John Williams: The Great Movie Soundtracks
Music composed by John Williams.
4 CD Box Set
CD One (Playing time = 79:33)
1. HARRY POTTER AND PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (Harry's Wondrous World)
2. INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (End Credits)
3.WAR HORSE (Dartmoor, 1912)
4. SABRINA (Main Theme)
5. FAR AND AWAY (Main Theme)
6
-11. American Journey (Suite)
12-17. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Suite for Cello and Orchestra)
Nos. 1-2: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, David Arnold, Director
Nos. 4-5: Itzhak Perlman, violin; Pittsburgh Symphony Orhestra
Nos. 6-11: Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles
Nos. 12-17: Yo-Yo Ma, cello;
Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
John Williams, conductor
CD Two (Playing time = 68:52)
1-2. JAWS (Main Theme - Out to Sea)
3-4. E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (Advenutes on Earth - Flying Theme)
5. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Main Theme)
6. LINCOLN (The People's House)
7-9. BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY
(Main Theme - Vietnam,1968- MASSAPEQUA, The Early Days)
10. SCHINDLER'S LIST (Main Theme)
11. JURRASSIC PARK (Main Theme)
12. EMPIRE OF THE SUN (Cadillac of the Skies)
13. Medley - When You Wish Upon A Star
14. THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS (Main Theme)
Nos. 1-4: London Symphony Orchestra
No. 7: Tim Morrison, trumpet
No. 14: Toots Thieleman, harmonica
No. 6: Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
No. 10: Itzhak Perlman, violin; Pittsburgh Symphony Orhestra
No. 12: American Boychoir; Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Williams, conductor
CD Three (Playing time = 54:57)
1-15. STAR WARS - London Symphony Orchestra; London Voices;
John Williams, conductor
CD Four (Playing time =65:22)
1. Air and Simple Gifts
2. Song of World Peace
3. Summon the Heroes
4.
Hymn to New England
5-9. The Five Sacred Trees: Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra
10.
Sound the Bells!
11. Elegy for Cello and orchestra
12. The Mission (Theme for NBC News)
13. 1941 (March)
14. The Olympic Spirit
Yo-Yo Ma, cello, Nos. 1 and 11
Itzhak Perlman, No. 1
Gabriela Montero, piano, No. 1
Anthony McGill, clarinet, No. 1
Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles, Nos. 2/ 10-12)
Boston Pops Orchestra (Nos. 3/ 13-14)
Utah Symphony Orchestra (No. 4)
Judith LeClair, bassoon (Nos. 5-9)
London Symphony Orchestra (Nos. 5-9)
John Williams, conductor
Total time = 4:28:44
Sony Classical 88875127322
Rating: ****
Since these are all re-issues of previously released recordings of music by John Williams -- not all of it is "movie music" -- this review will be brief.
As might be expected, STAR WARS is the only score to receive extensive recorded tracks and a complete CD and deservedly so.
But the other 3 CDs are even more worthwhile since they contain themes that might not be as familiar, such as from BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY and EMPIRE OF THE SUN (CD 2), both winners of Sammy Film Music Awards.
I'm especially pleased that CD 4 includes mostly his non-film music.
Of special note on CD4 is the first selection: "Air and Simple Gifts." For those who don't already know what this title means -- it was composed for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. "Simple Gifts" is the title of a well-known Shaker dance song made popular by Aaron Copland in his ballet score to "Appalachian Spring" and was a favorite of President Obama. The "Air" is an original composition by Williams to add a counter-melody to the piece. I have studied the Shaker dance song for over 30 years and have written a book about it.
To read about this Shaker song on the American Music Preservation website-- click here.
It is very appopriate that the last selection on CD 4 is "The Olympic Spirit." That can be used to describe the composer himself who has exhibited an "olympic spirit" in his many memorable film scores and concert works.
John Williams fully deserves to receive a Gold Medal as Olympic Champion of Music.
This is a highly recommended box set and well worth adding to your collection.
-- Reviewed by Roger L. Hall, 2016
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