[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!

[Thor Joachim Haga]

Jo Ann Kane Music Service sounds like a dream visit for musicians like yourself (with or without the Williams connection)!

That sweater moment is funny. I had a similar moment in 2014. Sitting close to the stage, giving him a thumbs up rather than applause at the end of the concert, which he saw and gave me a thumbs up back. That’s the closest interaction I will ever have. Like you, I waited outside the entrance before the concert, but it was total mayhem, and I have no interest in being a part of that fanboy insanity. But I did snap this funny picture from a distance, which you’ve probably seen on Facebook:

[markrayen]

Lovely picture! Although while you had a “thumbs up” moment I’m pretty confident mine was the equivalent of a thumbs down. Or as I was thinking at the time; a signal to the ushers to “get this guy outta here”.

[bigjimwilson]

Hey everybody 🙂

It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that my best concert experience was Williams in Vienna in 2020. Right before the world ended.

I’d really class it as the best weekend of my life. After the disappointment of 2018 and the LSO concert, I thought any chance to see JW had passed me by, so I was elated when I managed to get tickets to the first night. It was while we were there that my girlfriend suggested I get on the wait list for returned tickets for the Sunday morning too, since she had an earlier flight home than me so we only needed one ticket. That worked out a treat! So from assuming I’d never see him, I saw him twice that weekend. And Vienna itself was just so magical. There was some snow as we were walking to the venue, and everything was just perfect. I was so grateful to go twice, as the first one was so overwhelming I could barely focus.

I’ve since seen him in Berlin, (Sat not too far from our excellent friend Thor) and also Milan. Next month in Berlin was to be concert No. 5, but obviously plans have changed. It will still be a brilliant weekend though. I can’t wait.

I’ve also just got my ticket for “John Williams Reimagined” in London. That should be really special.

As for any other film music concerts…. I’ve been fortunate enough to see David Arnold a few times. He’s always full of great stories. And I saw a whole bunch of Elfman concerts more recently. The Burton/Elfman concert in London and then the percussion concerto and also Wunderkammer in Liverpool. Those were really special, and I got to meet him briefly too. He said “hey…. aren’t you that guy from the John Williams Vienna DVD?….” 😀

[Thor Joachim Haga]

I envy you Vienna/Williams, Jim, as I do everyone who went there. I had a relatively cheap “standing ticket”, but had to cancel for financial reasons. But Berlin in 2021 was great — love that beer pub we went to.

[bigjimwilson]

That was such a great bar! I would have happily spent the whole weekend sat in there 😀 (Apart from the concert of course)

[Forfatter]

Innlegg