"Without John Williams 
Bikes don't 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, February 8, 2022 on John Williams 90th Birthday

​This year's Mystery Composer is John Towner Williams, or as we know him JOHN WILLIAMS!!!!  The week of February 19 saw our Mystery Composer Group  Lessons  where we watched videos, discussed the life and music of Williams and generally had fun.  Students received packets with information about Williams as well as homework assignments (besides practicing). Homework is due the week of March 11th at your student's private lesson.

Below are various links to YouTube videos that should be listened to and/or watched.  Unlike most of my Mystery Composers through the years, my biggest problem has been the wealth of videos and information regarding John Williams instead of not enough.  What I have below is just the tip of the iceberg.  Students can you find a video  of his music I didn't include?  Or perhaps another interview?  

Parents:  Spread out the listening assignments over the next couple of weeks, especially for the elementary students.  This is a lot of music to enjoy so take the time to do so.  Family dinners, in the car, a daily 10 minute special "listen" time would be good choices for the entire family to enjoy the music of Williams.  Probably, however, your family may already have some of this music on records or play lists.  Enjoy them!

Homework Assignments:
Click on your appropriate group for a pdf file of your assignment.

Early Elementary Students

Elementary Students

Middle School Students

High School Students


Listening Links

1.  Theme to "E.T."

​Philadelphia  Orchestra in Verizon Hall, April 19, 2022

The one and only maestro John Williams conducts his Flying Theme from "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" as an encore during his concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Extra:  Interview with Steven Spielberg about the making of ET

Universal Pictures All-Access
January 14, 2023

Steven Spielberg recounts the story of E.T.'s genesis, development and production in this new retrospective, touching on the inspiration for his story, Melissa Mathison's subsequent script, the focus on Elliot and his siblings over E.T., the personal nature of the project, and the overwhelmingly positive response to the film.

2.  Theme to "Jurassic Park"

John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic 
This concert, held in Vienna's Musikverein in January 2020,  was the first performance Williams had ever conducted in continental Europe.  For further enjoyment check this link provided by Deutsche Gramophone:  Discover “John Williams in Vienna”: http://dg.lnk.to/Williams

​3. Main Title Theme from "Superman"

Instead of watching a live orchestra with, perhaps, John Williams conducting, we are listening to part of a soundtrack while clips of various scenes from the movie stream across the screen.  A different experience than attending a live concert but closer to how we first hear this music.

Soundtrack from the 1978 Richard Donner film "Superman" with Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Valerie Perrine & Terrance Stamp.  YouTube clip offered by HD Film Tributes, a channel with over three hundred movie homages currently posted.

​4. Harry Potter Suite (4 "movements")

John Williams and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  (PBS)
This suite is narrated by John Williams who gives an overview of how and why he picked the instruments he used for each character/act of the movie.
     1.   Opening - Hedwig's Theme
     2.   2:02 - Fluffy
     3.   4:42 - Quidditch
​     4.   7:09 - Wizards Orchestra at Diagon Alley

(This clip does quit rather abruptly due, in some part, to Copyright Laws.)

5.  Star Wars:  A New Hope

John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic.  This track is #9 on the program of the concert in Vienna mentioned above. 

I remember sitting in the movie theatre in 1977, watching the opening of Star Wars and hearing this for the first time.   My word, the chills that went down my back.  I can imagine exactly how the people from the two  comments below feel!

“Dude, we’re playing Star Wars for John Freaking Williams!”
​“Dude, I know, we totally are!”

"The joy on that guys face at 0:38 really makes you smile."

​6.  Catina Band from "Star Wars"

Three different versions :  1st, the original soundtrack score from the movie; 2nd, the Danish National Symphony elaborating the magnificent jazz form; and 3rd, the Film Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Constantino Martínez-Orts, conductor, having some fun!
     A                                                                B

    C

7.  Theme from "Schindler's List"

​

According to starwars.com/database, the Catina Band we hear in the Movie is Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes.  This 7-piece ensemble of Bith musicians was a common sight at the Los Eisley Cantina, playing swinging instruments for the watering hole's staggering patrons. 

​One never knew who might walk in!

​
From the LA Opening Gala 2014:  John Williams Celebration

John Williams: Schindler´s List Theme 
Itzhak Perlman 
Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel

John Williams only wanted Itzhak Perlman to perform this--and composed it for him.

8.  Jaws: A: Theme -The Boston Pops           B: With music? Without? Which is scarier?

9.  Air and Simple Gifts:  written and arranged by John Williams

Itzahak Perlman, Violin           Anthony McGill, Clarinet
Yo Yo Ma, Cello                         Gabriela Montero, piano

Composed for the January 20, 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Williams based the piece one the familiar 19th century Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts"  by Joseph Brackets.   The source piece is famous for its appearance in Aaron Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring.  Williams chose the selection from Copland, one of  Obama's favorite classical composers.  

​10.  Interview:  John Williams & Steven Spielberg with Steven Colbert

The Late Show with Steven Colbert, March 3, 2023                               The Late Show with Steven Colbert, March 10, 2023

​11.  Biographies of John Williams

12.  50 Years of John Williams and Steven Spielberg 
​followed by a 
90th Birthday Tribute to John Williams (2022)