The Legacy of John Williams is proud to announce an exclusive online video event coming MAY 4, 2021 dedicated to one of the most iconic and beloved collaborations in the history of music.
THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: JOHN WILLIAMS AND THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will explore the 40+ years collaboration between the legendary film music Maestro and one of the world’s leading symphonic institutions in a conversation featuring several former and current members of the LSO who performed under John Williams’ baton in many of his iconic scores recorded in London: CLIVE GILLINSON (former Cellist and subsequently LSO Managing Director), DAVID CRIPPS (former LSO Principal Horn), MAXINE KWOK (current LSO First Violinist), DAVID JACKSON (current LSO Percussionist). Joining this esteemed group of musicians is Planning Director SUE MALLET, a member of the LSO family since 1976, who worked closely with John Williams in his projects with the LSO since the early days.
The panelists will talk about their fond memories recording and performing with John Williams on such legendary films as the original Star Wars trilogy, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Star Wars prequel trilogy,Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, but also on several other recording projects and live performances. The event is moderated and produced by The Legacy of John Williams’ editor/producer Maurizio Caschetto and film music journalist/concert producer Tim Burden.
'The Special Relationship' will premiere on MAY 4 (a.k.a. Star Wars Day) at 8PM BST / 3PM EST / 12PM PST at thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com and official YouTube channel.
Tim Burden produced a TERRIFIC musical tribute montage dedicated to this special relationship in music, featuring excerpts from the beloved film scores and compositions by John Williams recorded with the LSO from 1977 until today. Sit back, relax and listen to this magical musical journey with John Williams and the London Symphony!
I'd like to take the time to wholeheartedly thank you for your efforts, Mauricio! You and the Goldsmith Odyssey gang are really treating us fans with fantastic material.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! God Bless you all!
Congratulations Maurizio and Tim on a superb panel discussion!
It was wonderful to hear anecdotes, stories, and reminiscences from these important members of “The Star Wars Orchestra” both past and present.
I think David Jackson is spot on in saying that the music of Star Wars—in particular the 1977 film—gave an entire generation a “music education.”
For me—and I’m sure many of us—that double LP set was our first and indelible guide to the orchestra and the range of sounds it can make. From the beauty of the horn solos in Princess Leia’s theme, to the rousing action of the final battle, to the comic touches in the jawa music, to the atonal shock of the sandpeople music, John Williams was our music teacher.
Whenever I listen to music from that first Star Wars film, I get goosebumps hearing the “lightning in a bottle” nature of it. The incredible music. The exciting performances. The front and centre timpani propelling everything forward. The electric air to it, the tangible sense that this was history being made and, thankfully, recorded for us to hear whenever we choose.
Thanks for the great celebration and documentation of a very special relationship indeed.
I really enjoyed watching this video. It was nicely professionally done and edited. Although I expected great enthusiasm from the participating film music fans (of which I am definitely one) and personalities, I was most pleasantly pleased to hear the participating LSO musicians get almost giddy about how much they admire and appreciate the art and the craft of John Williams in accomplishing their individual performances. Their genuine feelings were quite infectious.
Thanks everyone for the truly nice words. It was a labour of love and I'm glad it turned out as a real tribute to John and his music through the words of some incredible musicians who played for him.
The video is available on YT to watch at any moment:
Thank you for organizing this meeting. Participants are enthusiastic, and some anecdotes correct preconceived ideas. For example, I thought the first track recorded with Maurice Murphy was the "Main Title". It was actually "Rescue of the Princess" ... a complex track to start a session, but it immediately set the tone.
This was an absolute pleasure to watch. The discussion about it took me right back to that night in 2018 at the RAH and the mix of emotions we all felt.
Thank you for organizing this meeting. Participants are enthusiastic, and some anecdotes correct preconceived ideas. For example, I thought the first track recorded with Maurice Murphy was the "Main Title". It was actually "Rescue of the Princess" ... a complex track to start a session, but it immediately set the tone.
In the original Star Wars deluxe edition booklet the liner notes had the cue list and the dates each were recorded, but Maurice starting his career with the LSO on a High C remains a better story =)
