Chicago Public Library-Blog: Top Picks: John Williams

Chicago IL

25 January, 2022

1:36 PM

Description

Press release from the Chicago Public Library-blog: Megan January 24, 2022 John Williams, a composer whose film scores many of you will be able to hum as you read this short biography, turns 90 on February 8. Williams was born into a musical family, as his father was Johnny Williams, a jazz player and percussionist who played in the Raymond Scott Quintette. Williams studied at Julliard and composed his first feature-film score in 1958. His work drew the attention of Steven Spielberg, and soon Williams's terrifying score to Jaws would largely contribute to the film's success. Williams has won 25 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globes. He has been nominated for 52 Academy Awards, making him the second-most nominated individual behind Walt Disney. Beyond the awards, his film scores are among the most popular and recognizable in cinematic history. Celebrate his long career with this list of top picks. Fans of the Harry Potter films will recognize the haunting melody, titled "Hedwig's Theme," composed by Williams for the opening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but the score for the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is largely considered to be Williams's greatest composition of the series. In this score, listeners can hear a twist on "Hedwig's Theme" as well as a MacBeth-inspired track called "Double Trouble." Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Original Motion Picture SoundtrackWilliams, John, 1932-Williams, John, 1932- Music CD, 2004Available View detailsView details for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Music CD, Available The score of Home Alone has greatly contributed to its continuing appeal for fans of holiday films, as Williams's music greatly elevates the score beyond traditional Christmas carols. Home AloneHome Alone Original Motion Picture SoundtrackWilliams, John, 1932-Williams, John, 1932- Music CD, 2015Available View detailsView details for Home Alone, Music CD, Available The score of the original Star Wars Trilogy may be his most successful; in 2005, The American Film Institute named this score the greatest film score of all time. This score is also noteworthy because of Williams's use of leitmotifs, a device often used by German composer Richard Wagner in which characters and environments are given their own unique melodies. Examples include tracks "Princess Leia's Theme" and "Yoda's Theme." Star Wars TrilogyStar Wars Trilogy A New Hope ; The Empire Strikes Back ; Return of the JediWilliams, John, 1932-Williams, John, 1932- Music CD, 2004Available View detailsView details for Star Wars Trilogy, Music CD, Available Want to listen to more of John Williams's music on the go? Check out Hoopla, our online resource for music, to find full soundtracks of some of Williams's most popular film scores including E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List. Are you a musician, or an aspiring musician? Check out one of these printed music titles for a new way to appreciate John Williams's music: Selected Themes From The Motion Picture Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone Selected Themes From the Motion Picture Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneSelected Themes From the Motion Picture Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Williams, John, 1932-Williams, John, 1932- Printed Music, 2001Available View detailsView details for Selected Themes From The Motion Picture Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, Printed Music, Available Jurassic Park / [composed By John Williams] Jurassic Park / [Composed by John Williams]Jurassic Park / [Composed by John Williams] Williams, John, 1932-Williams, John, 1932- Printed Music, 1993Available View detailsView details for Jurassic Park / [composed By John Williams], Printed Music, Available Do you have a favorite memory of hearing John Williams's film scores at the movies? Share in the comments below! This press release was produced by the Chicago Public Library-blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.