Best known for his iconic film scores, Williams has a catalogue of classical works, but said he always found the idea of writing a piano concerto too daunting.
That changed when he turned 90 — in 2022, he announced he would take on the challenge and began composing.
Made up of three movements and lasting approximately 30 minutes, the piece plays homage to the styles of by jazz greats Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson, and borrows a phrase from Phineas Newborn Jr. It was performed by pianist Emanuel Ax (for whom Williams wrote it in mind for), and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, at Tanglewood.
Despite recent health challenges, the maestro himself was there to witness the premiere.
Posted by voguediaries
7 Comments
he’s at an age where every time I see a headline about him, I sit down to prepare before opening this (truly a living legend)
i felt a fist through my stomach when i read his name, thankfully we got good news
A national treasure. No, a worldwide cultural treasure.
🫡 🖖 🫡
The theme for one of our marching band seasons was the music of John Williams. Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Far and Away, and ET. We would’ve done more, but we had a time limit. The man writes BANGERS.
oh my god the first part of that headline scared me
This man wrote the soundtrack to my youth. More than any pop star in any decade, the work of John Williams influenced my appreciation for orchestral music and deepened my enjoyment of dozens of films, television shows, and video games. He’s a living legend and a true treasure!
King 👑