It’s been two years since I last saw John Williams in concert, and I’ve forgotten how amazing it all is.
Once a year, David Newman and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra put together the Maestro of the Movies concert with John Williams. I did my research this time around and found an article about the history of these shows.
Newman conducts the first half of the show, playing a number of themes created by Williams and other composers of classic films.
Lawrence of Arabia
An American in Paris
The Godfather
Casablanca
He told us how film scores were originally referred to as “commentative music” when they were first practiced. The orchestra performed a few more pieces before intermission.
Then John Williams arrived. Neither he nor Newman were announced with actual introductions. Everyone knew that they were just there to celebrate the music and get right into it.
Williams conducted an opening act, then introduced the theme he composed for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. This is possibly his most famous work, although it’s only usually played in the United States.
He also played an overture for Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of The BFG. Then he switched gears and played some classical Indiana Jones music, with Marion’s theme and the chase scene from The Last Crusade.
Then came the Star Wars stuff.
Han’s theme
Yoda’s theme
”Throne Room and Finale”
The Imperial March
Everyone got the message and ignited their own lightsabers, including myself.
I always take some panoramas of the audience, and even they struggle to capture the sheer scale of the Star Wars fandom.
The practice is so widespread that even Newman and Williams themselves carry with them their own sabers to practice golf swings and wave goodnight to the crowd.
Check out the playlist below of pieces that John Williams has conducted at concerts like this.
Ever seen a concert like this? Got a favorite piece among the ones I mentioned? I’d love to hear from you.
