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John Williams

John Williams In Tokyo w/Saito Kinen Orchestra

Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: July 12, 2024

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1 Superman March - from “Superman”    
2 Hedwig’s Theme - from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”  
3 Fawkes the Phoenix - from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”  
4 Harry’s Wondrous World - from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”  
5 Theme from Schindler’s List - from “Schindler’s List”    
6 The Rebellion is Reborn - from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”  
7 Princess Leia’s Theme - from “Star Wars: A New Hope”  
8 Throne Room & Finale - from “Star Wars: A New Hope”  
9 Yoda's Theme - from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”  
10 Raiders March - from “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”  
11 The Imperial March - from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”  
12 Tributes! (for Seiji)  
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30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams returned for two special concerts – one in Matsumoto and one in Tokyo – marking his debut with the world-famous Saito Kinen Orchestra, with selections from his beloved film scores, and reuniting with his longtime friend, world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa. The second of these concerts was captured live on record at Suntory Hall last year and the resulting recording, John Williams In Tokyo, is set to be released by Deutsche Grammophon on 3 May, following his acclaimed concert albums, The Berlin Concert and John Williams in Vienna, which topped charts around the globe. The first single, ‘Superman March’ is out now along with a music video of the performance. The digital album is available for pre-order from today, with details of the physical editions to follow – including a deluxe limited edition vinyl box set to include Williams’ recordings from Vienna, Berlin, Boston and Tokyo for release later in the year.

It was a long-held dream of Seiji Ozawa’s to see John Williams and the Saito Kinen Orchestra perform together in Japan, so the performances – and their reunion last year – held great meaning for both artists.  Months in the planning, the announcement of this live recording was originally scheduled for the week of John Williams’ birthday (8 February). However, following the news of Seiji Ozawa ‘s passing, it was decided to announce the recording today after close discussion with his family and management.

Williams was invited to Japan by his good friend Ozawa to conduct the Saito Kinen Orchestra – Ozawa’s “musical family” – so the realisation of the two concerts in Matsumoto and Tokyo was a landmark moment – not only for the pair, but for music fans around the world. Ozawa said of the occasion: “This special collaboration between them in Matsumoto and Tokyo was a joy that genuinely defies expression – my longstanding dream has finally come true!” The feeling was reciprocated by John Williams: “It was a joy to return to Japan after 30 years to visit my dear friend and longtime musical colleague Seiji Ozawa and to conduct his brilliant Saito Kinen Orchestra for the very first time.”

Williams was a close friend of Ozawa ever since the latter was Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and took part in the Tanglewood Music Festival in western Massachusetts. As Ozawa recounted in January of this year, “I've consistently encouraged John to experience the unique essence of the Saito Kinen Orchestra, confident that he would love it”. Ozawa was in Matsumoto to witness the concert and was delighted to be reunited with his friend.

  • On 'In Tokyo,' John Williams draws crisp, exacting performances from Ozawa's Saito Kinen Orchestra / WILD MERCURY RHYTHM
    Posted At: September 6, 2024 12:00 AM
    WILD MERCURY RHYTHM writes……There is everything to celebrate about John Williams In Tokyo. At 92 years old, Williams stands in the twilight of a seven decade career that can only be described as producing the most significant body of film music existing and likely to exist. The composer has received five Academy Awards for Best Score for Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), E.T.: The E...
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  • Disney and the American Film Institute are celebrating John Williams in new documentary / DORKSIDE
    Posted At: August 28, 2024 12:00 AM
    FROM DORKSIDE……Daniel Becker writes….Try to imagine when Yoda lifts Luke Skywalker's X-wing out of the swap of Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back without the powerful music. The cue mixes Yoda's and the Force themes and shows Luke and the audience the power of belief. This scene and many others would not nearly pack as much of a punch, nor would any of Star Wars be remembered without the music of John Willi...
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  • Sometimes friends take it personally. 'The Fabelmans' - John Williams and Steven Spielberg / Los Angeles Times
    Posted At: February 27, 2023 12:00 AM
    “I found it amazing that he would want to reveal such personal aspects of his life so close to the bone and the soul,” composer John Williams says of working with Steven Spielberg on “The Fabelmans.”.Los Angeles Times TIM GREIVING writes …..Unlike the exhilarating flights of fancy and historical epics that Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams have dreamed together — from “Close Encounters of the Thir...
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  • Steven Spielberg accepts Golden Globe for 'The Fabelmans' / ET
    Posted At: January 12, 2023 12:00 AM
    ET's Stacy Lambe? and Mona Khalifeh? write…..The Fabelmans beat out Avatar: The Way of Water, Elvis, Tár and Top Gun: Maverick to take home the top prize during the 80th annual Golden Globes. The semi-autobiographical film co-written and directed by Steven Spielberg won the award for Best Motion Picture - Drama on Tuesday evening."I've got to bring my producers up, Christie and Tony, who produced this with ...
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  • John Williams says 'Indiana Jones 5' may be his final film / The West News
    Posted At: June 28, 2022 12:00 AM
    The West News writes…..John Williams, a composer, is renowned for penning some of the most recognisable and enduring film themes ever. The renowned musician recently revealed, though, that he might be prepared to retire soon.Williams has stated that the most recent instalment in the Indiana Jones series might be his last movie in an interview with the Associated Press. Williams is presently writing the scor...
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  • John Williams 90th birthday at Kennedy Center features Nat Sym., Ma, Mutter and Spielberg / The Washington Post
    Posted At: June 17, 2022 12:00 AM
    The 90-year-old composer is being honored June 23 at the Kennedy Center with a National Symphony Orchestra birthday bash featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Spielberg and Anne-Sophie Mutter.Perspective by The Washington Post - Michael Andor Brodeur…..No one would ever mistake me for a movie person. Sit me in front of the average blockbuster and I’m far more likely to get engrossed with the texture of my popcorn.This...
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  • Now at 90, John Williams to step away from film scoring to focus on concert works / The Violin Channel
    Posted At: February 14, 2022 12:00 AM
    The Violin Channel writes….The 90-year-old composer of several beloved film scores such as Harry Potter and Star Wars is now pursuing the writing of concert works. As reported by the New York Times, when film production and recording studios were forced to close due to the onset of COVID-19, John Williams was left with no movies to work on — a first for the composer in his almost 70-year career.However, as ...
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  • DG recording of John Williams, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra concert is exhilarating / LEDEVOIR
    Posted At: February 11, 2022 12:00 AM
    Two legends shared the stage this autumn – in a glorious debut, John Williams conducted the Berliner Philharmoniker for the very first time. John Williams – The Berlin Concert, captured live by Deutsche Grammophon during a series of sold-out concerts, presents some of the world’s best-known film music performed by one of the world’s greatest orchestras. The DG album is set for release on 4 February 202...
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  • John Williams - The Berlin Concert is the WFMT Featured New Release
    Posted At: February 8, 2022 12:00 AM
    Two legends shared the stage this autumn – in a glorious debut, John Williams conducted the Berliner Philharmoniker for the very first time. John Williams – The Berlin Concert, captured live by Deutsche Grammophon during a series of sold-out concerts, presents some of the world’s best-known film music performed by one of the world’s greatest orchestras. The DG album is set for release on 4 February 202...
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  • Scala Radio's 'John Williams Birthday Special' invites film composers to select their favourite Williams score
    Posted At: February 5, 2022 12:00 AM
    Scala Radio's David May & Mark Kermode write…..Legendary composer John Williams celebrates his 90th birthday on 8th February, having created some of the most memorable scores of all time, from Star Wars to E.T and Indiana Jones to Harry Potter, it's pretty hard to pick a favourite. But that's exactly what we've been asking you to do. For the past few weeks we've been inviting you to vote for your favour...
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  • Kennedy Center to host John Williams 90th birthday festival / The Violin Channel
    Posted At: January 20, 2022 12:00 AM
    Along with the National Symphony Orchestra, the festival will be hosted in celebration of the great American composer from June 22-24, 2022The Violin Channel writes…..John Williams has written some of the most recognizable film scores in history — including Star Wars, Jaws, Superman, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and Harry Potter.A five-time Academy Award winner and recipient of 25 GRAMMY ...
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  • The 10 Best films featuring scores by John Williams, according to Rotten Tomatoes / SCREEN RANT's
    Posted At: December 22, 2021 12:00 AM
    SCREEN RANT's SAMANTHA SAVERY writes….Composer John Williams has provided the score to some of cinema history's best films and most celebrated franchises. But which film reigns supreme?American composer John Williams has been a legendary force in filmmaking for decades, crafting some of the most recognizable film scores in the world. From his work in popular franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones to hi...
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  • John Williams in Vienna makes 'The NewsTrace: Best Classic Film Music Albums of 2020'
    Posted At: December 31, 2020 12:00 AM

    TheNewsTrace writes.....The pandemic could have cancelled dwell performances and moviegoing for many of 2020, however for film-music buffs, that simply meant extra time at dwelling listening to their favourite music, together with many releases of music by no means earlier than heard exterior their authentic cinematic contexts. "There may be nonetheless an unquenchable thirst for traditional scores, ...
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  • 'John Williams in Vienna' shows that the Hollywood veteran is not only the most influential film composer of all time but one with serious classical chops / LIMELIGHT
    Posted At: December 14, 2020 12:00 AM

    If film music is your thing a new album on the Yellow Label will get you breaking out the popcorn. This reviewer would normally reach for the DVD shelf rather than play a soundtrack, but the concert disc of John Williams in Vienna shows that the 88-year-old Hollywood veteran is not only the most influential film composer of all time but one with some serious classical chops. For his first European co...
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  • John Williams' magical night in Vienna is the WRTI: Classical Album of the Week
    Posted At: August 29, 2020 12:00 AM

    "Wow!" That word burst from John Williams' lips at the finish of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's performance of "The Imperial March." It was just one of the orchestra's jaw-dropping renditions of Williams' film music, with the composer on the Musikverein podium, during a concert that Williams called one of the greatest honors of his life. Our Classical Album of the Week, John Williams in Vienna, beau...
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  • 'John Williams in Vienna' has edgy, exciting and exhilarating music from blockbuster and iconic movies / THE CLASSIC REVIEW
    Posted At: August 25, 2020 12:00 AM

    This follows hard on the heels of the success of Deutsche Grammophon's previous John Williams album - "Across The Stars", with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. The previous album had a more soulful ambiance, featuring the theme from "Schindler's List" and "A Prayer For Peace" from "Munich." This new release has more edgy, exciting and exhilarating music from blockbuster and iconic movies. It's finely progra...
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  • Watch John Williams, Anne-Sophie Mutter concert of film favourites with the Vienna Philharmonic / CLASSIC fM
    Posted At: July 10, 2020 12:00 AM

    Cinematic legend John Williams made his historic debut with the Vienna Philharmonic earlier this year, conducting the orchestra in his most iconic scores in the world-famous Golden Hall of Vienna's Musikverein. Joining him on stage was virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter, who played some of the violin arrangements he had written specially for her, including the magical ‘Hedwig's Theme'. We also heard a...
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  • John Williams in Vienna is the WFMT: Featured New Release
    Posted At: June 11, 2020 12:00 AM

    John Williams has added to an already incredibly long list of achievements by making his conducting debut with the Vienna Philharmonic. Their two concerts at Vienna's Musikverein in January 2020 were the first performances he had ever conducted in continental Europe. Williams and the orchestra were joined on stage for much of the first half by Anne-Sophie Mutter, continuing an artistic partnership formed...
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  • Lucasfilm celebrates 40th anniversary of John Williams - Star Wars 'Empire Strikes Back' score / comicbook
    Posted At: February 1, 2020 12:00 AM

    John Williams is easily the most famous film composer in movie history, having scored classics such as Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Superman, Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and more. However, Williams is perhaps best known for his work on the Star Wars franchise. The composer has been working on the saga since its inception, and this month marks 40 years since he began work on the franc...
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  • Commissioned by CLASSIC fM - A Life in Music presents John Williams best known themes newly performed by LSO
    Posted At: August 29, 2018 12:00 AM

    This new collection from Decca, commissioned by the British radio station Classic FM, sees a few of the composer's best-known themes get new performances from the London Symphony Orchestra – who so famously recorded some of the composer's finest scores – under the baton of Gavin Greenaway.  While the track listing may be unadventurous – and there may be a shrug of the shoulders fro...
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  • John Williams' Tanglewood haunted house composition making world premiere / Associated Press
    Posted At: August 19, 2018 12:00 AM

    A new John Williams composition about a ghost said to have scared Leonard Bernstein is making its world premiere. "Highwood's Ghost, an Encounter for Harp, Cello, and Orchestra" will be performed Sunday at Tanglewood in Massachusetts, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The ghost haunts Highwood House, a building on the Tanglewood property. Many people have reported encounters with ...
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  • John Williams - A Life in Music, a fantastic product and highly recommended / StageandCinema
    Posted At: July 21, 2018 12:00 AM

    In a childhood home largely devoid of classical music, it was Walt Disney's Fantasia and film composer extraordinaire John Williams that got me hooked, as they say, on the classics. It was over forty years ago that Williams recorded Star Wars with the London Symphony Orchestra, which of course made me gnaw into all things LSO, which pushed me deeper into a world of classical music that has become a touch...
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  • stereophile July 4 weekend special: John Williams at the Movies
    Posted At: July 7, 2018 12:00 AM

    For a major, decidedly American change of pace from our usual fare of Prokofiev, Debussy, Xenakis, Berg, and Beethoven (for starters), let's lighten up with Reference Recordings' latest hybrid SACD, John Williams at the Movies? Also available as a 176.4/24 download-the format in which it was recorded and which I auditioned for this review-the performances by the Dallas Wind Band under Jerry Junki...
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  • Red River Radio - Regional Symphony Broadcast presents a 'Salute to John Williams'
    Posted At: July 4, 2018 12:00 AM

    This week on the Regional Symphony Broadcast the Shreveport Symphony presents a Salute to John Williams. Michael Butterman leads the orchestra. Revel in fantastic music by America's greatest living composer for film―the incomparable John Williams. With Star Wars, E.T., Jaws, Harry Potter and more, this broadcast promises to be a delight for all ages! DECCA GOLD's 'A Life in&nb...
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  • SYFYWIRE's Debate Club tackles John Williams 5 best movie scores
    Posted At: May 10, 2018 12:00 AM

    Welcome to Debate Club, where Tim Grierson and Will Leitch, the hosts of the Grierson & Leitch podcast, tackle the greatest arguments in pop culture. In this week's installment, we salute one of cinema's mightiest composers: five-time Oscar-winner John Williams. Narrowing down the man's best film scores is exceedingly, excruciatingly hard. He's been working steadily since the 196...
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  • John Williams to receive namesake award at BMI - Film, TV & Visual Media Awards / billboard
    Posted At: April 9, 2018 12:00 AM

    BMI will honor Academy Award-winning composer John Williams at the performing rights organization's 34 Annual Film, TV & Visual Media Awards by unveiling a special award bearing his name. The John Williams Award will be presented for the first time at the May 9 event in Beverly Hills with Williams as the inaugural recipient. It will not be handed out annually. "John Williams is unequivocally one ...
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  • John Williams, eager to reunite with Cleveland Orchestra, is set for Severance Hall debut / Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Posted At: April 6, 2018 12:00 AM

    Never mind that he's been everywhere and accomplished more than most could hope to achieve in several lifetimes. John Williams is still excited to make his Severance Hall debut this Sunday, April 8. A longtime friend of the Cleveland Orchestra, the legendary film composer and laureate director of the Boston Pops Orchestra, 86, said his upcoming visit to Cleveland feels extra special because it&#...
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  • Listen to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - score only featurette on Comicbook.com
    Posted At: March 18, 2018 12:00 AM

    Throughout all of the changes the Star Wars galaxy has gone through, from different trilogies of films from different directors, to the different characters that have taken center stage, there has been one constant throughout it all: John Williams. The legendary composer has been featured in every entry of the main saga, but Williams' score has yet to receive the recognition that it has for Star ...
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  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi includes music-only version / Pitchfork
    Posted At: March 15, 2018 12:00 AM

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi has been released today as a digital download in the U.S. It arrives in two weeks on Blu-ray. Director Rian Johnson revealed that one of the special features included in the release is a music-only version of the film. "This is the full movie, but with no dialogue, fx or backgrounds... just John [Williams'] score," he wrote. "I really wanted to put this out, it's really something...
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  • The origins of NBC's Olympic theme / NewscastStudio
    Posted At: February 15, 2018 12:00 AM

    The drums pound and the trumpets sound; the tempo matches the excitement and sense of comradery that is felt throughout the world. The NBC logo is adorned with the five Olympic Rings and everyone knows that the games are about to start. The epic orchestrated theme song has become synonymous with the Olympic games, but many people aren't fully aware of the composition's true origins. Some believe that it ...
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  • John Williams announces first live performance in the UK after 22 years / Evening Standard
    Posted At: February 15, 2018 12:00 AM

    Legendary Oscar-winning composer John Williams has announced a spectacular series of live orchestral screenings for 2018, which mark his first live performance in the UK for 22 years. The 86-year-old conductor will helm a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the venue's season of musical film screenings to celebrate his 60 year career. Williams has won four Academy Awards for Best Or...
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  • The original reviews of some of the finest film music ever written / GRAMOPHONE
    Posted At: February 7, 2018 12:00 AM

    John Williams has – remarkably – been nominated for an Academy Award more than 50 times. Everyone will have a favourite film score by Williams, and doubtless many of these will not be included here. Nonetheless, it is interesting to return to our original reviews of a few of Williams's most highly regarded scores, featuring music which has gone on to achieve a unique status in modern...
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  • The force is with John Williams on new 20 CD set / The Daily Mail
    Posted At: January 28, 2018 12:00 AM

    When Arthur Fiedler died in 1979 after almost 50 years at the helm of the legendary Boston Pops, the board had the inspired idea of asking John Williams to replace him.  Inspired because it wasn't at all obvious. Williams may have been, even then, a renowned film composer, but his conducting activities had been largely confined to Hollywood sound stages. Large public concerts were something entirely...
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  • Exploring the musical themes of - The Last Jedi / Film School Rejects
    Posted At: January 21, 2018 12:00 AM

    John Williams' score for ‘The Last Jedi' is as dynamic and different as the movie itself. "We are what they grow beyond" states a character in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and while that may strike true about masters and apprentices it doesn't apply to the absolute core of the saga – the music of John Williams. Despite this his score for the eighth instalment in the series has been somewhat divi...
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  • "Aside from George Lucas, nobody deserves more credit for Star Wars than John Williams," says Mark Hamill / Variety
    Posted At: January 11, 2018 12:00 AM

    "Aside from George Lucas, nobody deserves more credit for the success of ‘Star Wars' than John Williams," says Mark Hamill. It's a pretty bold statement from the actor who plays Luke Skywalker in five of the eight "Star Wars" movies, including a leading role in "The Last Jedi," now the biggest-grossing movie of 2017. But then, perhaps more than most actors, Hamill appreciates the role of music ...
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  • John Williams will compose the theme for Solo: A Star Wars Story / Vanity Fair
    Posted At: December 31, 2017 12:00 AM

    John Williams has been a Star Wars mainstay for years, having composed the iconic theme and the rest of the scores for every Star Wars movie, save for 2016's series-adjacent Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While he won't be responsible for the entire score, he'll be back in the maestro's seat once again for this summer's Solo: A Star Wars Story, for which he will compose the main theme. Williams himself an...
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