John Williams Conducts "Imperial March" at 90 Years Old | National Symphony Orchestra

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  • čas přidán 7. 02. 2023
  • Film composer and Kennedy Center Honoree John Williams is persuaded to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra in a memorable performance of his "Imperial March" from Star Wars during a gala to celebrate his 90th Birthday.
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    #johnwilliams #starwars #nationalsymphonyorchestra
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Komentáře • 2,2K

  • @Jonathanclear
    @Jonathanclear Před rokem +7734

    When 90 years old you reach, look as good you will not, hmmm?

  • @alexvanpelt5119
    @alexvanpelt5119 Před rokem +4851

    A man of vigor, humility, and incomparable musical talent. You could see the rapture on his face as he conducted. The Force is strong with him.

    • @rithvikmuthyalapati9754
      @rithvikmuthyalapati9754 Před rokem +25

      "With muy muy humility" - Darth Bombad

    • @Jolene8
      @Jolene8 Před rokem +35

      He loves what he does. It's been his passion. I envy him ... To be able to live his dream. 😢

    • @emanuelenanetti5201
      @emanuelenanetti5201 Před rokem +20

      Exactly my feeling too! I could see the Force flowing, he was one with the music.

    • @cheetahman515
      @cheetahman515 Před rokem +26

      He's probably very happy with how well the orchestra is playing HIS piece. Or the fact that he is conducting HIS piece again and all of the muscle memory is popping back up.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +4

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music

  • @seanclothier495
    @seanclothier495 Před 9 měsíci +1051

    Dude rolls in at 90yrs old and pops off the single most badass theme in movie history. LEGEND

    • @MichaelKingsfordGray
      @MichaelKingsfordGray Před 3 měsíci

      Why does a musical piece possess a substantially inferior rectum?

    • @ltjgambrose
      @ltjgambrose Před 2 měsíci +23

      "This is a little song I wrote back in the 70s"
      *Orchestra builds and builds, brass comes in, trumpets blast the Superman theme*

    • @jpboileau5473
      @jpboileau5473 Před 20 dny +1

      well. he DID write it you know! :)

  • @user-eq2ft1hz5c
    @user-eq2ft1hz5c Před 11 měsíci +2108

    How many of these world-class musicians in the orchestra just experienced the childhood dream of playing the Imperial March for John Williams? Amazing!

    • @markharold2732
      @markharold2732 Před 9 měsíci +25

      Hello 👋

    • @schumi246
      @schumi246 Před 7 měsíci +42

      This, duel of the fates, Jurassic park, or hedwig’s theme. Just a few of his main themes from recent years. I mean this IS 43 years old now, not so recent.

    • @silverjohn6037
      @silverjohn6037 Před 7 měsíci +13

      @@schumi246 Some things never get old. Like Korngold's work Williams captured the mood of adventure and supplemented it rather than trying to shoe horn in their own creation.

    • @user-gi8pk9uc7q
      @user-gi8pk9uc7q Před 7 měsíci +7

      a dream come true, no doubt about it!

    • @MeMawx2
      @MeMawx2 Před 6 měsíci +14

      Bet they were thinking how glad they are now that their Mom's and Dad's made them practice so much on their instruments when they were younger. Paid off big time !

  • @mackenzie1555
    @mackenzie1555 Před rokem +2946

    You can tell when he’s conducting that the years just melt away.

    • @abramquinn7726
      @abramquinn7726 Před rokem +35

      ABSOLUTELY!

    • @m.layfette6249
      @m.layfette6249 Před rokem +42

      The man is Beyond Legendary. He could conduct that piece (and countless others) in his sleep. John Williams created the theme music for generation, after generation, after generation, after generation. 🎼💜

    • @masonherriott1684
      @masonherriott1684 Před rokem +4

      Just thinking that!

    • @kentd4762
      @kentd4762 Před rokem +13

      So true. He was instantly in his element!

    • @hoosier3060
      @hoosier3060 Před rokem +25

      Music has kept his brain and his soul sharp. There’s a real spiritual force in music.

  • @heatchills4093
    @heatchills4093 Před rokem +2066

    Anyone else love the fact that Williams - while he shows his age initially - immediately reverts to being the powerful maestro the instant the baton is placed in his hand?

    • @BennyLlama39
      @BennyLlama39 Před rokem +148

      Almost like Yoda taking on Dooku in Attack of the Clones. 🙂

    • @EdelUreta
      @EdelUreta Před rokem +65

      Strong is the force within John Williams

    • @jedijones
      @jedijones Před rokem +26

      @@BennyLlama39 I was just going to say that. 😂 Also, Miyagi kicking the Cobra Kai's ass in the first Karate Kid.

    • @eriklagergren7124
      @eriklagergren7124 Před rokem +18

      His deception is at maxed

    • @o_s-24
      @o_s-24 Před rokem +1

      ​@@EdelUreta exactly

  • @Hardcover_Pilot
    @Hardcover_Pilot Před 3 měsíci +445

    Steven Spielberg said it best at John Williams' AFI Lifetime Achievement ceremony. "Without John Williams, bikes don't fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force. Dinosaurs do not walk the earth. We do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe."

  • @IturaldeRodel
    @IturaldeRodel Před 9 měsíci +1254

    Even after all these decades, it isn't the producers or CEOs we remember... it's these artists, writers, musicians... They deserve recognition and a fair recompense for their efforts.

    • @Stevel-ge2xw
      @Stevel-ge2xw Před 8 měsíci +2

      Well said

    • @darkprose
      @darkprose Před 6 měsíci

      Right, thanks. We can’t enjoy anything now without being critical of some perceived economical or political or cultural grievance. Just shut up. Jesus Christ, just shut up. Jesus.

    • @FabioKn
      @FabioKn Před 5 měsíci +10

      Yes, no one remembers George Lucas. Totally unknown.

    • @IturaldeRodel
      @IturaldeRodel Před 5 měsíci

      @@FabioKn George Lucas... you mean the writer of Star Wars? Fkn numpty, you...

    • @cbracing366
      @cbracing366 Před 5 měsíci +26

      @@FabioKnhe wrote Star Wars… name a producer of any Star Wars film of the top of your head

  • @chazparker3657
    @chazparker3657 Před rokem +1993

    Without the music of John Williams, Star Wars would be just another fantasy B movie. His score elevates the story to galactic-sized entertainment. The Imperial March, Darth Vader’s Theme, brings so much joy and excitement to an audience. That we revel in the theme for the villain is testament to John Williams’ talent and genius as a composer.

    • @regroberts325
      @regroberts325 Před rokem +64

      plus the Imperial March is the ringtone i have against my wife's phone number !!!!!!

    • @donnieparris4684
      @donnieparris4684 Před rokem +84

      King of the leitmotifs. Think of Indiana Jones, what do you hear? Think of any shark, what do you hear? John Williams is one of the most important figures in Hollywood history.

    • @armadillerff
      @armadillerff Před rokem +29

      @@donnieparris4684You’re so right. Able to strike fear and ruin the tourism business at seaside towns with literally just TWO NOTES!! The story of Jaws is mediocre but the difference between the sharks on Shark Week and Jaws is the theme music. And Darth Vader would not be anywhere as near intimidating without his Imperial March.

    • @kevinlane7555
      @kevinlane7555 Před rokem +21

      Well, Star Wars is a pretty great movie and would have succeeded with a lesser score in my opinion, but it's certainly true that Mr. Williams music raised the level and has become almost universally iconic in a way that few movie scores ever have....or will

    • @chukwudiilozue9171
      @chukwudiilozue9171 Před rokem +9

      @@donnieparris4684 Hell, even NBC uses him for news and the olympics every day. His music is embedded in so much.

  • @donaldcase491
    @donaldcase491 Před rokem +2124

    We saw him conduct at the Hollywood Bowl last September, 2022. He is still amazing at 90 years old. He gave us 4 encores that night.

    • @dzel70
      @dzel70 Před rokem +64

      He's 91 today 🎉

    • @YolandaAnneBrown95726
      @YolandaAnneBrown95726 Před rokem +13

      I saw him there in 2017. It was so wonderful!

    • @dmk941
      @dmk941 Před rokem +21

      Saw him two nights ago with the San Francisco Symphony and Anne-Sophie Mutter. Three encores including a gut-wrenching Schindler's List played by Mutter.

    • @deepfryerhouse6885
      @deepfryerhouse6885 Před rokem +6

      I was there!!! Great set

    • @nickl2854
      @nickl2854 Před rokem +4

      I was probably also at that show! It was wonderful!

  • @Pendragon667
    @Pendragon667 Před rokem +936

    He loves what he's doing you can see it.
    Even with 90 years and having heard the piece countless times he still enjoys conducting the orchestra.
    The way he half-jokingly tries to silence the audience, the way his face lit up and the big, genuine smile... how can you not love that man?

    • @edgaraquino2324
      @edgaraquino2324 Před 11 měsíci +24

      Well, who can blame him? He is not feeling his best, but now he feels all that love coming at from the crowd, the people on stage, the musicians (who are striking their instruments in approval, a high honor & they haven't started yet) & he is like a Wright-Cyclone turning over, until the orchestra starts & W explodes into life conducting his composition, spry as a young buck, seeing the reaction of the musicians, the roar of his fans behind him, who would not have tears of joy running down their cheeks at a moment like this? I am & this is not about me....

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 Před 5 měsíci

      It's great we have these videos. A tip of the hat to all the inventors and developers in sound and visual recording and to the engineers who preserve such moments to be enjoyed for times to come.

    • @JP_TaVeryMuch
      @JP_TaVeryMuch Před 4 měsíci

      Well I'm pleased for him and grateful for his inimitable style of cinematic composition.
      I too loved the cheeky smile that he couldn't have stopped from breaking out if he'd wanted to.
      Ninety years old, still gamely conduct~ahem~ing this fan favourite pot boiler of a craftily, no, craftsmanly cobbled together collection of "samples" from the great composers of yore. Co-conspiratorialy carried aloft by a crew of men and women who would do anything for him this night and with the added bonus that he knows that the performing rights society will be popping some more moulah into his bank account in the morning to boot!
      Good on the ol' geezer. Why the bloody hell not‽

    • @honorguardsfencingclub7322
      @honorguardsfencingclub7322 Před 3 měsíci

      Yes, he's heard it countless times... because he wrote it...

  • @momofthemaos
    @momofthemaos Před 6 měsíci +372

    When Mr. Williams becomes one with the Force, we will miss his talent, creativity and passion.

    • @rothbd
      @rothbd Před 6 měsíci +22

      He can't become one with what he himself veritably created...
      John William's music *is* the Force of Star Wars.

    • @MichaelKingsfordGray
      @MichaelKingsfordGray Před 3 měsíci +3

      These are not the scores you are looking for...

    • @JoshuaRWorkman
      @JoshuaRWorkman Před 2 měsíci +1

      While true, he will leave behind what he gave us for us to remember him for the rest of our own days.

    • @porterquartion
      @porterquartion Před měsícem +1

      He already is.

    • @aw5347
      @aw5347 Před 6 dny

      I dread the day that comes...

  • @embott1
    @embott1 Před rokem +256

    I mean, when a piece is recognizable within the first bar, and the entire place erupts in cheers and applause FORTY years after it was written, that’s what you call brilliant. Bravo maestro.

  • @joemedley195
    @joemedley195 Před 16 dny +6

    I was 7 when Star Wars came out. When I learned a few years later that “Star Wars”, “Close Encounters”, “Jaws”, “Superman”, “ET” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” all had music by the same guy, I think my head exploded.

  • @TheTaiylorWallace
    @TheTaiylorWallace Před rokem +187

    I think he went from 90 to 50 before my eyes. So much energy and precision!

    • @katho8472
      @katho8472 Před 11 měsíci +16

      Indeed! And not just giving time but giving SO. MANY. CUES. I doubt any of the musicians really *need* cueing for such a piece, but thats just such a courtesy to give them so much "help".

  • @etekambaasanansi900
    @etekambaasanansi900 Před rokem +113

    Most people might not understand what a LEGEND John Williams is. He is the epitome of music theme songs and sound for decades in Hollywood. From Star wars to Jaws, Indiana Jones, Schindlers List, Superman, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and much more. Thank you for all the memories from my childhood to adulthood. Happy 90th birthday to you sir !!!

  • @johnnytheyoungmaestro
    @johnnytheyoungmaestro Před rokem +862

    It's so extraordinary to see him conducting at 90. He just turned 91 a couple days ago, and still kicking strong. John Williams will forever go down as one of the most amazing composers whose lives we have gotten to live through ourselves. Fantastic performance, and I love the enthusiasm that he has. I loved how he greeted some of the people he knew for the longest time on that stage before he began the performance. Bravo, Maestro Williams! :)

    • @karinwetzel1773
      @karinwetzel1773 Před rokem +6

      And the musicians gave their best to him, too. Yet another inspiring collaboration!

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +1

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music

    • @dankrebs4764
      @dankrebs4764 Před rokem +7

      ​@@davidwilks4123 could you possibly sound any more snobbish?

    • @janel342
      @janel342 Před 10 měsíci +2

      @@davidwilks4123
      That says more about you
      than it says about them.
      Maybe a good idea to read about ‘Projection’. ?

    • @Historymaker-xw9wf
      @Historymaker-xw9wf Před 6 dny

      @@davidwilks4123 Or maybe they realized that in order for any style of music to stay fresh, such as orchestral (which includes classical), it needs infusions of new material from time to time, and that any music that achieves any sort of modern success can be considered "popular" or "pop" music?

  • @barricade8957
    @barricade8957 Před rokem +351

    I think he's the only composer whom, during a standing & roaring ovation in his name, can silence a crowd in less than a heartbeat, with a single finger raised in the 'shhh' gesture and a solitary wave of his hand. Because they KNOW whatever happens next, they will want to hear. every. single. note.

  • @johnhoblock5872
    @johnhoblock5872 Před 3 měsíci +28

    For those of us who grew during Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc., this gentleman was our Mozart.

  • @Kellhound32
    @Kellhound32 Před 11 měsíci +232

    The man is INCOMPARABLE. A national treasure of which there will never be another.

    • @markharold2732
      @markharold2732 Před 9 měsíci +1

      Hello 👋

    • @mareky1234
      @mareky1234 Před 9 měsíci +5

      International treasure!!

    • @weaponizedglitter69
      @weaponizedglitter69 Před 8 měsíci +4

      International treasure

    • @poiujnbvcxdswq
      @poiujnbvcxdswq Před 4 měsíci

      Not really, some of his work is quite good, a lot of it has been "borrowed" from older composers. Undoubtably someone else will pop up and continue re-hashing older music that current generations have forgotten and be hailed as a musical genius, for others work.

    • @jadav1987
      @jadav1987 Před měsícem

      Quite good? I'm sure you could do better...

  • @QuentinStephens
    @QuentinStephens Před rokem +578

    John Williams' music will be played for centuries. He is one of the pre-eminent composers of the 20th century.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +3

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @kallemetsahalme5701
      @kallemetsahalme5701 Před rokem +24

      yea and also bach, mozart, tsaikovski and the others spent their career making trash music for mediocre theatre plays and concerts for cattle to listen to... if you wanna think it like that.

    • @filanfyretracker
      @filanfyretracker Před rokem +13

      @@kallemetsahalme5701 This, when what we call the great classical composers today were composing they were producing an entertainment product for money.

    • @jscho8674
      @jscho8674 Před rokem +15

      ​@@davidwilks4123Did you really have to copy and paste the same comment over and over and over? You have way too much time on your hands. 😂

    • @paulmichaelfreedman8334
      @paulmichaelfreedman8334 Před rokem +8

      @@davidwilks4123 Nice and salty, I suppose your wife hasn't let you in for a while. You do realize that same guy wrote the music?

  • @jasonflay8818
    @jasonflay8818 Před rokem +597

    I love how the brass was looking at the sheets as if they haven't memorized this by heart since they were 12! It is amazing watching this it had to be surreal playing this with John Williams conducting. What a Legend.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +3

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @jasonflay8818
      @jasonflay8818 Před rokem +133

      @@davidwilks4123 aren't you full of yourself. Remember, Bach, Beethoven, and Vivaldi were all considered pop music in their day.

    • @AregPone
      @AregPone Před rokem +27

      As a former brass player, I can confirm this statement as truth 101. 😆

    • @VVardaddy
      @VVardaddy Před rokem +6

      @@davidwilks4123 lol

    • @oneaburns
      @oneaburns Před rokem

      @@davidwilks4123 You’re a pompous, joy-sucking, curmudgeon who impresses no one with your obviously self-serving critiques. “Mmm, look how cultured I ammm 🧐”

  • @jankrolak
    @jankrolak Před 4 měsíci +56

    1:10 the joy in his face, when everyone starts cheering🥹😍

  • @joeaardvark9214
    @joeaardvark9214 Před 3 měsíci +28

    They are playing so hard too. They're putting everything they have into this piece for him. Amazing.

  • @katherinewelling6026
    @katherinewelling6026 Před rokem +453

    The joy on his face! The joy I’m feeling watching this! ❤️❤️❤️

    • @AndyRoidEU
      @AndyRoidEU Před rokem +5

      03:02 and onward

    • @MC-810
      @MC-810 Před rokem +3

      I’ve seen him at Symphony Hall in Boston several times and the joy on his face every time he conducts in front of an audience is so genuine.

  • @userSchlonsch
    @userSchlonsch Před rokem +307

    There is certainly an argument to be made that John Williams is one of the most influential composers in history. He will definitely be one of the most loved and remembered.

    • @iz7828
      @iz7828 Před 11 měsíci +1

      For stealing others...

    • @kegginstructure
      @kegginstructure Před 10 měsíci +25

      @@iz7828 - Many of the modern composers use themes inspired by classics. Danny Elfman's Batman themes (Michael Keaton version) were inspired from Strauss works. To accuse John Williams of outright stealing is unwarranted. AND in this world where everyone sues everyone else over any excuse possible, you have to know that if ANYONE had a decent case for plagiarism, they would have sued his butt off at their first opportunity. So @iz7828, I believe you are either simply incorrect or you are ignorant of the way that composers work.

    • @curious968
      @curious968 Před 10 měsíci +7

      I believe that movie themes are going to turn out to be what classical music of the late 20th century actually is. The official avant guard never stopped being avant.
      Actual classical audiences want to hear this, not that atonal stuff.

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@iz7828 He can borrow all he wants. I don't give c___ . He makes others' ideas fun.

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 Před 10 měsíci +7

      @@curious968 Many greats, in their time, wrote operas. Would Mozart write for films today? Methinks probably.

  • @supersonyman
    @supersonyman Před 9 měsíci +44

    He single handily made me fall in love with the French horn.
    Just raw, natural, talent.

    • @robertecarpenter
      @robertecarpenter Před 4 měsíci +1

      Well, Yeah!!!
      Those horns at 3:35 are awesome.
      no other instrument has that thick of a tone.
      I think these are the best horns I ever heard.
      Rob

  • @TonyKimtheamusementparkfan

    Just seeing him conduct at 90 years old is remarkable~ You can see the joy on his face when he was conducting his own masterpiece of a soundtrack. John Williams' film scores just make an ordinary film elevated to the next level. I mean Superman, Star Wars, E.T, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, Jaws, the list just goes on.

  • @NotSosigRamsey
    @NotSosigRamsey Před rokem +41

    1:54 you can clearly see the winds thinking... holy crap we're actually playing this with John freaking Williams

    • @maxborg1627
      @maxborg1627 Před rokem +8

      Three years ago, when he did a full concert with the Vienna Philharmonic, he initially omitted the March from the track list because it’s always the encore and he thought it would be too much for the brass section after all the previous pieces. The head of the brass section told him “No, you don’t understand: we *want* to play it!”

    • @NotSosigRamsey
      @NotSosigRamsey Před rokem

      @@maxborg1627 Yes it's amazing!
      I that recording and interview, :D

  • @awmperry
    @awmperry Před rokem +201

    That’s a masterclass in conducting - no histrionics, just a conductor who’s extremely comfortable doing what he does with a piece he knows inside and out.

  • @adammullarkey4996
    @adammullarkey4996 Před 10 měsíci +101

    Even someone who has never heard of John Williams, someone who hasn't even heard any of his music, would know how good he is just from the way he silences the crowd with a single wave of his baton. A true master.

    • @jonp2338
      @jonp2338 Před 7 měsíci +5

      youve def heard his music if youre over the age 1 dude

  • @pennybaker6454
    @pennybaker6454 Před 3 měsíci +6

    John Williams is, without doubt, a National Treasure. Thank you Maestro!!!!❤

  • @petzoogreg8624
    @petzoogreg8624 Před rokem +166

    Just yesterday, Feb 9, 2023, an episode of Wagon Train from 1958 titled 'The Jenny Tannen Story' aired on our local classic TV network. It was a real honest-to-goodness jaw dropper in the closing credits to see the music for the episode was composed by - wait for it - a 26-year-old Johnny Williams!!

    • @1mctous
      @1mctous Před rokem +9

      Williams was Vic Damone's rehearsal pianist in that era.

    • @morganfisherart
      @morganfisherart Před rokem +2

      Here's a song from that show! czcams.com/video/-T77ZCsVfbM/video.html

    • @jedijones
      @jedijones Před rokem +1

      I think TV composer credits aren't always super-accurate from that era. I remember reading there are some issues with how he's credited on Gilligan's Island. He may have composed some background music early on, that was then reworked by other composers on later episodes, but still retained the credit.

    • @jb6712
      @jb6712 Před rokem +2

      Yep, my 70 y.o. jaw just dropped that you think it's hard to believe the man could have been a composer at the young age of 26.

    • @morganfisherart
      @morganfisherart Před rokem

      @@jb6712 Right! I mean hello - how old were The Beatles?!?

  • @andyny29
    @andyny29 Před rokem +216

    John Williams contribution to the enormous success of Star Wars is incalculable. I remember buying the original soundtrack album in ‘77 and listening to it over and over. Bless you Mr. Williams.

    • @nunyabiznez6381
      @nunyabiznez6381 Před rokem +16

      I bought two by mistake. The price tags on the wrappers got snagged and I didn't know until I got home that I had two of them even though they charged me for one. So I thought to myself "what am I going to do with TWO of them?" So I took one and put it in a box of old records from the big band era and the other I opened up and played, and played, and played. I was 17. That box ended up in my Mom's bedroom closet. When she moved it ended up in her new bedroom closet. When she died I got it back having forgotten all about it. So it went to my bedroom closet. Then two years ago I finally decided to clean my bedroom closet and there it was, unopened all these years. I'd lost it's twin having worn it out. I played it so much the stylus was poking out the other side of the grooves. By then I'd switched to CDs long ago. Then I was at the store and they had a Crowley record player so I bought it just so I could play all those old records. Hearing that Star Wars music on vinyl again after 44 years, magic.

    • @karinwetzel1773
      @karinwetzel1773 Před rokem +1

      My parents were certainly tired of hearing it. I was not. Yep, the vinyl version! Went with me to university and beyond!

    • @mountainmantesla4395
      @mountainmantesla4395 Před rokem +1

      It was the first album I ever owned. Before home video, we listened to this over and over and our imaginations soared.

    • @catherinesanchez1185
      @catherinesanchez1185 Před rokem +1

      @@nunyabiznez6381 you posted this a couple months ago, but still a great story!! I had this on 8TRACK!! LOL! The music was a huge part of the sucess of these movies. I don't think they would have lasted this long without the music.

    • @nunyabiznez6381
      @nunyabiznez6381 Před rokem

      @@catherinesanchez1185 I totally agree. I think 8 track was at the peak of it's popularity when Star Wars first came out and I remember seeing the 8 track for this for sale in a department store circa late 1970's. I never had 8 track. I skipped over it going directly from record albums and 45's to digital. You could still buy vinyls when they first came out with CD's.

  • @joev816
    @joev816 Před 4 měsíci +12

    That's the baddest 90 year old we have ever seen. The force IS strong with him, he will Never be forgotten.

  • @hamsterdiving7593
    @hamsterdiving7593 Před 7 měsíci +56

    I can imagine some of those musicians in the orchestra went to see the movie the first time in the late 70s as kids -- what an honor and a thrill to be playing the music conducted by the maestro himself, decades later... ✨️✨️✨️

    • @mikethomas6187
      @mikethomas6187 Před 6 měsíci +3

      Beautiful thought

    • @Halinspark
      @Halinspark Před 4 měsíci +1

      Hell, some of those musicians may have seen one of the movies in theaters for the first time in the late 90's. That's how I saw Return of the Jedi.

    • @tannerbogart
      @tannerbogart Před 3 měsíci

      Return of the Jedi came out in 1983@@Halinspark

    • @alexmartinez5859
      @alexmartinez5859 Před 2 měsíci

      ⁠@@tannerbogart Well, The Phantom Menace was released in ‘99, but Lucasfilm likely asked for a theatrical rerelease before the Prequels came out, so as to get people’s minds fresh. Heck they even released a box of VHS tapes that, in my opinion, are one of the best versions of the Original Trilogy.

  • @krzy6886
    @krzy6886 Před rokem +7

    I have a grandfather who is 90 who can barely move without a walker, how does Williams have such vigor? Amazing.

  • @marticosta
    @marticosta Před rokem +656

    The amazing thing is he's not just giving time, he's actually correcting the orchestra and taking it seriously 😳

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +10

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @stephaniegittinger7980
      @stephaniegittinger7980 Před rokem +103

      ​​snobby much? I bet you've seen this movie a dozen times

    • @jackschleich9475
      @jackschleich9475 Před rokem +84

      he composed it. He'll never forget what he wanted it to sound like.

    • @poppyland74
      @poppyland74 Před rokem +60

      @@davidwilks4123 Sure........... they all looked mightily pissed????????? LOLS!

    • @jackgray2217
      @jackgray2217 Před rokem +75

      @@davidwilks4123 Turns out plenty of professional musicians don't suck and hate fun

  • @jxff2000
    @jxff2000 Před hodinou

    you know you’re a legend when you start playing your most famous piece and the crowd goes nuts. mad props to maestro williams.

  • @Gatotsu2009
    @Gatotsu2009 Před rokem +22

    What I love most about this video is how ALL the musicians eyes lit up when they realize John Williams is going to baton them, just amazing.

  • @sleepinggorilla
    @sleepinggorilla Před rokem +29

    I overheard this conversation once. A guy bought tickets to see John Williams, but the girl did not know who he was and thought it would be boring. He ended up choosing John Williams over her.

  • @blackfalcon1324
    @blackfalcon1324 Před rokem +6

    he looks great for 90.

  • @joycegibbs5267
    @joycegibbs5267 Před 6 měsíci +22

    I shouldn't say this but I dread every day thinking they'll announce this utter genius's passing. Stay with us John, one of the last truely pure human beings left in this hideous world 😥🥺

    • @markhoward408
      @markhoward408 Před 5 měsíci +2

      I was genuinely just thinking this. I'm 48 and Carrie Fisher's passing hit me hard, but this dude conducted the soundtrack to my entire childhood. I dread the day.

    • @red5158077
      @red5158077 Před 4 měsíci

      Same here. But it's not about the time we have but the time we've had together. His music will continue on no matter where he goes.

    • @aw5347
      @aw5347 Před 6 dny

      Amen to that...I dread the day😢😢😢

  • @joshuamulligan4155
    @joshuamulligan4155 Před 3 měsíci +6

    John Williams is one of the top composers of ALL-TIME. His works will transcend for centuries to come!

    • @mswritr
      @mswritr Před 3 měsíci +1

      The Star Wars complete trilogy soundtrack was one of the first things I ever saved money to by on CD at Best Buy! ❤❤

  • @dimitriyg4611
    @dimitriyg4611 Před rokem +83

    “No pressure” 😅
    Imagine playing a piece with the composer as your conductor, they manage to keep themselves composed so well

  • @KateRichardsonMP
    @KateRichardsonMP Před 5 měsíci +15

    Perhaps the most brilliant composer of our time. I remember laying awake at night listening to the first Harry Potter score when I was 11 years old. Having no idea at the time... all the previous work he has done... which included Home Alone; the first movie I ever saw in theaters at the age of two. He's shaped who I am, really. He has shaped how we as a whole not only look at movies, but music itself!! Bravo Mr. Williams, you will always have my ears and a piece of my heart.

    • @Donaliam
      @Donaliam Před 5 měsíci +1

      For me it was the E.T. soundtrack, the first movie I really remember seeing in the theater.

  • @user-gi8pk9uc7q
    @user-gi8pk9uc7q Před 7 měsíci +19

    One of the greatest movie score composers of all time!

  • @Brucefulness
    @Brucefulness Před rokem +110

    This man made all the movies we grew up with "come alive". We owe this man more than we can give him other than our respect

  • @buckeyenation1681
    @buckeyenation1681 Před rokem +36

    That song gets better and better everytime you listen to it

    • @dwightsmith2918
      @dwightsmith2918 Před rokem +4

      This word gets thrown around too much, but it is iconic.

  • @JeremiahSkywalker
    @JeremiahSkywalker Před rokem +48

    90 years old and he's still got it.
    Thank you SO MUCH, John for all the themes you've done.

  • @tofton1977
    @tofton1977 Před 2 měsíci +2

    Look at his face, he live his best life and had a blast!

  • @derjaeger3321
    @derjaeger3321 Před rokem +53

    He wrote the music of our times. Star Wars, Raiders, the Olympic Theme, and so much more, this should be known as the “Williams Era”

    • @user-uc7ec8pk9m
      @user-uc7ec8pk9m Před 11 měsíci +1

      Amen to that

    • @andresa1963
      @andresa1963 Před 11 měsíci +3

      And the best part ... we are alive to see him conducting his own music.. .ain't that something?

    • @watevawateva7343
      @watevawateva7343 Před 11 měsíci +1

      Jurassic Park

  • @ladykenobi7314
    @ladykenobi7314 Před rokem +72

    The force is strong with this one. Happy birthday John Williams. This will be a day long remembered.

  • @mikejohnson6022
    @mikejohnson6022 Před měsícem +2

    He’s clearly using the force flawlessly and his saber is legend…

  • @Sergeant26
    @Sergeant26 Před rokem +2

    This man had better live forever!!!

  • @kongmw
    @kongmw Před rokem +75

    Watching the legend conducting his own masterpiece just hits different ❤

    • @nunyabiznez6381
      @nunyabiznez6381 Před rokem +4

      This must be what it's like to hear Beethoven conduct the 5th symphony.

  • @LouMires
    @LouMires Před rokem +80

    There will never be another like John Williams. He created more than music for fantastical worlds. He added magic and sustained youth.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +1

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @filmkid8221
      @filmkid8221 Před rokem +5

      @@davidwilks4123 why do you hate fun? Why do you think that because something is popular, than professionals of that area hate it?

    • @BeachBear64
      @BeachBear64 Před rokem +1

      Why did you say it like he’s dead?

    • @LadyPii
      @LadyPii Před rokem +4

      ​@@davidwilks4123 my sister is a classical musician, who enjoys playing all genres 😄 did you know that many classical composers were the pop stars of their era, like the Strauss family?

    • @B-A-L
      @B-A-L Před rokem +3

      ​@@LadyPii Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the Frank Zappa of his day!

  • @critique7767
    @critique7767 Před měsícem +2

    The force is strong with John Williams

  • @RJSKYWALKER
    @RJSKYWALKER Před rokem +25

    What a beautiful thing it is to see the master lead the orchestra in playing his own masterpiece. What a privilege for those who were watching live.

  • @anakina1
    @anakina1 Před rokem +116

    His compositions are a soundtrack for so many lives. The Imperial March is a phenomenal piece of music.

  • @dirtyMopar
    @dirtyMopar Před rokem +99

    I had the honor of meeting him one day while working in Symphony Hall in Boston. Walked in a room and was talking with others when this man with his back me turns around and made a comment about what we were talking about. Took a few seconds to realize who he was. Saw him several times after that but the first time was the best and the whole conversation sticks in my mind despite being decades ago. Good to see him just as spry as he was back then.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +1

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @sr7129
      @sr7129 Před rokem +13

      @@davidwilks4123 Bro stop bein toxic on John Williams.

    • @carlward
      @carlward Před rokem

      ​@@davidwilks4123👈 Sexual Intellectual

    • @stephanelecreux6840
      @stephanelecreux6840 Před rokem +3

      @@davidwilks4123 Get a life.

    • @Judi7Caroler
      @Judi7Caroler Před rokem +1

      Those were the great ole Boston Symphony years, weren't they? (So. Brookline, Mass gal hailing now in So. California.)

  • @beberivera7011
    @beberivera7011 Před 6 dny

    The depth of conversation that this Maestro has with his orchestra is beautiful to watch.

  • @jacobdehaan4114
    @jacobdehaan4114 Před 3 měsíci +3

    I hope the musicians are deeply honored to have been in an orchestra conducted by John Williams

  • @JonathanLundkvist
    @JonathanLundkvist Před rokem +37

    I love how John Williams command such respect that any audience will quiet down in a second.

    • @featherineaugustusaurora3416
      @featherineaugustusaurora3416 Před rokem +3

      I mean,Every audience do that when conductor come to the stage,they clap when conductor come then in sudden quiet down when the pieces Will start and conductor taking the gesture

  • @teslasmercury2782
    @teslasmercury2782 Před rokem +13

    The cinema would not be the same without John Williams, God bless you for many more years,

  • @DerekWilliamsMusic
    @DerekWilliamsMusic Před 10 měsíci +15

    Brilliant, iconic piece, brilliantly played. So nice that Denève handed Williams the baton for this, and to see the photographic accuracy of Williams' recall. How wonderful it must have been for him to be free to compose classical music for movies, so memorable that in his lifetime they remain staples of the concert repertoire decades after their debut in cinemas.

  • @catladygoddess
    @catladygoddess Před rokem +160

    This just gave me goosebumps and some tears. I was the French horn player in the school band and I loved Star Wars and John Williams for the fantastic music I got to play!!

    • @marychocolatefairy
      @marychocolatefairy Před rokem +5

      I was in school band as well (clarinet) and it was a great treat to us when we were given a medley of John Williams songs to learn for the school concert. I remember it included the NBC Nightly News theme, the Imperial March, and the main themes from Jaws and ET.

    • @kellylaliberte548
      @kellylaliberte548 Před rokem +2

      One of my favorite songs to play during my school band days was the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme. So much fun!

    • @jscho8674
      @jscho8674 Před rokem +2

      My son is a French horn player, and the first thing he taught himself was the Imperial March, back in the day. I love John Williams!!

    • @ig88killer
      @ig88killer Před rokem +2

      As a French Horn player in grade school and college, can confirm the exact same feelings. His brilliant use of the brass instruments (particularly French Horn and Tuba) in a primarily string ensemble show his true genius over the years.

  • @clrobertson13
    @clrobertson13 Před rokem +47

    As I’ve said before, “John Williams, the composer of the soundtrack of my life.”

    • @tankythemagnorite9855
      @tankythemagnorite9855 Před rokem

      If your soundtrack is The Imperial March, something sinister us going on...

    • @feefeesmomma
      @feefeesmomma Před rokem

      @@tankythemagnorite9855 You do know he composed more than just this piece right? What he means is that JW has composed just about every major movie that has happened in our lifetime.

    • @tankythemagnorite9855
      @tankythemagnorite9855 Před rokem

      @@feefeesmomma yes I do, but this being the Imperial March, I assumed he was talking about that being the soundtrack to his life.

    • @PrincessJamiG
      @PrincessJamiG Před rokem

      Absolutely true.

    • @molson87
      @molson87 Před rokem +1

      Dang, your life is way more exciting than mine! When you travel, do maps with red lines from your origin to destination appear in front of you?

  • @petevredenburg4870
    @petevredenburg4870 Před 9 měsíci +12

    Thank you, John Williams for giving us decades of inspiration! Your musical storytelling gift is one of Earth's special treasures...

  • @lindablue7494
    @lindablue7494 Před 10 měsíci +15

    The way that he conducts things is truly an art and utter genius. Watching him had me on the end of my seat and took my breath away, It made remember scenes from the movies and you could hear every terrifying note, for the bad guys. Simply Brilliant. He is a modern day Mozart, with vision and he simply creates magic for the big screen. When you love what you do its not work. Thank You Mr. Williams for the memories in sound and film.

  • @pabobfin
    @pabobfin Před rokem +39

    What a thrill it must be for the orchestra to be conducted by the author of our lives soundtrack.... Happy B'day John.

  • @kali3665
    @kali3665 Před rokem +140

    One of the greatest bravura composers ever. From Lost in Space to this, an incredible career.

    • @TB1M1
      @TB1M1 Před rokem +14

      The genius of JW is in his quieter less bravura scores, Accidental tourist, AI, Munich, seven year in tibet, always, Nixon

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +2

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @RAWestover
      @RAWestover Před rokem

      ​@@davidwilks4123 You talk like somebody who's never touched an instrument in your life. In fact, I'm about 99% sure that you haven't devoted a serious amount of time to an instrument, given that you conflate "instrumental from some nondescript number of years in the past" with "classical." A John Williams piece plays very similar to a Gustav Holst piece - not surprising given that Holst was an inspiration for the Star Wars soundtrack. If you had ever put in the work to learn an instrument, learn a piece, and play with a group, you'd find pieces by talented modern composers no less intricate or satisfying to play than a piece 100 or 200 years old.

    • @jedijones
      @jedijones Před rokem +5

      @@davidwilks4123 Snob alert!

  • @GrandManor
    @GrandManor Před 7 měsíci +7

    Imagine scoring Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but you don’t win the Academy Award because you also scored Star Wars that year.

  • @ryanhitchcock6738
    @ryanhitchcock6738 Před 2 měsíci +1

    The word legend is thrown about to often. This man is a living legend

  • @ghostnappa2012
    @ghostnappa2012 Před rokem +107

    This song never fails to give me chills, and having Lord John Williams conducting it at 90 makes it even more awe inspiring and chilling for the best reasons

    • @HooDatDonDar
      @HooDatDonDar Před rokem +2

      He has an honorary KBE. No title with that. A real one would let him be ‘Sir John’.
      ‘Lord John Williams’ would only apply to the younger son of a Duke.

    • @coasterb1
      @coasterb1 Před rokem

      @@HooDatDonDar Lord has more uses than the British title. Check the dictionary. "someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler" (Oxford) I'd say John Williams is an authority figure and master in film scoring and directing.

    • @Historymaker-xw9wf
      @Historymaker-xw9wf Před 6 dny

      @@coasterb1 Under that definition, the title certainly applies. As I am technically a subject of the King myself, I prefer to use the term Maestro as an honor title for John WIlliams

  • @evancortez2
    @evancortez2 Před rokem +79

    from Lost in Space to the Time Tunnel to the Land of the Giants to Star Wars to Superman to Indiana Jones to Saving Private Ryan - I've been listening and been enthralled by John Williams' masterpieces since I was a little boy!

    • @rheailiarome2287
      @rheailiarome2287 Před rokem +6

      You forgot he wrote the music for Jaws....

    • @evancortez2
      @evancortez2 Před rokem +2

      @@rheailiarome2287 how could I forget??

    • @margaretanncarno4014
      @margaretanncarno4014 Před rokem +7

      And Schindler’s list.

    • @jamesgravil9162
      @jamesgravil9162 Před rokem +7

      Don't forget Jurassic Park, Home Alone and Hook. Some of the best movies of the 90s. I think John Williams might have composed the score for Goonies as well.

    • @wyldegi
      @wyldegi Před rokem +2

      Harry Potter too!

  • @abbygailechien6466
    @abbygailechien6466 Před měsícem

    His age just simply melts away the moment he held the baton... beyond amazing!

  • @GrandmaSkillz
    @GrandmaSkillz Před rokem +1

    he looks phenomenal for 90

  • @TheTiedyedgal
    @TheTiedyedgal Před rokem +4

    How cool is that? To have the man himself conduct!

  • @brassinpocket7975
    @brassinpocket7975 Před rokem +39

    You can't help but smile watching a man so purely in his element. Bravo!

  • @noaht.8413
    @noaht.8413 Před 11 měsíci +1

    That snare is crisp!

  • @nathanthaxton7492
    @nathanthaxton7492 Před 6 měsíci +2

    The Master plays. We listen.

  • @WickstarRunner
    @WickstarRunner Před rokem +6

    Top 5 American composer of all time and easily the greatest of the last 75 years.

  • @garypayne2157
    @garypayne2157 Před rokem +29

    Wow, and Williams has created the original music for the next installment of Indiana Jones coming in May. He is incredible!

    • @moddedinkling4168
      @moddedinkling4168 Před rokem +6

      He stated that this might be his final soundtrack before he retires.

    • @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606
      @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Před rokem +2

      It will be the only good thing about that movie which is unfortunate

    • @moddedinkling4168
      @moddedinkling4168 Před rokem +2

      @@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Movie isn't even out and you're already judging it? Remember, Spielberg and Lucas are still officially working on the film.

    • @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606
      @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Před rokem +1

      @@moddedinkling4168 Harrison Ford isn’t what he was 40 years ago, he seemed to struggle in the Crystal Skull movie, and that particular film wasn’t very good, if this upcoming movie is a repeat of that then it won’t be a good film, and if they are going to replace Harrison then it’s not a Indiana Jones film. Just my take on it, I’d like for them to reboot the series but don’t want them riding the coat tails

    • @kallemetsahalme5701
      @kallemetsahalme5701 Před rokem

      there have been plenty of stories with old batman, old welles, old connery etc. that have been great. if they just have the sense to present indy more as a wise instructor as he was in the school since movie 1 they have potential. it can still be an indy movie even if someone else does most of the jumping and running. that said i dont have too much faith in the studio seeing what kind of trash the recent terminators, jurassic parks etc have been

  • @Martin-jk2ng
    @Martin-jk2ng Před měsícem

    I had the pleasure of watching this man conduct twice in my life. The most iconic composer of the twentieth century.

  • @comdutch
    @comdutch Před 2 měsíci +1

    Just as we now listen to classical music composed hundreds of years ago, hundreds of years from now people will still be listening to the music of John Williams...

  • @kkampy4052
    @kkampy4052 Před rokem +41

    The Imperial March is one of the GREAT pieces of music written for a movie. One of the few movie soundtracks I bought, on vinyl to boot.

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +1

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @Atomicunderware
      @Atomicunderware Před rokem

      @@davidwilks4123 Copy paste copy paste copy paste. Get a life man.

  • @gabrielasaldivia7923
    @gabrielasaldivia7923 Před rokem +4

    Seeing him conduct the Orchestra is like watching a kid on Christmas Morning!!!

  • @Jedi_Master_Windu
    @Jedi_Master_Windu Před 7 měsíci +3

    May the force be with you Master Williams.

  • @CatLadyDee
    @CatLadyDee Před 8 měsíci +6

    He is a legend and a personal hero. This wonderful man is a french hornists best friend. ( Yeah. I'm a french horn player ). I love his music and his humility. Much love, Mr Williams!

  • @yvonnevanwaegeningh-tiggel4577

    OMG, he's written so much gorgeous music and is still going strong at this very respectable age. The joy on his face is contagious. I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face. And tears in my eyes as well, because it was such a magical moment. Thank you John Williams, for everything you brought us untill this day, and for new beautiful things that might be coming still...

    • @davidwilks4123
      @davidwilks4123 Před rokem +1

      I bet those people playing hated having to sully their hands with pop faux classical music. They are professional musicians who studied for decades to learn to play. They play better real classical music than the pop drivel that he churns out. The conductor is a figure head, they don't need him at all.

    • @sweetdaddydee1314
      @sweetdaddydee1314 Před rokem

      ​@David Wilks bruhhhh stop going in everyones comments acting snobby and shit. Grt the hell outta here.

    • @janberkemeier7406
      @janberkemeier7406 Před rokem

      @@davidwilks4123 Liking your own, obvious bait is cringe, bro

  • @strawberrana
    @strawberrana Před rokem +11

    I love how happy he is too, he's genuinely just having fun conducting his music

  • @Jimyrt.
    @Jimyrt. Před 3 měsíci +1

    John Williams made so many classic franchises what they are today and for that I must thank him.

  • @glennkoons1560
    @glennkoons1560 Před 6 měsíci +2

    This is just wonderful and tho I am 84, John could beat me into dust.

  • @jacobvie
    @jacobvie Před rokem +360

    We will have to wait centuries to get a composer like him again. For me he is in a row with Beethoven, Bruckner and Sibelius.

  • @rebekahnewman9419
    @rebekahnewman9419 Před rokem +5

    He doesn't even have to look at the sheet music hardly anymore since he wrote it back in 1977, and he's conducted it numerous times since then. The force is strong with this one.

  • @Katalex29
    @Katalex29 Před 5 měsíci +5

    SO blessed to have born in the time when I can still remember this incredible composition played on the big screen for the very first time. To this day, I still get chills when I hear it. Incredible!!!

  • @NicDunn
    @NicDunn Před 3 měsíci +2

    John Williams is one of the most important creative minds of the last 100 years, maybe more. I pray to write music a fraction as brilliant

  • @EriksPlace
    @EriksPlace Před rokem +3

    Nothing compares to seeing the likes of Yo Yo Ma, Stephen Spielberg, and many more look on in admiration at the spectacle of a master exercising his craft.

  • @tomchidwick
    @tomchidwick Před rokem +6

    I'll have what he's having!! Thanks for all of the wonderful music and memories, Mr. Williams. You are a true treasure.