John Williams with LSO for SW2-AOTC

[NiclasThobaben]

Goergoe lucas ever says the same sentence "Star wars is basically a silent movie" it is sooo amazing!

[spabunker21]

The best orchestra in the world!!Who is the oboe player?

[greggood2013]

Haha did anyone notice the guy in the red sprinting off the stage at the very end???

[rancor022]

I love his music, especially for Star Wars. I just wish Sony would release the Ultimate Edition soundtrack from episodes 2 and 3 so that we can hear even more of his amazing music!!

[ubuu7]

That oboe sound solo around the 30s mark sounds the best I have ever heard, even better than the official recordings... What happened? Was it more pronounced in this take or something else? It seemed to out class the entire orchestra.

[JM4EDR]

Again, how can there be 3 dislikes??????, this is a work of genius.

I put John Williams up with the great composers, his work is astounding and will live on forever.

I will be devastated when he passes away, such a wonderful man as well as a genius composer.

[monkeywho]

Anybody noticed that the percussionist with the claves isn't holding them correctly!??!? 

[doublemgprod]

Beautiful music, one of my all time favourite songs.

[StarWarsFan786]

use the guitar or not? i think george Lucas responded "no" because the guitar was muted for the film version of the track. if you need proof download the force unleashed 2 game rip in the final Fantasy Shrine Forums "vgm legacy 2010" thread. And get the tracklist from the JWfan "prequel trilogy music resource" thread.

[Sk1nnyV1nny22]

John Williams sounds like the crazy old guy from saw

[Mystefier]

Wow, what an awesomly informative video! So full of details. Thanks for posting.

[RogueRotting360]

'Five films, with a huge glossary of themes, but we have no love theme."

What about Han Solo and the Princess?

[EdwardWhelanPiano]

This guy can take George Lucas' shit film and make it watch-able. That's an amazing achievement!

[ramzeysid]

it only takes him 2-3 months to do 2 and a half hours of music!! my god! that's painfully difficult, that's al experience that is! tis what i'm going for! i hope it comes naturally with more experiene =D

[nikkiwhite40]

I wonder what's its like to audition to be in his orchestra??

And does he keep the same people- or re audition for every movie?

[Compozzer]

He usually uses the LSO (London Symphony Orchestra). Check their website for openings.

Cheers!

[edsheadsaid]

Can you not read the description? It says quite clearly in the TITLE and DESCRIPTION this is the LSO. It is not his orchestra, and he has no control over who is in it, or not. He uses them for most of his soundtracks simply because they are one of the finest symphony orchestras in the world.

[monkeywho]

@nikkiwhite40 Those people are hired by a Music Contractor - it is extremely difficult to get into this type of an orchestra, and the people that make it can sight-read extremely, extremely well. They get about one read through and then they have to play it through - perfectly. Plus - on top of all that - time is money so there is a lot of pressure for everything to go smoothly.

[StewieSwan]

John Williams is my favorite composer and I think Star Wars is the best film score of all time

[englishfrenchgerman]

John Williams has done loads of film work. Star Wars, Harry Potter etc. He's a genius

[gattika72]

JW is the best

[gattika72]

J.W. is the best

[medamine39]

Matter fact, John Williams Marked me. Concerning Movies History, I rank him 2nd after German Gottfried Huppertz (Metropolis, Die Nebelungen). Concerning US History, I also rank him 2nd, my first one was George Gershwin (An American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue). John Williams is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST COMPOSER STILL LIVING IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Thank you.

[jamespianomanh]

I agree pretty much...

[thejugglenaut91]

que?

[kidnflorida]

Did I hear him say 'Take 260'? Wow, it must be great being with all those musicians for such a long time. I have to work on my chops if I want to survive the professional world.

[truthspeaks84]

Yeah, unlike all the other genres, classical (technically it's not "classical" but you get the point) musical compositions choose not to comp multiple takes, meaning they don't take the best from each take to make one great take. They have to be perfect through the entire take!

To make matters even MORE difficult, the songs are usually > 5 min. That's a LONG time for 90+ people to be perfect ALL at the same time!!!

[thegoodgeneral]

Don't worry, hahaha, they didn't do 260 takes of this particular piece. It's most likely a label number.

[thegoodgeneral]

Sorry, I should specify! Label number as in "2-60."

[jayce79]

This is great. I've never seen this. Thanks for sharring.

[truthspeaks84]

At the risk of sounding incredibly crass, as a "guy," I'm usually preoccupied with just getting ass . . . but this magnificent work of art reveals meaningless sex for what it is and makes me fall in love with the idea of being in love.

But I guess both extremes can be equally detrimental if you're not careful.

[thegoodgeneral]

Either that was a genuine comment or fervently sarcastic. Either possibility makes you out to be quite intelligent, though. ;D

[truthspeaks84]

Lol, I'll keep it shelved in the "Unsolved Mysteries" :-)

[thegoodgeneral]

You're cool in my book. b d

[Finners1551]

Ahhh the LSO horn section is too good... Jonny Lipton 1:34, King of Low, what a legend

[1337evan]

hahaha he sort of scolded David Pyatt. :-)

[jayce79]

Where in the world did you get this? Fantastic.

[sbmrunning]

i agree ! this is moving for me too see !

[MusicalFan1701]

I think it's from the DVD Special Collector's Edition, with the special features.

[bigbiker05]

John Williams is the MAN!

[RoofBoys]

Really lovely performance!

John Williams Killed it!

[JaneRox22]

I absoulutly love John Williams' work. He is highly appreciated by me.

[wimmzey]

check out the cellist at the far lower right who books at the end of the video! LMAO!!! :o)

[petitanyell1]

Everytime I listen a track by him I think: "Oh shit, he's a genius" I mean, that harmonies are just so beautiful... I don't know, it blinds me by some kind of powerful marvel. :-)

[queggy1]

Same here, petitanyell1! Don't know how he keeps doing this for so long... he gotta be a true genius. No doubt!

[parapluiesdechebourg]

I don't understand why my comments have gotten so many thumbs down.

Can someone tell me what they seem to convey?

I meant only to agree with the other commenters and express my deep appreciation for this great man's music---just as any other fan.

[theVAGINAtheist]

Terrible film. Great music.

[JurassicParkFan14]

In my own personal Opinion John Williams is the best Composer ever.

[parapluiesdechebourg]

I admit that taste must play a part in everyone's opinion, but I completely and whole-heartedly agree with you.

He is remarkable from all perspective; technically, professionally, critically and humanly.

[Sonjadee]

Perhaps John Williams is not the greatest composer EVER, but i understand where you are coming from; his music is amazing

[kansterstrak]

This video is ''behind the scenes'' in the star wars movies.

[TreborJanessIII]

Beautiful. Pure genius. This theme always makes me tear up. John Williams is definitly one of my favorite composers.

[parapluiesdechebourg]

He is definitely my one favorite.

[TheTruth006]

He has a love theme for Han Solo an leia. Whats he talking about no love theme.

[parapluiesdechebourg]

I think he means of all the recorded tracks none are dedicated to one love theme, like Across the Stars.

There is no "Han and Leia's love theme" on any of the soundtracks.

[TheTruth006]

Well technically there is. The track "Han Solo and the Princess" is probably the closest thing to being what he would call it as a specified track.

[parapluiesdechebourg]

Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't notice that one.

I'm really sorry for not being more sure before commenting.

I now wonder why he said that.

Maybe because Han Solo and Princess Leia's story wasn't like Anakin and Padme's.

Han and Leia were romantically involved, but maybe it wasn't clear enough to be as much of a definite love story like Anakin and Padme's.

Either way, I do agree that it qualifies as a love theme---a good love theme!

I always remember it impressed me strongly when I was a boy.

[woollyfeet]

musicians fascinate me. I can't even _imagine_ making something sound that good.

[WilliamsNexus]

I was curious... where did you get this video? I've been looking for it. I've checked the DVD's and not found it...

[karoliscd]

who can tell me what is the name of this song

????????

[aihoschema]

The tune (cue) is called: "Across the Stars".

[sokrates251]

he's the greatest composer of filmmusic in history

[composer86]

there are a lot of great composer of filmmusic in history and I don't think that John Williams is the greatest. For exemple Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Alfred Newman, Bernhard Hermann etc.

[mjfindlay1968]

A great composer

[reformedfruit]

Williams is brilliant.

What bugs me is hearing McCallum and Lucas praise Williams up and down, yet they had no problem hacking apart his music in Clones and Sith. Williams MADE the Star Wars films, and they should have treated his music better in these two films, instead of cutting and pasting so much of Williams score (e.g. Pasting in old "Empire Strikes Back" music for Revenge of the Sith)

[jera3]

Awesome, just love John Williams :P

[titaberredo]

EU amo John Williams!

[nshipp1234]

Truly an exhilerating musical prowess. Williams really could perfect the theme for any scenario given; genius.

[macree01]

At 3:00, he says there has never been a love theme in any Star Wars film, yet if I remember correctly there was a love theme in episode v called "Han Solo and the Princess". Its the song that is played when Han is lowered in to the carbonite chamber.

[thegoodgeneral]

I think they mean in a leitmotific manner. However, they might be saying, "THIS IS THE FIRST LOVE THEME FOR STAR WARS" to get some extra attention, hahaha.

[macree01]

True. I think that they just plain forgot about "Han Solo and the Princess", after all it isnt usually the most played piece in all of the star wars repitoire.

[H3venAndH3ll]

any great composer or musician that has the ability to write music that controls deep emotions is truly a great composer/musician.

[Iacrodgers]

I think what makes John Williams seem better to older composers is that his work comes in tandem with materpeice films, which allow a greater understanding of what his music is about, pulling on the emotions a bit more.

Such is the benefit of living in modern times.

[rock27863]

John Williams isnt unique and there are two words that can describe his music,Igor Stravinzky. If you listen to Stravinzky's Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) or even Petrushka you can clearly hear that he completely took lines from those, even some Wagner, and he recycles his works.If you listen to some things from the original star wars trilogy and then Indiana Jones like when he is going into the lighting room in Raiders of the Lost Ark its the same lite motif. So check them out...

[pacificguitarist]

You couldn't be more wrong.

[rock27863]

ok...how am I wrong?

[rock27863]

like im not saying he sucks...nor am i saying he doesnt know what he is doing by any means...so how am i wrong?

[pacificguitarist]

Honestly- go study your music. I won't even bother to argue with you. Go get a degree in music, and then come back and talk to me. Specifically, composition or film scoring.

[max97230]

rofl rofl rofl pacific guitarist you crack me up. Honestly- Pass 3rd grade then come back to talk.

[stcolreplover]

I LOVE JOHN WILLIAMS,

[SirLunchbox8907]

Don't get me wrong, he is great.

But in my eyes, he is equally matched by James Horner AND James Newton Howard.

[DarthMessias]

I think James Horner and Howard are good too, but I must admit that John Williams has something that makes him unique!

[LadyInDaHouse88]

i love him!! there are no words which can describe his music!!

[BCviolin8290]

2-3 months to write the ENTIRE score?!?!?!?

wow, that's like super uber mega fast. but then again, it's john williams! =)

[marioaran]

John Williams is the most amazing composer in the world!! Okay, I'm obviously exaggerating my opinion, I'm not gonna argue anything, but still, you gotta admit he's really good. There have been tons of songs I fell in love with then later found out he wrote them. Now putting him together with an awesome director and movie maker, like George Lucas, or an awesome writer, like Michael Crichton... even better!

[Gredran]

very brilliant composer. i guess though, which is no problem as long as u can still do ur job but i guess hes old style? he could use like finale and sibelius to hear his music. but thats ok he has his reasons even if they are as simple as he wants to be surprised the first time he stands in front of the orchestra. still he is phenomonal and a great inspiration for myself as an aspiring composer so whatever works for him he better keep up, i just wanted to point it out

[Sylar000000]

staw wars and ahrry potter great. i hated when he didn't direct in the 4th movie

[simnos1]

John Williams is a talented film composer. That's not to say he's a 'great' composer but to say he has no original ideas is silly. It takes skill to do what he does, whether or not he takes themes from Dvorak.

[rock27863]

and many others....like Stravinzky...Wagner...Shostako­vich...

[simnos1]

who hasn't? Why is this a bad thing? I love all those composers and i'm glad someones trying to emulate them. Art is all about stealing anyway - Picasso once said, Good artists copy, great artists steal.

[Manfrida]

If Mozart and Bethoven had lived today they would have made scores for movies.

[filmmusic29]

There are places where John Williams borrows. I don't know how organman52 puts Debussy in the list and leaves out Stravinsky. For that matter, here is a quote from Stravinsky....."Good composers borrow. Great composers steal." Also, I think it is ridiculous to say that John Williams doesn't have original ideas.

[filmmusic29]

And for that matter, when you just accuse any film composer of borrowing from early 20th century composers, no matter how true it is.....you have to keep in mind that their music might be inspiring an entire new generation of people who will fall in love with early 20th century music when they would have otherwise not been exposed to it. Most parents without musical backgrounds don't just go to the store and pickup a recording of Shostakovich 5 for their kid.

[rock27863]

they should picl up Shostakovich 5...lol...its an amazing work....that and 10 are my favorites...

[MikeDunleavy17]

I agree up to a certain extent. If you listen to the beginning of Dvorak "form the new world" the 4th movement, it would seem that he stole the idea of the horn part at the beginning. But I must say that he also puts his own ideas into his music.

[Lyrand]

His powerful and inspiring music carries an unnecessarily light movie.

[thegoodgeneral]

Alright, I've looked all over my DVD's 2nd disk, and I can't find this bit!!

[LadyInDaHouse88]

he's the best. a genius!

[sneakyguy43]

you apparently know nothing about music. its stupid, ignorant people like you that bring williams and all his greatness down. Just because he writes music for movies doesnt mean he doesnt have talent. if you dont realize that then you truely know nothing about music

[organman52]

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[Thanos1919]

You are insane. I don't even have ANYTHING else to say than that. You are legally insane.

[organman52]

Exactly - telling the truth now characterizes a person as insane. I like your interpretation of the word.

I repeat - Mr. Williams doesn't have any original ideas, but rather, he 'borrows' from the early 20th-century.

Yes, that's insane.

[Namaps]

"I repeat - Mr. Williams doesn't have any original ideas, but rather, he 'borrows' from the early 20th-century."

Apparently a bunch of people don't realize that...

In any case, I wouldn't say that means that Williams is completely unoriginal or untalented.

Nearly everything Sam Spence ever wrote, for example, contained a reference to something else, or took it's theme from some folk tune, but the music of NFL Films is moving in a way much of its source material is not.

[TromboneConductor767]

I would in fact agree, not matter what they may claim every composer has "Borrowed" from every other previous composer, they may not realize it but it's true, It can sometimes be subconcious becuase it comes from the music you expose yourself to, it just comes out sometimes. And I would have to say that while williams borrows sometimes, as all composers do, he does have many original ideas.

[musicfans16]

What are you talking about? John Williams is brilliant and has written some of the most incredible film music of our time.. Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Amistad, Schindler's List, Memoirs of a Geisha, Jaws, Jurassic Park, E.T. .. the list goes on!

[organman52]

But it's ALL derived from early and middle 20th-century masters - therefore, it lacks originality. But those movies DO need a soundtrack, I suppose.

[StephaneGrappelli]

John William's - the best ever

[WarriorWolff]

Jhon Williams is a genius!

[CalgarSkull]

John Williams is the MASTER

[prayfertrey]

A beautiful love story. Yeah, that was original. They hadn't done that before. Had they Han and Leia? Han? Leia? Where'd they go?

[SgtCheeseNOLS]

But the entire thing about Episode II was to show the both of them becoming attracted to one another.

Han and Leah was almost a secondary, if not background portion of the other movies.

[prayfertrey]

And still managed to be more interesting to watch... probably because it seemed like real actors, who looked their parts, were in movies that felt like real movies.

[BrachioInGen]

Where is this available? I want to get a copy of this...

[SgtCheeseNOLS]

Here...on youtube...

I think its on the second disc for the movie, on DVD>

[BrachioInGen]

I tried that. Didn't find it.

[rufftone]

During 3:32 Mr. Williams talked to the French Horn players. But I don't get the difference in the two rehearsals. What does the second one makes it much better?

[CaseyJMack]

In the first take, some of the horn players played the second note long, and some of them played it slightly shorter. The second take has a clear space, or "lift", between the second and third note. This makes the passage much more clear. The second note is the long note that Mr. Williams is referring. The horn players agreed on the timing of the cutoff of the note. Also, they emphasized the beginning of the second note a little more the second time, adding to its importance.

[danyswa]

where did you get this great video

[ThePiano1991]

LOVE JOHN WILLIAMS! The best of the best!

Is it just me or does John Williams remind anyone else of Yoda at 3:30 lol

[perfectajo]

the second best director-composer collaboration there ever was or ever will be. below spielberg/williams and above hitchcock/hermamm

[celloguy]

The London Symphony Orchestra is one of the absolute best sight reading orchestras in the world (hence why they do so many film scores).

[nrc141]

i never knew that was their first time playing the particular song... that's talent

[macree01]

wait, that was their first time playing that song? They were basically sightreadiing?

[rochestas]

That's all movie music is, sightreading. There's hardly any rehearsal because it costs so much money to be in the studio and rent equipment.

[tonyzebologna]

Don't mean to be be an "ass", but this music is all easy. (well for advanced players)It's not like difficult old classical music. This has simple timings and ect.

[tiffanynicolega]

"advanced players" realize that the simplist of music is the most difficult to play. If you dont understand why.. your not there my friend.

[BrachioInGen]

which is why Williams records several takes of his cues... to make sure that he can get exactly what he wants...the nuance of the emotion from the orchestra.

[macree01]

Yes tonyzebologna, this particular song is easy , Im talking about the entire score. I dont care what anyone says, sight reading an entire score is fraking hard.

[thegoodgeneral]

Rochestas and Tonyzebologna> Mr. Williams has said the orchestra rehearses. For Star Wars, Mr. Williams has been quoted saying that they record about 15 minutes of music each day, over a period of about 2 weeks. They don't have concert rehearsals, but for tuning and timing considerations, they do rehearse all throughout the day and record all throughout as well.

Tiffanynicolega> I agree.

[molnarattila76]

Dream and reality ! :) It is a very interesting video. :)