This is the first single from a 20-track album of new arrangements of Williams cues specifically arranged by Williams for Anne Sophie Mutter.
Here's a short promotional video as well
Press release:
Deutsche Grammophon is proud to present a magical collaboration between two legendary artists: John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Available as of Friday, May 10th is “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter for violin and orchestra, adapted and conducted by John Williams himself and recorded with Anne-Sophie Mutter and the 70-strong Los Angeles Arts Orchestra at the iconic Sony Studios in Los Angeles.
The single captures the magic of a work loved by countless Harry Potter fans and adds a dazzling level of virtuosity to one of Williams’ most characterful compositions.
John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter describe the new version of “Hedwig’s Theme” as “Harry Potter meets Paganini”. They see its musical wizardry and stunning solo violin writing as “a Carmen Fantasy for the 21stcentury”, evoking memories of Pablo de Sarasate’s famous violin showpiece on themes from Bizet’s opera Carmen.
More details about the recording project featuring these two great artists will be announced on June 14, 2019.
And we have info on the full album, it drops August 30th
ACROSS THE STARS
Anne-Sophie Mutter / John Williams The Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles Label: Deutsche Grammophon?? Release Date: August 30, 2019
TRACK LIST
01. Rey's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") 02. Yoda's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back") 03. Hedwig's Theme (From "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone") 04. Across The Stars (Love Theme) (From "Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones") 05. Donnybrook Fair (Based On "Blowing Off Steam" From "Far And Away") 06. Sayuri's Theme (From "Memoirs Of A Geisha") 07. Night Journeys (From "Dracula") 08. Theme (From "Sabrina") 09. The Duel (From "The Adventures Of Tintin") 10. Luke And Leia (From "Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi") 11. Nice To Be Around (From "Cinderella Liberty") 12 .Theme (From "Schindler's List")
I'm intrigued to hear this whole album later this summer. The themes from Cinderella Liberty and Dracula are welcome offbeat additions to the more usual suspects.
I'd like to think that all the reissues MM has worked on have really reminded Williams of some of his great, lesser-known material. Like when he threw in a bit of The Fury at the beginning of The BFG, for one example.
The material in this recording will be featured live at Tanglewood on Sunday, July 7, at 2:30 PM. Guest Artist: Anne-Sophie Mutter Conductors: John Williams and David Newman
I have a Spielberg ...Williams...David Newman question..
Spielberg will soon start filming West Side Story, with David Newman...We all know that Williams and the Newmans are rock solid, so did Towner (Still Writing and conducting that lil Star Wars Film) Tell Spielberg to use David for West West Story? Does anyone have any knowledge of how we all got here.?
A few years ago, I saw David Newman conduct WEST SIDE STORY live-to-film at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops - VERY well done I might add and highly recommended if it comes your way. And David had done this at a number of other venues, so if ANYONE is already familiar with the Leonard Bernstein score, it got to be him. And, of course, if John Williams adds his two cents, I would presume it to be a no-brainer for Spielberg.
A few years ago, I saw David Newman conduct WEST SIDE STORY live-to-film at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops - VERY well done I might add and highly recommended if it comes your way. And David had done this at a number of other venues, so if ANYONE is already familiar with the Leonard Bernstein score, it got to be him. And, of course, if John Williams adds his two cents, I would presume it to be a no-brainer for Spielberg.
Right. Also, Williams is profoundly tied to the Newman family heritage. Add to this the involvement of Williams' super-fan Gustavo Dudamel and there you have it. It seems Spielberg likes to keep things "in the family" when JW isn't available.
Also, the track TIMES have been released, showing the album version of Hedwig's Theme is 6 minutes as opposed to the 4 minute single version we got
1 Rey's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") 3:16 2 Yoda's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back") 3:34 3 Hedwig's Theme (From "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone") 6:03 4 Across The Stars (Love Theme) [From "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"] 5:17 5 Donnybrook Fair (Based on "Blowing Off Steam" from "Far and Away") 3:53 6 Sayuri's Theme (From "Memoirs of a Geisha") 4:43 7 Night Journeys (From "Dracula") 5:38 8 Theme (From "Sabrina")4:58 9 The Duel (From "The Adventures of Tintin") 4:23 10 Luke and Leia (From "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi")5:01 11 Nice to Be Around (From "Cinderella Liberty") 4:02 12 Theme (From "Schindler's List") 4:12
A limited-edition 10' vinyl plus poster including Williams’ “Remembrances” from Schindler’s List and “Markings” for solo violin, strings and harp was also announced:
For those German speakers on the forum (or those who don't speak it but don't mind the dadaist spin of automatic translators), here is an interview with Anne-Sophie Mutter in the online format of Germany's largest news magazine:
UPDATE: There's a Deluxe Edition coming September 27th that has 5 more music cuts and a bonus DVD:
(I've bolded the 5 tracks that aren't on the standard cd/vinyl/DVD edition)
1. Rey's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") 2. Yoda's Theme (From "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back") 3. Hedwig's Theme (From "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone") 4. Across The Stars (Love Theme) (From "Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones") 5. Donnybrook Fair (Based On "Blowing Off Steam" From "Far And Away") 6. Sayuri's Theme (From "Memoirs Of A Geisha") 7. Remembrances (From "Schindler's List") 8. Night Journeys (From "Dracula") 9. Theme (From "Sabrina") 10. The Duel (From "The Adventures Of Tintin") 11. Princess Leia's Theme (From "Star Wars: A New Hope") 12. The Chairman's Waltz (From "Memoirs Of A Geisha") 13. Luke And Leia (From "Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi") 14. Nice To Be Around (From "Cinderella Liberty") 15. Theme (From "Schindler's List") 16. Markings 17. A Prayer For Peace (From "Munich")
Devil's Dance from Witches of Eastwick is nowhere to be found, but perhaps wasn't recorded (it was performed live by Mutter & Williams in Tanglewood last month)
Han Solo and the Princess was also teased on Facebook, maybe it wasn't recorded though
