Country : Germany / United States Label : Deutsche Grammophon Genres and styles : Classical Year : 2020

John Williams in Vienna

· by François Vallières

Composer John Williams needs no introduction. Although a celebrated musical architect and creator of moods for a staggering number of Hollywood films, he’s less well known for his concert music. The presence of John Williams – creator of two symphonies, a dozen concertos, chamber music, and vocal works – on stage as a composer of “intellectual” music is a major event. 

Throughout his career, Williams’ language has been strongly influenced by many predecessors – Gustav Mahler, Igor Stravinsky, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Gustav Holst, to name but a few. It’s therefore no surprise that a multitude of symphony orchestras around the world perform his music. It was in response to an invitation from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra that the 88-year-old American went to Austria to conduct a concert exclusively devoted to his music for film. The composer concocted a program including his greatest hits (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T.), as well as lesser-known works (Hook, War Horse, Close Encounters of the Third Kind). 

Music lovers and film-score aficionadoes accustomed to hearing Williams’ music performed by American orchestras with a very direct and powerful sound will be surprised by the dignified, polished, and intensely controlled approach of the Viennese. The VPO, considered by many to be the best in the world, gives readings here that are always very intense, very energetic, almost operatic, giving an extraordinary breath to this music which is, by its intrinsic nature, resolutely dramatic. To this clash of titans, we must also add the presence of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, at the peak of her art on “Devil’s Dance” from The Witches of Eastwick, an extremely virtuoso arrangement by the composer especially for this concert. 

For the record, it should be noted that Williams did not originally program the famous “Imperial March” from Star Wars. It was at the request of the orchestra’s brass section that he changed his tune. The result, in this writer’s humble opinion, is the best version of this piece ever recorded.

Latest 360 Content

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Martin Saint – Seekers

Martin Saint – Seekers

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Jaco – Plan F

Jaco – Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

Laurence Hélie – Tendresse et bienveillance

Laurence Hélie – Tendresse et bienveillance

From Zigaz to Charlie Juste

From Zigaz to Charlie Juste

FACS, WORKS, and DahL at Quai Des Brumes

FACS, WORKS, and DahL at Quai Des Brumes

Before Sitting Down Alone at The Piano, Ingrid St-Pierre Responds

Before Sitting Down Alone at The Piano, Ingrid St-Pierre Responds

Virginia MacDonald, clarinet rising soloist with ONJM

Virginia MacDonald, clarinet rising soloist with ONJM

Lionel Belmondo , Yannick Rieu and l’OSL: Symphonic Jazz Around Brahms, Ravel and Boulanger

Lionel Belmondo , Yannick Rieu and l’OSL: Symphonic Jazz Around Brahms, Ravel and Boulanger

Subscribe to our newsletter