| 2008 |
Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola
- Dedicated to Michael Zaretsky, viola
- Premiered in Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood on August 17, 2007 by Victor Romanul and
Michael Zaretsky.
- World Premiere Recording on "Duos for Violin and Viola" (Artona label),
released in 2008. |
| 2003 |
Soundings
- Written for the Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles
- One movement with five sections
- Intended to make the Concert Hall "sing"
- John Williams conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
in the world premiere in the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 25, 2003. |
| 2003 |
Concerto
for Horn and Orchestra
- Composed for Dale Clevenger and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2003,
on a commission from the Edward F. Schmidt Family Commissioning Fund.
- The orchestra consists of three flutes and piccolo, three oboes and english horn,
three clarinets and bass clarinet, three bassoons and contrabassoon, four
horns,
three trumpets, three trombones and tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, piano,
celesta, and strings.
- Performance time is approximately twenty-four minutes.
-The concerto was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
conducted by John Williams on November 29, 2003.
- ANGELUS
"Far far away, like bells
At evening pealing"
- THE BATTLE OF THE TREES
"Swift Oak ... Stout Guardian of the Door"
- PASTORALE
"There Came a Day at Summer's Full"
- THE HUNT
"The Hart Loves the Highwood"
- NOCTURNE
"The Crimson Day Withdraws"
|
| 2002 |
Call
of the Champions
The Official Theme of the 2002 Olympic
Winter Games |
| 2001 |
Three
Pieces for Solo Cello
- Intended to reflect the African-American experience
- "I thought that the cello might be especially well-suited to express the vernacular
manner
of musical speech and rhythmic inflection that characterize this most
important
'root-source' of American music." (JW)
- Rosewood: The cello groans under the crack of the work-gang whip and
imitates the old
steel-fronted guitar played by some of the early workers as they tried to ease the
pain
of their long hours in the fields.
- Pickin': The title refers both to the art of banjo pickin' and the act
of picking cotton itself.
- The Long Road North: This piece was inspired by a Rita Dove poem of the
same name.
She describes the indomitable spirit that has always animated the African-American
journey to freedom. |
| 2001 |
Elegy
for Cello and Orchestra
- The score of 'Seven Years in Tibet' includes a short
melodic fragment which was shaped
into the form of the 'Elegy'.
- The fragment can be heard in the track 'Regaining a Son' on the 'Seven Years in Tibet'
soundtrack.
- The 'Elegy' was originally written for a memorial service. |
| 2001 |
Heartwood
Inspired by a book entitled 'Heartwood' that contains
photographs of trees. |
| 2001 |
Treesong
Inspired by a Chinese dawn redwood (metasequoia) in the
Boston Public Garden. |
| 2000 |
American
Collection Theme
John
Williams composed a new theme for ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre's AMERICAN COLLECTION for
films based on American literary works. The theme, which was performed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma
and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, made its debut on October 25, 2000. In April
2001, Yo-Yo Ma and John Williams recorded an extended 3:29 version of the 'American
Collection Theme' with the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles on the Sony Scoring
Stage. This new recording is included in CLASSIC YO-YO. |
| 1999 |
The
Unfinished Journey
This six-movement work was composed for
the Millennium celebrations in Washington, D.C. as part of a multimedia presentation done
in collaboration with Steven Spielberg, Poets Laureate Rita Dove, Robert Pinsky, and Maya
Angelou. The presentation also featured the words of Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln and
Martin Luther King, Jr. Rather than a chronological rendering of the "American"
century, this is, rather, an attempt to portray the 20th Century thematically, "with
a series of tableaux that could be dealt with individually," says Williams.Recorded live at Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.,
on Dec 31, 1999.
America's Millennium Gala was hosted by the White House and the
Smithsonian Institute.
The performance and film were broadcast on the CBS Network.
Millennium Gala Orchestra conducted by John Williams
Film footage assembled by Steven Spielberg
American Journey
John Williams recorded the six movements
under the new title 'American Journey' with the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles at
Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California, on December 9-10, 1999. This recording is
available on 'Call of the Champions' and features no narration. |
| 1999 |
for
Seiji!
This is a collection of musical thoughts and
jottings for orchestra, dedicated to Seiji Osawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra as they
celebrate twenty-five years of artistic collaboration. These jottings also form little
portraits of just a few of the soloists in the orchestra's ranks, and, at other moments,
sketches of entire sectional groups. |
| 1998 |
Seven
for Luck
- This is a
Song Cycle for Soprano and Orchestra. It sets to music seven poems
by former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove.
- John Williams conducted soprano Cynthia Haymon and the Boston Symphony Orchestra
in the world premiere of the complete cycle at Tanglewood on July 25, 1998. |
| 1997 |
Bassoon
Concerto ('The Five Sacred Trees')
- Inspired by the
writings of British poet and mythologist Robert Graves.
- In Graves' writings, John Williams found descriptions of prehistoric Celtic
rituals
that demonstrate a reverence for nature. |
| 1996 |
Trumpet
Concerto
- Written in 1996 for Michael Sachs, the
Cleveland Orchestra's principal trumpeteer.
- The world premiere by the Cleveland Orchestra
conducted by Christoph von Dohnanyi
(with Michael Sachs on trumpet) was in October 1996. |
| 1996 |
Song
for World Peace
(Reworked Version of "Satellite
Celebration")
Song for World Peace, as tender and
lyrical as anything Williams has ever written, was composed for the Boston Symphony
Orchestra and dedicated to its longtime Music Director, Seiji Ozawa. The piece was first
performed in Tokyo during a tour of the Pacific Rim. |
| 1996 |
Summon
the Heroes!
- Dedicated to Tim Morrison, the Boston
Symphony's principal trumpeter.
- Written for the Centennial Celebration of the Modern Olympic Games,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 19, 1996. |
| 1995 |
Variations
on 'Happy Birthday!'
- Written for a Tanglewood concert
celebrating three birthdays:
Seji Ozawa's 60th, Itzhak Perlman's 50th and Yo-Yo Ma's 40th
- John Williams conducted the premiere performance by the Boston Symphony
on July 23, 1995.
- John Williams also conducted the piece as an encore on a April 29, 1996
joint concert by the Los Angeles and Israel Philharmonics celebrating
Zubin Mehta's 60th birthday. |
| 1994 |
Cello
Concerto
- Seiji Ozawa suggested that John Williams write a concerto for cello and orchestra
with
Yo-Yo Ma in mind.
- The Boston Symphony commissioned the work.
- John Williams conducted the first performance with Yo-Yo Ma as soloist on July 7, 1994
at a concert that celebrated the opening of Ozawa Hall in Tanglewood. |
| 1993 |
Sound
the Bells!
Sound the Bells, written to celebrate a
marriage in the Japanese Royal Family, finds Williams pursuing the inspiration of the
great Japanese temple bells. Instead of resorting to a false orientalism, the composer
exploits the timbre and luster of the western symphony orchestra's own bells to convey
American greetings to the Japanese Royal Couple. |
| 1992 |
Fanfare for Prince Philip |
| 1991 |
Clarinet
Concerto
- Written for Michele Zukovsky, principal clarinettist
of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
- She performed the world premiere of the Clarinet Concerto with the Riverside County
Philharmonic
conducted by John Williams on April 13, 1991.
- The available live recording is credited to the "Bohemian Orchestra" conducted
by John Williams. |
| 1990 |
Celebrate
Discovery
- Written for the 500th anniversary of
Columbus' discovery of America.
- The premiere performance by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
conducted by John Williams was on July 4, 1990. |
| 1989 |
Winter
Games Fanfare |
| 1988 |
Olympic
Spirit
Written especially for the NBC Sports Division in
celebration of the 1988 Olympics, Seoul |
| 1988 |
Fanfare
for Ten-Year-Olds |
| 1988 |
For
New York
(a.k.a. "To Lenny! To Lenny!")
For New York: Variations on Themes by Leonard Bernstein originated as part of a
tribute for the composer's 70th birthday. Williams combined "New York, New York"
from On the Town and "America" from West Side Story with "a little
snippet of 'Happy Birthday' in there, of course...It was meant to be fun" and it
is "but it now turns out to be a kind of elegy both for Lenny and a warm tip of
the hat to New York City itself." |
| 1988 |
Fanfare
for Michael Dukakis
- Written for the Democratic politician
(and candidate for President of the USA)
Michael Dukakis.
- The premiere performance by the Boston Pops conducted by Harry Ellis Dickson
(associate conductor of the Boston Pops and Dukakis' father-in-law) took
place
at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. |
| 1988 |
Presidential
Election Coverage |
| 1987 |
Hymn
to New England
- Written as accompaniment to 'New England
Time Capsule',
a show at Boston's Museum of Science.
- The first public performance by John Williams and the Boston Pops was on May 5,
1987.
- A recording with the Boston Pops conducted by Keith Lockhart (1996)
is available on 'American Visions'.
- A recording with the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles conducted by
John Williams (2000) is available on 'Call of the Champions'. |
| 1987 |
"We're
Lookin' Good!"
- Dedicated to the Special Olympics (International Summer
Games 1987).
- The premiere performance by the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
was on May 5, 1987 at Symphony Hall, Boston.
- The lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
- The march was never officially released.
- It can be found on the bootlegs 'Fanfares and Themes' (poor sound quality)
and '7 for Luck' (live recording, excellent sound quality). |
| 1986 |
Celebration
Fanfare
- Written for the 150th anniversary of
Texas' Declaration of Independence.
- The first public performance by the Houston Symphony Orchestrea
conducted by Sergiu Comissiona was on September 6, 1986. |
| 1986 |
Liberty
Fanfare
- Written for the centennial of the Statue
of Liberty.
- Commissioned by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.
- The premiere performance by the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
was on June 4, 1986.
- The fanfare was performed by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
conducted by John Williams on July 4, 1986 as part of the ceremonies.
- A recording with the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
is available on 'By Request'. |
| 1985 |
Tuba
Concerto
- Dedicated to Chester Schmitz, principal tuba player of
the Boston Pops.
- The concerto was composed for the Boston Pops' 100th anniversary.
- The world premiere by the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
(with Chester Schmitz on tuba) was on May 8 1985. |
| 1985 |
Mission
Theme (NBC Nightly News)
- In 1985, John Williams wrote four themes for the NBC
Network:
- The Mission (for NBC Nightly News, first aired on Sep 9, 1985)
- Fugue For Changing Times (for a Connie Chung news magazine)
- Scherzo For Today (for The Today Show)
- The Pulse of Events (for special reports and later for 'Meet the
Press')
- The four themes and several other cues can be found on 'Fanfares & Themes'
and 'The Music of NBC News, Vol II'.
- A recording with the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams (1987)
is available on 'By Request'.
- A recording with the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles
conducted by John Williams (1999) is available on 'Call of the Champions'. |
| 1984 |
Olympic
Fanfare and Theme
- Written for the 1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles
- John Williams conducted the premiere of the work at the
opening ceremonies
of the 23rd Olympiad on July 28, 1984 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
- He first recorded his Olympic Fanfare and Theme with a Los Angeles studio orchestra
before the public premiere (available on 'The Official Music of the 1984
Games' and
'The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad Los Angeles 1984').
- John Williams recorded the piece with the Boston Pops in 1987 (available on 'By
Request').
- A third recording from 1996 can be found on 'Summon the Heroes' (with Leo
Arnaud's
'Bugler's Dream' fanfare), again with John Williams conducting the Boston
Pops. |
| 1982 |
America,
the Dream Goes On
- Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.
- Originally written for male soloist, chorus and orchestra.
- The piece was premiered in 1982 by the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
- The first recording was made in 1984 with James Ingram as soloist for the
Boston Pops album 'America, the Dream Goes On'. |
| 1982 |
Esplanade
Overture
- Conceived as a 'Comedy Overture' in May
1982.
- When John Williams scored the film 'Monsignor', he used music from the overture.
The track 'Meeting in Sicily' is almost identical to the 'Esplanade
Overture'..
- The 'Esplanade Overture' was premiered on May 3, 1983. |
| 1981 |
Pops
on the March
- Written as a memorial for Arthur Fiedler
when John Williams was named
Fiedler's successor as Music Director of the Boston Pops.
- The premiere performance by the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams
was on April 28, 1981.
- A recording with the Boston Pops conducted by John Williams is
available on ' I Love A Parade'. |
| 1980 |
Jubilee
350
- Written for the 350th anniversary of
Boston in 1980 (subtitled "To the City of Boston").
- The premiere by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
conducted by John Williams
was on September 21, 1980 at City Hall Plaza.
- A recording with the Recording Arts
Orchestra of Los Angeles conducted by
John Williams (2000) is available on 'Call of the Champions'. |
| 1980 |
Fanfare
for a Festive Occasion
- Written for the Boston Civic Orchestra
and its conductor Max Hobart.
- The fanfare was premiered by that ensemble on November 14, 1980. |
| 1976 |
Violin
Concerto
- John
Williams' first wife Barbara Ruick died in 1974. He then began composing
his Violin Concerto and completed it in 1976, dedicating it to her memory.
- The concerto's first performance was on January 29, 1981 with Leonard Slatkin
conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.Violin Soloist:
Mark Peskanov
- The world premiere recording was made in London on December 13, 1981
with Leonard Slatkin conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. The violin
soloist was again Mark Peskanov.
- John Williams recorded his violin concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra
at Symphony Hall in October 1999. This time the violin soloist was Gil
Shaham. |
| 1975 |
Thomas
and the King
- A stage musical based on the life of Thomas Beckett.
- John Williams' first and only musical.
- Orchestrations by Herbert Spencer
- Conducted by Ian McPherson
- Premiere: October 16, 1975
- Album recorded at PRT studios, London on 27 and 28 August 1981 |
| 1971 |
A
Nostalgic Jazz Odyssey
- Composed for the Eastman Wind Ensemble
and premiered by that group
under the direction of Donald Hunsberger in 1971.
- The Japanese premiere was on June 9, 1994. |
| 1969 |
Flute
Concerto
- Written in 1969, the concerto was inspired by the
Japanese Shakuhachi flute.
- "[The instruments] make mysterious sounds like the snapping of branches
while we explore some imaginary mythical forest." (John Williams)
- The world premiere recording was made in London in 1981 with Leonard Slatkin
conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. The flute soloist was Peter Lloyd
(Principal Flute of the LSO). |
| 1968 |
Sinfonietta
for Wind Ensemble
- Composed in 1968 and recorded in 1972 for
Deutsche Grammophon Donald Hunsberger
and the Eastman Wind Ensemble.
- The piece has three movements and is scored for a large orchestral wind section. |
| 1966 |
Symphony
No. 1 |
| 1965 |
Essay
for Strings
The premiere performance by the Houston Symphony Orchestra
in 1965
was conducted by André Previn. |
| 1965 |
Prelude
and Fugue
- Scored for wind instruments and
percussion.
- Dedicated to pianist Claude Thornhill (whom John Williams knew as a child).
- The premiere by the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra conducted by Stan Kenton
was on March 29, 1965.
- The Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra with Stan Kenton also made a studio recording
in 1965. |
| 1960 |
Wind
Quintet |
| 1951 |
Piano
Sonata |
