John Williams Conductor+
Stéphane Denève Conductor++
Yo-Yo Ma Cello
Williams Just Down West Street … on the left+
Williams Cello Concerto+
Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme++
Williams Excerpts from The Book Thief++
Williams “Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra,” from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade++
Williams “Marion's Theme,” from Raiders of the Lost Ark++
Williams “The Raiders March,” from Raiders of the Lost Ark++
Williams “Princess Leia's Theme,” from Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra++
Williams “Adventures on Earth,” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial++
Program Notes
With an astonishing 25 GRAMMY® Awards (out of a staggering 73 nominations) and five Oscars, John Williams is one of the most prolific and beloved film composers of all time, with unforgettable scores including Jaws; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter films; Schindler’s List, and dozens more. But his talents go far beyond the movies.
In this one-night-only performance, Williams conducts a moving, memory-stirring selection of music from his films, and welcomes his long-time friend and 19-time GRAMMY winner Yo-Yo Ma for a performance of his Cello Concerto.
The Concerto transports the listener, from its opening theme “as effective an introduction to a character as the first five minutes of any Spielberg film” (The Washington Post) to its lyrical, poignant finale. It’s a rare opportunity to hear two towering artists who have shaped much of the musical world of the past half-century, on stage together in a joyful reunion!