A Long Time AgoIn a studio far, far

away…

John Williams

Born February 8, 1932 in New

York City

Still kickin’ at 80-years-old!

Jedi Master…

One of the most influential film composers of all time. He composed the music for many classic films such as E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, and yes, Star Wars.

“[He] has composed the music and served as a music director for more than one hundred films” (johnwilliamscomposer.com)

Education

Studied composition privately with Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco at UCLA

Studied piano with Madame Rosina LhZvinne at Juilliard School of Music.

Achievements Outside of Film

Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra from 1885 to 1993

Currently holds the title of Boston Pops Laureate Conductor

Served from 1952 to 1954 in the Air Force He conducted and

arranged music for the Air Force Band during that time.

Achievements in Film

Nominated for 45 Academy Awards

He has won five of them (For Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., Schindler’s List, and Fiddler on the Roof (arrangements)

Other great awards: Has received two

Emmy Awards, seven BAFTAs, 18 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame

Composer

Compositional style: Creates a sense of wonder and majesty in his music, “His music for George Lucas’s Star Wars has been credited with bringing back the symphonic film score at a time when film composers had begun to turn more and more frequently to popular music as the basis for their scores.” (Candelaria and Kingman 289-90)

Famous for using leitmotifs in his work. Many heroic themes Music tends to use a lot of brass instruments.

Compositions: Star Wars

“The Imperial March” “The Force Theme”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzntZLHcYy0

Listen for use of Leitmotif, powerful marching band-style rhythm, and heavy use of brass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-LCbflIPONM#t=79s

Listen for iconic awesomeness.

Compositions: Jurassic Park

“Welcome to Jurassic Park” Rawr!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM_kMXoew40

Listen for the majestic overtones present in the music.

Indeed

Closing statement: More listening examples:

Truly, this man is a genius. Totally deserving of the praise and awards, this man revolutionized the film industry.

Questions? (hopefully I have answers)

Jaws Theme

Superman Theme

Harry Potter Theme

Indiana Jones Theme (!)

References

 ed. "Bio." JohnWilliamsComposer.com. Sony BMG Music Entertainment, 18 2005. Web. 5 Dec 2012. http://web.archive.org/web/20051018143945/http://www.sonyclassical.com/artists/williams_composer/adbio.html

ed. "John Williams Biography." Film Music Box. Film Music Box, 27 2007. Web. 5 Dec 2012. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927011739/http://www.filmmusicbox.com/boutique_us/page_actus_page.cfm?code_lg=lg_us&num_actus=3

Candelaria, Lorenzo, and Daniel Kingman. American Music: A Panorama. 4th concise. Boston: Schirmer Cengage Learning, 2012. 289-90. Print.