in conducting, orchestration and how to work with a large group of musicians. A brilliant, soft spoken man who has made an indelible mark on not only music, but the world.
Dear Rick, thank you so much for this video. It's really heartwarming to hear you talking about John Williams. His tunes are instantly recognizable and memorable, but behind the deceptively simple vest, there is an incredibly rich harmonic vocabulary. He's also a great orchestrator--I have a podcast series where I talked with a lot of the Los Angeles studio musicians who performed in many of his film scores and everyone has singled out how masterful his writing is for every instrument.
Called it. As someone who has performed and still performs his works as a timpanist in an orchestra, John Williams is the obvious answer. They're all super fun pieces to play, as well. But the timpani part for the Imperial March is written like a bass fiddle part. I usually try to have more than the usual 4 drums--7 if I can get them--and still have to do pitch changes!
Rick, you continue to amaze your audience. This was a terrific segment and couldn’t agree more. We’re actually fans of Mr. Williams and have bought his soundtracks over many years on vinyl. Loved how you mix it up on your channel and we’ve certainly learned a lot. Thank you!-Chris $ Beth🎧
The music to E.T. made me cry when I watched it as a child, now I’m 47 and it still makes me cry. John Williams has drawn upon all his influences and distilled the best bits into these pieces of musical art and turned them into something more than the sum of their parts! Total Genius! Definitely the G.O.A.T in my humble opinion!! Please say that you’ve got him lined up for an interview!!!!????!!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 ❤️
I have seen John Williams conduct his music with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra twice and it's one thing to hear his music recorded, but to hear it played by one of the best symphony orchestras in the world, is another experience altogether. Experiences I will never forget!
That is a beautiful tribute - my entire childhood in music in 7mins...weve all connected to these beautiful musical creations and they will forever be apart of our emotional core. A global treasure.
I've grown so tired when people tell me "classical music" is boring. Yet, I bet every single one of them feels a swell from inside their soul when hearing just a few bars of the themes to Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, etc. John Williams has contributed more positive emotional resonance to global culture than any human being (so far). A great video.
I put on Raiders at home a few years back, and when the Indy March kicked in, my young daughters ran through from the other room to see what it was. What other orchestral music does that?
It's fascinating that John Williams goes into a specific room in an old colonial age home in New England and there in the quiet of that room lit by sunlight, the inspiration comes for most of his music.
Superman theme blew us all away back then because we all desperately wanted Superman when it was released. But yup, you nailed this one, Rick. It might prove interesting if you walked his music backward to find the sources he used as a base.
I remember that by the early 1980's many people would "label" the movie with "and it's John Williams". This was like saying "Michael Jordan" is in the lineup. Every movie he had done from the mid-70's on was HUGE, and we didn't have access to all the leaks / vids / information back then......BUT, when Siskel and Ebert said there's this new movie called Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, or ET, or Born on the Fourth of July coming out and music by John Williams. You knew it was going to be good. His brand attached to a movie was JUST as important as whoever the lead actor was...great video!
Rick, get your ass on a plane to California and go interview him while you can! He's so important to music history. I feel like you could have an interview with him that would truly create a historic record. Go for it!
couldn't agree more. He is a living legend. He doesn't have much time. Would be as epic as Rick's Keith Jarret interview, but more culturally relevant, as only true Jazz/music aficionados know and appreciate KJ.
"Rrr... rrr... remember that time you uh, wrote the Imperial March?"
"Why yes, Rick I do. George was very pleased with it."
"Heh... THAT WAS AWESOME!" 👉 (mouths "John Williams") 👉
Ditto! Brother Rick, you need to let the musical world know that you'll be in Hollywood for a whole month in (pick a month) and that you want to TALK in the in the day and JAM in the night!
A Rick Beato interview would break the internet. But maybe a multi-part docu series may even be better.
I agree wholeheartedly. Go
“Without John Williams, bikes don't really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes, there is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.” -Steven Spielberg
Nor do we fear a shark attack when we see water!
Nor we can talk to extraterrestrials
Well said.
...and sharks don't stalk, and aliens don't come visit!
@@barakbalestrery4138
Oh yes, we do, my friend.
I would even prefer being in sharky water WITH the music playing - since the irony would relieve the tension.
I met John Williams once in LA at an LA Phil concert when he was walking around at the intermission. He was surrounded by a bunch of musicians from Venezuela that were there to see the concert as it was a collaboration with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.
I was dying of panic to come forward to him but this is the guy who wrote the Superman theme. How could I not?
I realized then that he was with his daughter and I made my way towards them and said: maestro, I don't mean to bother you, but I just need to say that you wrote the soundtrack of my childhood. Every time I hear the Superman theme, I turn 8. I wanna thank you for that.
He then looked at me and with a kindness I cannot even describe, he held my hand with both his hands and said in a santa like voice while sincerely looking at me in the eyes: oh you're such a kind young man! Thank you for your words!
His daughter, also super kind, said: would you like me to take a picture of you two?
You bet I said yes.
They thanked me again and went about their day.
It is one of my life's greatest moments and one who taught me, no matter how big, kindness always goes first.
I truly hope you get to interview him one day
Your words/images brought a tear.
What a WONDERFUL experience! Good on you for approaching him and saying what you said, and good on him for his sweet response. Life has far too few of these little magic moments.
John Williams - Spielberg anecdote. When Spielberg showed him Schindler's List, the composer unusually asked the director twenty minutes alone to digest what he had just seen. He came back to announce he felt it would be too challenging to score. Williams said to Spielberg, 'You need a better composer than I am for this film. ' Spielberg responded, 'I know. But they're all dead!'
Which is crazy considering the absolute masterpiece that he made for that film. Watching a live orchestra perform that is incredibly moving.
You can hear Williams tell this anecdote in his acceptance speech for his AFI Life Achievement Award.
It blows my mind how obvious this is and I never thought about it.
Well put,was thinking the exact same thing.
Knowing John Williams, and knowing the music he created are two different things. I’ll bet you could randomly poll 100 people, play that music for them and most would know the music. However, only a small minority could name John Williams.
@@sangertx9077ok I'm glad because I did not know his name at all, even when it was revealed. I had a feeling the same guy scored all these themes but definitely couldn't name him.
I thought it was gonna be a classical musician like Mozart lol, but yeah John Williams is obvious in retrospect
👋 These aren’t the composers you’re looking for.
I wrote a letter to John Williams when I was around 20 and he sent me an autographed picture, which I still have. John Williams is probably the reason I became a musician. I was that nerd buying movie scores at seven years old.
i would say James Horner is on this level too, Titanic theme. he composed to Avatar too and Braveheart and many others. i like his score for Mighty Joe young a lot. it's got West African choir singers. Randy Edelman, Thomas Newman and Vangelis all have pretty recognizable scores too.
now you need to tell us what's become of you and where we can experience your work, genuinely curious
The Star Wars soundtrack was the first album i bought (well technically my grandmother -OPM, I was a broke 8 yr old!)
@@Maplefoxx-vl2ew. Just look at the John Williams movie score list. That is all.
@Maplefoxx-vl2ew Horner was my favorite composer and I was so bummed when he died. His themes aren't as iconic as Williams' but they're prettier. Legends of the Fall. The Rocketeer. Horror. They're all classics
Rick, we NEED you to interview him ASAP. We need to know how his mind works. For anyone who has ever written a song, wants to write a song, or just wants to know how music works. Please take a crew and go do this.
Doubt that Rick can fly somewhere, or even do a long interview at his home now
There are thousands of interviews of JW on YT, including several hours long BBC documentary from the 80s.
@@ThoArtOne. Right. When he is better.
@@nevertheless123 but Rick has such a joy in his approach to music and ibterviewing. It would be great.
I agree!!
From the title of the video, my first guess was going to the likes of Paul McCartney, Mikeal Jackson, Bach, etc. Wow what a surprise ! At age 70 , I know the music well but never put a name to it. I'm not a music type of person, but you have enlighted me in soo many ways. I've been watching you for years, just for your knowledge and your great interviewing skills , such as with Peter Frampton and Sting. Your opinion and perception of music history are grounded in a way that everyone respects.
Thankyou for what you do.
I was thinking Mozart.
Rick Beato, You have changed my musical life. I'm 77 years old and the musical perspectives that you have shown me continually amaze me. I cannot imagine how you are influencing younger musicians. They would be wise to follow you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
True, Rick has taught me not to just listen to music but to actually hear it.
True story: When recording the climax of ET, Williams couldn’t get the score to connect with the edit. He tried and tried but it didn’t work. He told the techs to turn off the projector and let him record the piece as he heard it. When it was done, Spielberg loved it so much, he went back to his editor and had her RE-EDIT THE MOVIE to the SCORE(!). The NEVER happens.
❤ I've never heard that story, but I absolutely believe it!
shows how must respect and trust Spielberg has for him...
That has to be true. The film is edited perfectly for that score. There's no way that happened by accident.
John Williams said in a podcast that he was fighting with this and told Spielberg he just couldn't get everything to line up. Spielberg told him to do what he needed to do to make the music work and that he'd go back and edit it to fit Williams's score.
@@miakleve5506this is what actually happened.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - the entire premise of the movie is based communicating through the musical theme
Thank you! I t was so obvious omission that I was screaming to myself about it.
Agreed I can’t believe he skipped close encounters, unless it was an issue with UA-cam
The fact that it was overlooked had me questioning whether he wrote it!
This one made me want to become some kind of musician.
Gotta leave something for the comments, besides it most likely did not pass the kids test ;-)
Dude. Spot on, and "Hedwig's Theme" is one of the most fascinating melodies I've ever heard. The cue "Father and Son" from Jaws is one of the most underrated cues ever. Love ya brah.
I've always loved the staccato intro to the death star battle in Jedi. Okay, maybe staccato is pushing it, but those opening phrases are urgent and jumpy and you know it's all about to go pear-shaped (as combat always does).
@@aaronleverton4221the violins at the climax of the final duel between Luke and Vader are hauntingly beautiful
John Williams's songs don't sound like they were written; they sound like they came into being with the universe itself, and he only discovered them later. The Superman theme is the soundtrack of creation itself.
John Williams kinda stole from holst
Lol, he did discover them. Holst, Brahms, Korngold, etc. But he is still great, no question.
ohh the hyperbole is a bit overpowering :))))
surely not if you like creation then listen to creation, Joseph Haydn - Die Schöpfung
supie reminds me Suppé - Light Cavalry
John Williams as brilliant as he is adapted a lot of classical pieces and ouvertures from operas, but he never blatantly copied it or just transscriptioned it he catched the spirit.
Die Schöpfung is really creation, it starts with a chaos (erm well it starts with a chaos) which then leads into the fanfare/choir for "es werde licht" that's creation.
but perhaps some don't like händel, since he was a free mason?
@@kuriousissa548 imperial march is close to the planets - mars, the bringer of war, yes.
of course the whole work "the planets" is very influencal for all sci-fi music we know, if that is mars, the majestic jupiter, or the spacy mercury or lofty venus, really each piece will remind you of sci-fi music.
it's claimed he wrote it after peeping through herschels new large telescope (new, back then).
His music routinely makes me cry, I think because it reconnects me to the happiest moments of my childhood in a profound way.
You didn't even touch on his TV work. The Olympics Fanfare and Theme, The NBC Nightly News Theme, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants, NBC Sunday Night Football Theme (2006)... It just goes on and on. Amazing.
Yup, I loved Lost in Space as a kid watching it in reruns in the 1970's but wasn't until decades later seeing "Johnny Williams" in the ending credits it really hit me, wow the soundtrack to y favorite show when I was a kid was done by HIM???!!! And I got a bit choked up hearing the Jurassic Park theme there a bit, I'm sure each of us has our favorite!
I actually made a Facebook post not terribly long ago that John Williams was the most important musician of the 20th century so it makes me happy to see that you clearly feel the same basically.
John William's theme when Luke has just lost his aunt and uncle and is watching the double suns made me want to understand music. I believe the piece is called Binary Sunset. I was 7 years old and thought, "That is something beyond just notes. That is magic." I cried like a child (I was one duh) and I still do to this day when I go back and watch that scene. No one has ever touched my soul like Maestro Williams. Thank you for recognizing him this way.
Now if people could just be so moved by things that are real instead of fantasy, maybe the human race could evolve. It's overdue. It's the 21st Century.
The burnt corpses come later. The bit you want is after his uncle and aunt told him he wasnt going anywhere because he was needed for farmwork.
@@riverstun Yup! I just went back and looked it up. You're 100% right.
I never thought about it like that, but you are absolutely right. I have all of these albums and still listen to them regularly.
@@M2Texas well your continuity is off but, the part where he shows up and clocks the burnt corpses has a nice touch -the sauntering chorus of violins to the crescendo of the dissonant brass section that blends into a variation of binary sunset is a masterstroke of deconstruction. The genius of John Williams use of expression and emotion is unmatched!
John Williams knows the score...
He needs no fanfare.
😂. I see a theme here …
@@billbolton He actually wrote the Olympics theme/ fanfare 🙂
@@14caz68 haha!!
True
I wrote a comment on one of your videos a year or two ago recommending a John Williams interview. You coyly responded that you have some surprises up your sleeve. I am hoping this does come to fruition on behalf of ALL of us fans! I believe you are the best representative of all of us not only make this happen, but to make it of quality and worth.
It would be awesome if Rick already has a John Williams interview locked and loaded to follow up this video at some point. John Williams was on the Smartless Podcast recently and he's a great interview.
@@tm0054 I love that podcast! I had no idea he was on it! I'll have to watch!!
A tiny bit surprised you didn't bring up his most recognizable 5-note motive. (Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), for the whippersnappers.) I was so happy when we got a theatrical re-release in 2017, just to hear his score from a cinema sound system. He was pumping them out like mad in the '70s.
I also wondered why he did mention that one either
At 58, I was 10 for Jaws, 11 in Close Encounters, 12 for Star Wars & Superman, etc etc. Like many here Williams’ music is in my DNA as well!
Just this little vid made me well up!
Fantastic beyond words is the 50 year collaboration of Spielberg & Williams.
I'm 55, and felt the same. His ability to distill the emotional core of a film is unparalleled. The pure majesty of the Superman theme, the jaunty eagerness to go on an addventure with the Indiana Jones theme, the desperate good vs evil of Duel of the Fates, the heartbreak of the Schindler's List theme, and the bittersweet joy of "I'll be right here" of the E.T. finale fanfare.
If you balled your eyes out while watching the end of E.T. as a child, like pretty much everyone did in 1982, you cried because John Williams WANTED you to cry. Try listening to the entire end sequence of that score with your eyes closed. No visuals, no dialogue--just the LSO playing William's score. You'll still get a lump in your throat.
Pure genius.
I still bawl my eyes out every time I watch it, now aged 59. Love John Williams' music.
I still cannot watch ET without crying.
The first film I remember going to see, while sitting on my dad’s shoulders on the way in. RIP Dad… ❤
This is as true as it gets. It’s one of those rare moments in cinema where the scene was shot TO THE MUSIC. Williams wrote the piece, then Spielberg set the visuals. Truly the emotion in this iconic climax began with John Williams.
You're so right. I'm tearing up just thinking about it now. John is one of the craftiest emotional manipulators of all time, and I love him for it.
One thing I find fascinating about John William's music is how it's nearly impossible to think about Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, ET, and so on, without instantly thinking about William's score. He was able to build a connection between film and music in such a was that no other composer ever could.
And another thing I find even more fascinating is his work in Jaws, in particular. I mean, even if you have no idea that this film exists, whenever you see the image of a Shark, that second minor interval immediately pops in your head.
If Williams hadn't achieved the things you mentioned here, one might say it'd be impossible... to compose music time and time again of such significance.
That's copied from Dvorak
@@jj9749 No, not really c'mon now, why are you diminishing other's creative output for no good reason at all.
@@GreatDaneRock it doesn't take Rick to explain that the Jaws theme is almost identical to Dvorak's symphony
One of the Star Wars EU books had a quote, you could hear the imperial march as you read it. An ultimate compliment. It made me laugh because the music was in my head as well when I read it.
Goosebumps. Every tune. Especially in a darkened room on an epic theater sound system. Emotional resonance? Emotional TRANSCENDENCE! Loved this, Rick. Thank you!
May 1977. 10 years old. Crest Theater. Star Wars. Theater goes dark. The crawl starts, the music explodes into the theater. It had and still has a profound impact on me. Begged my mom to go out and find the soundtrack, on cassette. Opened a whole world of music I didn't know existed.
I still get chills, every damn time. 47 years later.
You can make lots of valid arguments for others, but over the last 50-60 years - there can be no debate. Great stuff Rick
I was 12 when Star Wars was released. The day after I saw it I got the soundtrack... on VINYL!
@@Shooter_FPV Me too - same age. That album was one of the first things I spent my allowance on. I still have it, although I stupidly duct taped the cover back together when it split open.
You talking the Crest in Sacramento?
Same, but on Vinyl (I wonder if I still have that somewhere...) - plus the "how many times have you seen Star Wars?" competition (In the cinema). I saw it around 13 times (dollar movie) but I knew kids who'd seen it dozens of times over.
Same! I was 10 years old. But my father bought the album FOR HIMSELF! He was 34 years old and just as intrigued by Star Wars as my 11 year old brother and myself.
The fact that he's still with us makes him an unparalleled music celebrity. IMHO his greatest achievement is the validation of film music in concert halls, schools, conservatories all over the world. When he conducted his music in Viena, Berlin or Milano in front of audiences that dismissed film scores in the past... that's something to be so proud. You could see it in the faces of many of the musicians... they grew up with those themes, they transcend the films they were composed for... those leit motives take you to the place where you heard them for the first time, the people you were with... that man is family to me.
motifs.
I attended a "Music of John Williams" concert with a proper symphony, and it's genuinely surprising how emotional this music can make you, even with no visual context.
And the Jaws theme is effing terrifying.
Must be amazing love with the double basses, cellos and brass!
I saw that concert at the San Diego Rady Shell. Amazing!❤️
I recently did as well last month at the Sydney Opera House and I was weepy the entire 2 hour concert. His music is embedded in my DNA
I attended one at Tanglewood. It was amazing!
I saw it by the Atlanta Symphony Orechestra. When we entered the arts center before the performance, Darth Vader and Storm Troopers were all over the lobby.
And, when they played the 'Jaws' theme, a shark creeped across the stage. 😂 Everyone got a kick out of that! The whole experience was absolutely wonderful!
My son was born with apraxia of speech, meaning he was nonverbal until the age of 8. Yet, he would make the Jaws theme sound instead of saying shark whenever he saw the image of one around the age of 2-6. He’d never ever watched that film. Somehow he picked it up in pop culture. Stars Wars theme he would hum very young. WOW. Thank you for reigniting that memory; my son is 21 now and speaks very well through years of intensive speech and vocal therapy. John Williams is the GOAT. The Superman theme always hits my core; felt like God’s love and power to the ears of a child in 1983 watching the films on VHS.
Apraxia is one of the most interesting disorders I have worked with over the years. Developmental is specifically difficult, especially when stacked on children with Autism. May your son continue to be blessed with support for his acquisition of speech..I love your story and I love to hear the hard work pays off. I am truly overcome with emotion because I have rarely heard about such effort and results from the support system and the commitment. Thank you thank you thank you.
Ok, 73 year old man here, and when you played the ET fanfare I had to fight back tears. Damn you.
Same here and I'm 71!
First film that I saw at the cinema as a child. Gets me every time.
I nearly cry just from the intense sweetness of the Indiana Jones-Marion love theme, specifically, where it's inserted as a bridge in the middle of the longer version of "The Raiders March" 😍
@@MusicisMedicine-r6z 51 yo and E.T is still to this day the only film that makes me sob like the first time i saw it. That is, i believe, wholly down to Mr Williams score. But then, having grown up through the 70s and 80s, who among us hasn't grown up with Mr Williams tickling our hearts?
Same here and I’m 68.
Much love Rick. Hope you're doing well. I always enjoy your interviews and commentaries.
Love your videos Doug!
It's the Daily Douuuuuugcomment
@@TheMisterHache Okay let's do Iron Maiden: E C D, oh look a G chord! Okay modulating through a few keys mostly 6, 7, 1 and back to E!
It would be the ULTIMATE interview if you could get him on your show Rick while he's still with us!!
please do Rick!
I don't know. If Rick could get him on his show _after_ he's still with us--now _that_ would be the ultimate interview!
John Williams, Alan Silvestri, Bill Conti, Brad Fiedel, Harold Faltermeyer, John Carpenter and Giorgio Moroder wrote most of my favorite soundtracks to movies of the 70s, 80s and 90s
Have to throw Basil Poledouris in there somewhere too…😎
Not a sprawling body of work, but memorable tunes, yes
And James Horner!!!
And Ennio Morricone
didn't know brad friedel was making music too
@@dragndorf9 Fiedel, not friedel
Rick, I'm a 50 year old musician and I have to tell you you hit the nail right on the head. John Williams has been my absolute favorite composer of all time. The first melody I ever figured out how to play on piano was Superman. And I will gladly admit the "fanfare" section from the end of E.T. still brings me to tears. That's saying a ton coming from a guy who loves bands like Metallica, Rush, and Tool. John Williams is probably the single most influential person on my musical passion.
Imagine being such a musical genius that Steven Spielberg has your cell number. And that directors fight over whose film you're going to score next. John Williams is an international treasure.
Steven Spielberg would never have become Steven Spielberg without JW.
Sooo true.
And to think that he started out doing tv shows like Bachelor Father and Gilligan's Island.
Half of his billions should go to John Williams
94yrs old , he won't be here much longer.. my friend composes just like him. sounds very similar.. the guy has like 10 viewers on twitch lolol. music orchestration streams are just not popular.
Not only is Williams a master of the bombastic and grand melodies, but he can also compose melodies such as the theme from Schindlers list; one of the most moving pieces I know of.
Rick, this is one of the most exciting pieces you have done. I love everything you do. Most of them teach me something. Some of them I want to listen to over and over. But everyone should listen to this. You hit the nail on the head. Great composer, great music, great man. Thank you for bringing John Williams to the forefront.
Bob
Don’t forget Schindler’s List. If the violin part in the theme doesn’t choke you up, I don’t know what will.
After Steven Spielberg said he wanted to hire John Williams for this film he allegedly said "You need a better composer for this one" to which Spielberg answered "I know, but they're all dead".
That is an excellent observation
yes- one of the most moving pieces of movie music, ever...
That cd was an excellent addition to my Soundtracks collection.
Every element of Schindler's List is overrated.
Hey Rick, thank you for this. Now that the Paris Olympics are happening, let us be aware that Mr. Williams wrote the theme for four of the games, and you can't watch any coverage without hearing variations of the "Buglers Dream / Olympic Fanfare." For years NFL fans have enjoyed "Wide Receiver," one of the NBC Sunday Night Football Themes. Those who watch the NBC Nightly News may not realize the program's fanfare is from a larger suite written by JW in 1985. Even the 60's programs we older folks grew up with, such as Lost in Space, Land of the Giants and Time Tunnel all had themes written by the Maestro. I raised my two daughters listening to movie themes by (but not limited to) the Newmans, Doyle, Horner, Silvestri, Goldsmith, Elfman, Giacchino, Shore, Morricone, Zimmer and especially John Williams. My Granddaughter's first concert attended was John's 90th Birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. This is why every year I attend the Hollywood Bowl John Williams night, perhaps not toting a light saber, but definitely wearing my custom Polo Shirt that has a monogramed crest stating "My Life's Soundtrack is by John Williams!" 🎼🎺🎻📯Cheers!
"Lost in Space" and "Star Trek" had great music, in particular the music played during conflicts.
Those shows wouldn't have been as exciting with a generic score.
(The music by Johnny Williams for "The Landing" and Gerald Fried for "Amok Time" were used over and over again, for good reason.)
"Bugler's Dream" turns out not to have been written by Williams -- it's by Léo Arnaud, although TIL Williams is responsible for the arrangement currently used by NBC.
@@LarryWake Indeed, Arnaud was commissioned by conductor Felix Slatkin to create a piece for his album Charge! in 1958. For this, he wrote "The Charge Suite", published by Shawnee Press, which included "Bugler's Dream". ABC began using the composition as the theme to ABC Olympic broadcasts of the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, and in future Olympics. The 1984 Olympic theme opens with Arnaud’s “Bugler’s Dream” then transitions to the “Fanfare and Theme” composed by Williams. Cheers!
OMG the Time Tunnel! ("starring" Cat Woman and Vic Fontaine)
Please add Bernard herrmann to the list, luckey kids.
Rick is the best! In a world where social media personalities often make empty claims for clicks, Rick backs up his ideas with well constructed thoughts and presentation.
Lost in Space theme got me hooked on "Johnny" Williams. That was during his Jazz days. You're bang on Rick.
He should have featured that. Good post.
As a side note, he is also the father of Joseph Williams of Toto
Did not know that.
IMHO their best front man.
long live TOTO!
Wow, I never knew that! I'm learning lots of interesting trivia from the comments here!
🤯
The John Williams music that hits me the absolute hardest is weirdly enough not mentioned in this video, but it's the Theme for Schindler's List.
Everytime I hear it, I get the exact same emotional feeling I felt during this incredible and important movie. Unreal, how brilliant John Williams is.
100% not to mention he wrote the piece for one of the greatest Violinist of the last 50 years, Izach Perlman (also Jewish).
I feel the same with "Duel of the fates"
Schindler’s List theme brings me to tears every time!
Like I said, there should be a multi part series which would give time to some of the most important films John has done including Schindler's List.
Rick...I never knew who wrote all those Timless Melodies!!!
Everyone is glad to the see The World's Music Teacher is feeling better! God Bless you Rick.
Spot on Rick!! I really enjoyed this video but wish it were even longer!! Close Encounters, Home Alone, etc...
John Williams is a Global Treasure and a genius!! So thankful for him!! Thankful for his son Joseph who is with Toto and also sang in The Lion King!!
His little riff of “When you wish upon a star” at the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind is utter brilliance.
That was steven Spielberg, no?
@@1324Potatoit was Spielberg’s idea, but Williams is still the one who made it happen.
The Close Encounters score is definitely under-rated.
Who scored “wish upon a star”?.
And of course the 5 notes of Close Encounters. That entire soundtrack album is a great listen. It stands up as a wonderful work of modern classical music.
The greatest soundtrack of 77 could be Close Encounters! It's more innovative and modern than Star Wars. In 100 years that may be more attractive to performers and audience.
The aliens wrote that. ;-)
Yes! I kept waiting for that one during the vid, but he skipped it!
I remember playing a John Williams medley in middle school concert band and 1: It was the most popular music we ever played to our parents/community. 2: I realized John Williams was my favorite musician of all time, and he just kept cranking out themes since then. 3: The best music makes people feel something, and even our middle school band could pull off simplified versions of his masterpieces and get a response from the audience. Magical! PS - Rick, please interview him for as long as he'll let you. I've heard stories that he is a very generous person with his time and genuinely cares about musical art and education.
Fascinating and enriching as ever. Thank you, Rick!
This is kind of like my argument that Vince Guaraldi may be the most famous jazz musician of all time. Most people don't know his name but they know his music. Who hasn't seen a Charlie Brown cartoon sometime in their life. The music he did for those cartoons was my first exposure to jazz and I'm sure a lot of other people can say the same.
The Charlie Brown Christmas album (1965) is one of my all-time favourite albums.
Yeah, I get that a lot these days with Dave Brubeck too! Crazy hey?!
Love that Charlie Brown music. It was my gateway drug into jazz too.
Another jazz gateway is Johnny Costa, the music director from Mr Rogers Neighborhood. Top shelf jazz on a kids program, as requested by Fred himself.
and it's amazing music...
Definitely an all-timer. Ennio Morricone also deserved all his lifetime achievement accolades.
Morricone was my first guess, but obviously Williams is epic.
Ecstacy of Gold 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Yeah, he did the best song in movie history. :D
@@darthfencer412 The Trio!!!🎺🎺
Yup, he was a talented, funny, and generous guy, too. When Fox accidentally burned a century's worth of original film scores in their archives, he came in to re-write the entire scores of his movies from memory (he claimed he made a few improvements), all while cracking jokes about contemporary peers he didn't like so much.
I made sure to bring my 8 year old son to the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia several years ago to see John Williams lead the Philly Pops in an unbelievable evening of scores he had composed. It made both our faces light up for over an hour straight. It’s an evening I treasure and will never forget.
An interview with John Williams would be stupendous! What makes your interviews so enjoyable is that they come from someone knowledgeable in music matters. They work because they're conversations rather than simple Q&A sessions. You're able to bring out musicians' enthusiasm and some wonderful insightful anecdotes because you don't ask "same old, same old" questions.
An interview with John Williams the classical guitarist would be great too! 😉
Just when I think I cannot appreciate your work anymore, you go and make a video about my favorite composer of all time.
I’ve never commented on your videos, but… I wish I could add a photo. We saw him at the SF Symphony last February. On Valentines Day. I specifically picked GA tix behind the stage and we came early to get 1st row, so we’d be directly over the Timpani and could see him conduct. We were so close we could read the sheet music. Well done, Rick!
In 1984 the USA Olympic comitee commissioned John Williams to write a piece for the LA Olympic Games. It was called ‘Olympic Fanfare and Theme’ and was played live at the games.
Timely, as the 2024 Summer Olympics start this week!
He was also heavily involved with the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City! Call of the Champions was the Olympics theme for that year composed by John Williams while featuring the Tabernacle Choir. Georgeous piece
And everyone recognizes that as well whether they know its Williams or not
And used a concert openenr at so many occasions ever since.
Love that piece!
Came here to say this...
The Olympic fanfare is a perfect example of a world-wide, cross-cultural event that unites all of us. Williams' score (and subsequent variations) are a centerpiece of the games.
Rick! I know you talked about his film scores in media, but what about other media!? Don’t forget! It’s that time again! It’s amazing to think John Williams is the father of the sound of THE OLYMPICS! When I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics and heard the music, I said to myself “it’s utterly amazing to think, as someone born in 2002, that this wasn’t always the trademark of the Olympics. It’s so inextricably linked to the games and sounds so profound and ancient-like that you would think it’s something they pulled from Ancient Olympic games or something they made when they first instituted the modern Olympics at the end of the 19th century.” But nope! John Williams made it in the 90’s! And while it certainly won’t get as much global recognition as the Olympics, you can’t forget that his sound is the sound of every American’s Sunday night every autumn! 😁
68 years old and I still break into tears every single time I hear the fanfare from ET. It is truly sublime.
I'm 55, and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
I teach music to elementary school classes and I do a lesson on John Williams. The kids of all ages know his work instantly
Great video Rick, had me in tears
I didn't see that choice coming, but once I heard it, I was like, "Oh. Yeah." Good call.
Wow! The list is so extensive that the incredible "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" didn't get a mention. He's truly a marvel, a magician. Love your channel!
1971 kid here so I've grown up listening to John William's work through some of my favourite movies,he really is a national treasure.
Jaws music still kind of freaks me out today...
Not many pieces of music can make me cry. But his "Schindler's List" suite is an absolute heart-breaker.
💯
Yes! Memoirs Of A Geisha can do it too! Williams and Perlman are a force together.
@@noeldown1952 Certainly aided by another living legend, Itzhak Perlman!
Mm, I find it depressing. Maybe I find it difficult to separate music from the movie.
@@loreman7267 Fair to say it can do that.
I love how you got through that without ever mentioning Close Encounters of the Third Kind which is his masterpiece for me. Not sarcastic, I really do love it, just goes to show what a depth of work he has, that even the pieces you have to skip over are epic.
I noticed how the majestic fanfare notes of the Superman theme are kind of similar to the five note motif of Close Encounters. I think it shows Williams wanted in Superman to also give a sense of (what he perceived as) alien, out-of-Earth sounds.
Awe, Rick. You made me cry. Thank you for reminding me of so many great times in my life and how much John Williams wrote our childhoods. The music of today is just lost to this. How many kids have ever heard a symphony orchestra if it was for him? Or you? Thank you for reminding me each video of the joy of music.❤
The songs in these movies is as iconic as the movies themselves. As soon as you hear the first few notes you’re immediately transported to the first time you heard them. It’s crazy. His music is literally timeless.
I dare say the movies are iconic BECAUSE of the music. Without the right mood, it becomes a different experience. JW can send you to whatever atmosphere is needed better than anyone else!
Holy heck, you're right. And that's without even mentioning the astounding five notes of Close Encounters!
As soon as Rick said John Williams I was like omg of course it is. The way that man was able to imprint emotion, power, mystery, fear and mystical into his music is why his music made all of these movies so much better without these themes I feel the movies wouldn't have hit the same way they did.
Yeppers! I’ll have to agree with you 💯% on this one Ricky, John Williams is the GOAT!
And yet, you still barely scratched the surface on this short vid of the scope of John’s work. Such an incredible man, composer, conductor…
Extraordinary!!!
You are correct Rick. John Williams is the most widely recognized composer in the world right now. Beautiful music has come out from his mind and heart.
He has been my favorite music artist since 6th grade. If you can interview the maestro while he’s still on this earth, you MUST do it!!!
My favorite Williams piece is the theme to "Catch Me If You Can ", which brilliantly captures a moody late 50s jazz vibe (maybe "third stream") that perfectly sets the tone for the film, including a written out alto sax solo that sounds improvised. And it starts with a simple, catchy minor third motif. (For those who didn't know, Williams recorded a Jazz piano album, which can be found here on UA-cam.)
60's jazzy vibe...
Excellent music, too.
Tremendous soundtrack.
It's been adapted by JW into a concerto called Escapades. Works great live!
I thought that was written by the Dave Clark Five in the mid 60s.
I was about to post this comment, but luckily you said it already! Catch Me If You Can is genius! 🙌
Just hearing that fanfare at the end brought me to tears. What a magnificent maestro!
I play in a band with John Williams grandson, called vinyl Williams. A brilliant musician in his own right
@Chuck_W59 I am pretty sure his dad's name is Tape Williams 😜
@@Chuck_W59Yup or his twin sister Bobby Williams 🤣🤣
An interesting and compelling case. The thing to consider/ponder is would this music stand on its own without the connection to films that carried it to that huge audience? Or
Were it connected to lesser known films? Warner Brothers cartoons did make The William Tell Overture quite widely “recognized”…
In the end, hard to argue with Rick’s premise and conclusion…
@@Chuck_W59 I think that’s his uncle. But his dad played drums in air supply
@@Chuck_W59 joseph williams was on farenheit and 7th one, the first two were toto and hydra-bobby kimball
Everyone has grown up with those immortal tunes.
Here in Italy there is another composer that people immediately recognize, his name is Ennio Morricone.
Ennio Morricone was a true genius.
and Nino Rota (8 1/2)
Williams probabilmente ha fatto della musica più orecchiabile e pop...oltre al fatto che era americano, altrimenti Morricone numero 1
We love Ennio (Ecstacy of Gold is in my permanent playlist)
Many Germans, at least around my age (58), will recognise some of his themes too.
My favorite John Williams's score is the music he wrote for Lawrence Kasdan's 1988 film adaption of Anne Tyler's novel, "The Accidental Tourist" The score goes through multiple transformations, and it perfectly embodies the main character's internal struggles. By the way, there is a podcast called The Baton: A John Wiliams Musical Journey which has over 100 episodes discussing his scores for movie. Accidental Tourist is episode #64.
So right about E.T.
Not seen that film in over 30 years but with no dialgoue, a few images and Williams' score, I'm tearing up. It hits you right in the feels.
E.T.: "Flying" and the "Finale/Fanfare". Just a masterpiece.
I still get goosebumps when the bikes take off over the roadblock, and it’s all down to the score.
Over the moon.
nah it's far to sweet for me, it hurts my teeth (if i would still have).
@@becmiberserker Brings tears to my eyes just thinking of it. So beautiful
My Favorite John Williams Score Is The Olympics Theme Which He Wrote and Debut 40 Years Ago This Year
The 1984 Olympic Fanfare and Theme is outstanding. I actually prefer The Olympic Spirit from 1988, but Olympic Fanfare and Theme is a banger - particularly the original version with his fanfare, rather than Leo Arnaud’s Buglers Dream grafted on.
An interview would be a great historical record and tribute to John's contributions. I'm a session player here in LA and although I've never played on one of his scores (I play guitar and few of his scores include the instrument) I have played many of his Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall concerts. Rehearsals with John are a master class in conducting, orchestration and how to work with a large group of musicians. A brilliant, soft spoken man who has made an indelible mark on not only music, but the world.
Thank you Mr Beato for sharing this.
Dear Rick, thank you so much for this video. It's really heartwarming to hear you talking about John Williams. His tunes are instantly recognizable and memorable, but behind the deceptively simple vest, there is an incredibly rich harmonic vocabulary. He's also a great orchestrator--I have a podcast series where I talked with a lot of the Los Angeles studio musicians who performed in many of his film scores and everyone has singled out how masterful his writing is for every instrument.
Called it. As someone who has performed and still performs his works as a timpanist in an orchestra, John Williams is the obvious answer. They're all super fun pieces to play, as well. But the timpani part for the Imperial March is written like a bass fiddle part. I usually try to have more than the usual 4 drums--7 if I can get them--and still have to do pitch changes!
Rick, you continue to amaze your audience. This was a terrific segment and couldn’t agree more. We’re actually fans of Mr. Williams and have bought his soundtracks over many years on vinyl. Loved how you mix it up on your channel and we’ve certainly learned a lot. Thank you!-Chris $ Beth🎧
Love that you ended with E.T. Soaring! My favorite of all of his wonderful music he has allowed us to enjoy!
The music to E.T. made me cry when I watched it as a child, now I’m 47 and it still makes me cry.
John Williams has drawn upon all his influences and distilled the best bits into these pieces of musical art and turned them into something more than the sum of their parts!
Total Genius!
Definitely the G.O.A.T in my humble opinion!!
Please say that you’ve got him lined up for an interview!!!!????!!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
❤️
I have seen John Williams conduct his music with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra twice and it's one thing to hear his music recorded, but to hear it played by one of the best symphony orchestras in the world, is another experience altogether. Experiences I will never forget!
We old-timers remember that he wrote BOTH themes to "Lost in Space" back in the sixties as."Johnny Williams."
great tunes
Mind blown! Did not know that!
Wow.
The LIS season 3 theme is awesome!
Nooo! I didn't know that, and I am so proud that I recall both tracks! You blew my mind. doh.
That is a beautiful tribute - my entire childhood in music in 7mins...weve all connected to these beautiful musical creations and they will forever be apart of our emotional core. A global treasure.
I've grown so tired when people tell me "classical music" is boring. Yet, I bet every single one of them feels a swell from inside their soul when hearing just a few bars of the themes to Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, etc. John Williams has contributed more positive emotional resonance to global culture than any human being (so far). A great video.
for me? its when ppl say they dont know and dont like classical music, i then ask them if they ever watched bugs bunny cartoons
I put on Raiders at home a few years back, and when the Indy March kicked in, my young daughters ran through from the other room to see what it was. What other orchestral music does that?
Beethoven, Bach, Mancini, Morricone, to name few.
Close Encounters
G-A-F-
F--C
My thought as well... who can do so much with so little? Not many.
@@maggieo Zoltan Kodaly
@@maggieodon’t joke around. Be careful with that phrasing. 👽
@@maggieo Since it's in G Major I've always played it as A-B-G-G-D.
can bring a tear everytime. so many memories related to the songs, from the movies and beyond
It's fascinating that John Williams goes into a specific room in an old colonial age home in New England and there in the quiet of that room lit by sunlight, the inspiration comes for most of his music.
Superman theme blew us all away back then because we all desperately wanted Superman when it was released. But yup, you nailed this one, Rick. It might prove interesting if you walked his music backward to find the sources he used as a base.
The Superman theme always makes me feel so good. Makes me a little wistful, but my heart always swells when I hear it.
I remember that by the early 1980's many people would "label" the movie with "and it's John Williams". This was like saying "Michael Jordan" is in the lineup. Every movie he had done from the mid-70's on was HUGE, and we didn't have access to all the leaks / vids / information back then......BUT, when Siskel and Ebert said there's this new movie called Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, or ET, or Born on the Fourth of July coming out and music by John Williams. You knew it was going to be good. His brand attached to a movie was JUST as important as whoever the lead actor was...great video!
Welcome back Rick! What a great pick for broadcast too. Never knew and no surprise but wow nonetheless.
Now that's an interview I would be anticipating greatly
The Superman theme is my favourite, it's just so damn heroic.
Agree. Ironically I listened to it alot when I was training for an Ironman triathlon. Reminded of what a remarkable man Chris Reeve was.
RIP to people who played the Man of Steel over the years, and maestro Williams!
Rick, talk about ‘emotional resonance’! I’m six years older than you, and when you cued up ET’s “Flying Theme,” I teared up! Totally 😢verklempt !