John Williams: Olympic Fanfare and Theme (piano solo version)

[gwpritchrd]

WHY CAN'T I FIND THIS FOR THE ORGAN?! Is there anyway you could tell me where I could find a score? Mabey I could make an attempt to arrange this or something....

[PSearPianist]

@gwpritchrd I think it could sound amazing on a big church organ - but I would be surprised if anyone has arranged it!

[gwpritchrd]

@PSearPianist I can't believe someone has not! It would make an excellnt organ piece!

[danesandy]

where can I get this score?

[PSearPianist]

@danesandy It is published in various compilations of JW movie themes. Do a search on MusicRoom for the title,

[PSearPianist]

@Nemer828 Thank you.

[StillViolin]

Ésto es maravilloso! que alegría su interpretación... cerrando los ojos me siento en plenas Olimpiadas :) Nunca pensé oir una versión de piano solo en ésta obra. Gracias!

[PSearPianist]

@StillViolin Muchas gracias por tu amable comentario. Vamos a organizar los Juegos Olímpicos aquí en Reino Unido el próximo año, y espero poder ir a algunos eventos!

[theepicprodigyman]

Cool!

[FwShock]

Very very good! I have been trying to play this right for the longest time, and thanks to watching this, I realize I've missed some rhythms. I still think I've got a couple month's work ahead of me though!

[PSearPianist]

@FwShock Thank you. I'm glad my video was of some help to you, and wish you luck in your study of the piece (which, incidentally, had an airing at Vancouver in February).

[lucavdr]

Congratulations! Is very good to hear you play!

[PSearPianist]

@lucavdr Thank you!

[RediForKing]

At first I thought you really were John Williams.

[PSearPianist]

@RediForKing Well, I certainly wish I had achieved a fraction of what he has achieved!

[mbmaccin555555]

Nice playing

[PSearPianist]

@mbmaccin555555 Thank you. I note that the piece was used at the Vancouver Winter Olympics earlier this year.

[TheLastUgly]

Dang you're good! I hope I can play like you someday!

[PSearPianist]

That's very kind - keep working at your playing and I'm sure you could be better than me.

[samtheman5566]

I would like to say, that among other things, that is inspirational. As a pianist myself, I tend to sit for hours and browse through YouTube listening to people play, and so far, I've only found two channels that are good enough to subscribe to: Yours, and CalikoKat's. Keep up the incredible playing!

[PSearPianist]

That's really kind. I will have to check out CalikoKat! Incidentally this fanfare had quite a prominent role at the Vancouver closing ceremony the other day.

[TrumpetMaster1000]

@samtheman5566 hey you should also look up kylelandry. he is really good too!

[samtheman5566]

@TrumpetMaster1000 I'll do that! Thanks for the suggestion!

[DiecastOasis]

That was AMAZING

You are perfectly timed! This is my most played song on my iTunes, even before Vancouver.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you! This is a very good time to watch the video with an Olympics in progress. We in UK do not really do winter sports, so winning one gold medal at Vancouver - our first individual one for 30 years - was a big deal here.

[sarahatp]

This is fabulous, considering doing this as my final GCSE piece, but I won't be able to learn all of it, can you advise me where some natural breaks would be or what sections to leave out?

[PSearPianist]

Thank you! I can't really give any advice as I no longer have the score (borrowed from a library). This would be an unusual choice for GCSE - I think if it were me I would go for something more obviously pianistic!

[sarahatp]

Okay, thank you. Do you have any suggestions?

[PSearPianist]

I should have a look at the Edexcel difficulty book which has a huge list of pieces sorted by grade. I'm sure their gradings would be valid for any board. I will send you the link.

[FloridaLady94]

Wow! Great job :)

[PSearPianist]

Thank you. I hope something as good is written for London 2012!

[pirell]

wow this is my favourite tracks form john williams, and you did it very good justice. i wanna learn to play like that! i take it i also have to learn to read music as well?

[PSearPianist]

Thank you very much! Well, I certainly played it from music (it is in the 'John Williams Anthology' book) - but I guess that others might be able to play it by ear. In general, unless you want to stick to pop and jazz you will need to learn to read music.

[mtb1775]

is that john williams? i don't think so.

[PSearPianist]

The music is by John Williams (famous filmscore composer). Nothing to do with John Williams (guitarist) at all!

[megabrain3000]

Fantastic piano rendition of a great theme.

I must say though, that without the percussion and deeper brass themes that begin at 0:59, the middle portion seems a bit empty. The piece is no less beautiful, but some of the majesty is not present.

Still, magnificent rendition!

[PSearPianist]

Of course you are right. When I play this piece I always imagine the orchestra playing simultaneously so as a player I do not miss the orchestration. I guess the real challenge is to put this (or any orchestral transcription) over as a standalone piano piece to someone who has never heard it with orchestra.

[OrionAnomaly]

I would cite Wagner as a heavy fundamental influence as well no?

[PSearPianist]

That's an interesting thought. I went to Glyndebourne last month to see 'Tristan & Isolde' and looking back at that, the only passage that seems to me in any way presage John Williams is an extended sequence for offstage horns. However, there may be passages in the 'Ring' that are more relevant. No musician working in the 20th c can have been completely immune to the influence of Wagner.

[phantomfn8]

Great!!! I suggest using more sustain pedal to create a full ringing and lasting effect as if the orchestral pieces keep going. Other than that great!

[PSearPianist]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I guess that I have to strike a balance between continuation of sound and clarity of harmony, which is not always easy in transcriptions!

[ChuBecca92]

I Love this Piece. John Williams writes beautiful music, and u perfected it!!! Keep up the great work you sound amazing! XD

[PSearPianist]

Thanks for your very kind comment!

[WickedWordzz]

Fantastic! This is one of my favorite pieces of music (J. W. rules!), and you nailed it. Thanks so much for sharing.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you.! I really appreciate your comment, coming from someone who obviously knows the piece well in its 'proper' orchestral version.

[WickedWordzz]

Beautiful orchestral music is one of my great loves in life :) Thanks again!

[sk8ergirl4life13]

awesome job im 13 and i have to play that song in a recital and you have completely influenced me to pratice so i can be like you

Thanks alot :)

[PSearPianist]

That's an unusual choice for a recital, but if you are playing this version, I'm glad my video is of some use to you. Good luck with your performance!

[StillViolin]

Amo ésta pieza... y nunca había oído sino la versión original...  Ésto me ha sorprendido tanto! Ha interpretado a la orquesta entera!!! con su piano... y corazón!

[PSearPianist]

Gracias por su comentario amable. El pedazo es publicado para el solo de piano, aunque Clayderman lo realice con una orquesta!

[leal1968]

Linda homenagem !!! Muito Bonito, gostei muito.

[PSearPianist]

Obrigado pelo seu comentário muito gentil. Estou contente você gostou do vídeo!

[PuffoInformatico]

greeeeat!!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you!

[BoNeuhof]

nice

[PSearPianist]

Thank you!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you!

[Babejuda]

Is there in the UK a special competition for British composers espec. for the up-coming games?

Thanks for uploading, although I admit that the 'fanfar' does not suits well the piano.

[PSearPianist]

I have not heard about any competition - they will probably not want to take risks and use an established composer. They may well use a pop musician. I had to work hard to get the fanfare to sound on the piano - I imagine the trumpets as I play!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you!

[doubleshotnoice]

I worked for the LAOOC in 1984 - was a young buck back then. I haven't heard this for a long time so listening to this brought back a lot of great memories. Thank you.

[PSearPianist]

That is really interesting to hear. Apart from this fanfare, I remember the amazing performance at the operning ceremony of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with (I think) over 20 pianists playing on grand pianos spread around the stadium. I would love to know how that was organised.

[doubleshotnoice]

That, I do not know. But I would not be a bit surprised if the producers piped a prerecorded track of 84 pianists through the loudspeakers. After all, it was a big Hollywood event.

[PSearPianist]

It was indeed, and for me one of the most memorable TV experiences of the '80s!

[doubleshotnoice]

Agreed. Those two weeks were spectacular for me as well as many others around the globe. :)

[birdieluva1531]

cool i play piano myself..7years..i will eventually post me playing when i get time

[PSearPianist]

Thank you - do post a video of you playing.