[markrayen]

Thanks, Thor. Wonderful initiative to have this forum.

I thankfully got to see Williams live in May 2009 for the premiere of the viola concerto (Boston). I was right at the front, seated at a table directly in front of the podium. I clearly didn’t understand the etiquette at all, as I was severely underdressed fashioning a striped cotton sweater and brown jeans among all the galla dresses and tuxes. Although it wasn’t a great feeling realising my huge mistake, as Williams turned around to greet the audience during the first applause he suddenly stared right at me, surely noticing the red-and-grey-striped sweater. Similar thing happened in the parking lot as he looked around to say hello, as about 40 of us waited for the possibility of a short greeting and perhaps autograph signing. I like to think there is a hidden irony there, that the “disrespectfully” dressed lad actually emptied his student bank account and travelled across the Atlantic just to be there that one evening. The over-dressed people I shared table with actually complained they didn’t “recognise any of his tunes” as much of the program consisted of works like Jane Eyre, a brand new viola concerto, “Stargazers” based on the friendship theme of E.T., and other rarities (relatively speaking).

I’m actually glad I’ve never actually met him (or perhaps that what I keep telling myself to save me the disappointment?). A decade or so ago I was able to visit the lads at Jo Ann Kane Music Service, and quite freely roam their unbelievable library of scores and handwritten manuscripts. On a desk near the main entrance was a small table with a handwritten manuscript. I recognised Williams’ handwriting right away and the theme from Schindler’s List arranged for cello, instead of violin. That version is likely to be the one recorded with Yo Yo Ma and the NY Phil a few years ago. I asked about the manuscript and was told Williams had come by personally to drop it off only a few moments prior to my arrival. If I had been there I would likely not have been able to speak or do anything, and I’m not one to care much about a photo or autograph, so I feel its perfectly OK that it wasn’t meant to be!