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

John Williams (1932- ) - the composer not the guitarist - needs no introduction from me. This piece was commissioned by the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organising Committee. The Games themselves were compromised by the Soviet boycott, but this stirring piece deservedly lives on (rather in the same way as does music Richard Strauss wrote for the 1936 Berlin Olympics). This piano transcription appears in the 'John Wiliams Antholocy compilation (ISBN 723188617746), and does not lose too much of what is in the orchestral version to make it unviable. Williams' music seems to me a fascinating (and incredibly successful) blend of elements from Copland, Barber, Bernstein and Rachmaninov (and perhaps Prokofiev in pieces like the 'Parade of the Ewoks'). I hope that we in the UK come up with music of equivalent quality for the 2012 London games!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------------------------------- Played by Philiip Sear http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• classical
• ceremonial

[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!

[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,

[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!

[RediForKing]

At first I thought you really were John Williams.

[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!

[gwpritchrd]

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

[PSearPianist]

@Nemer828 Thank you.

[theepicprodigyman]

Cool!

[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).