The Music of John Williams

Listening to a programme of John Williams film music is not like any other classical gig. The scores are the soundtrack to our lives – starting in the 1960s (Mr Williams won his first Academy Award in 1967), moving through to the Spielberg-Lucas blockbuster era of the 1980s, and then the Harry Potter franchise in the early 2000s. His music helped us believe in a 20-foot killer shark (Jaws), that aliens wanted to communicate with us (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and that a man could fly (Superman). He was also busy conducting and composing concertos and other orchestral works, but this programme by the QSO was all about celebrating the composer’s Hollywood collection. Conductor Nicolas Buc confesses to being a huge film fan. He credits a screening of Star Wars as sparking an early interest in composing, and he now treats QSO audiences to the regular Cinematic programme at QPAC. He led us through more than two hours of music, entreating us to stories about John Williams along the way. This was a thoroughly entertaining programme, carefully and considerately put together.

The Music of John Williams felt highly-anticipated by many in the full-to-the-choir-seats Concert Hall, a delightful mix of young and old. Starting with the rousing ‘Main Title from Star Wars’, we were then taken out to sea with some of the lesser-known music from Jaws, and into space with Close Encounters, starting with the anxious scratching of violin strings, and ending with those famous five notes from the horn section. The six-person percussion team were also kept very busy indeed.

The ‘Theme from Angela’s Ashes’ reminded us of some of Mr Wiliams’s quieter work, with piano by Cara Tran and oboe by Huw Jones creating a haunting atmosphere. The violin solo in the ‘Theme from Schindler’s List’ performed by Concertmaster Glenn Christensen was a moving world-class mini concert that brought this film fan to tears. And Cara’s return to the keys, this time on the ethereal celeste for ‘Hedwig’s Flight’ and ‘Harry’s Wondrous World’ from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a crowd-pleasing closer to the programme. An energised coda was provided by more excerpts from Star Wars, including an encore featuring the jazzy ‘Star Wars Cantina’ piece.

This was an emotional journey of unforgettable music, played by the superb QSO, many – such as the six-strong double bass section – smiling and obviously relishing in playing this fabulous music. Many, like me, were possibly remembering key life milestones along to the music – a screening of ET the Extraterrestrial while on school holidays, then buying the soundtrack for my cousin’s birthday (ET or Metallica? ET won!) A screening of Star Wars at the Strand cinema in Toowoomba with my brothers, seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark with flatmates at the Regent Cinema in Brisbane, and Jurassic Park on a trip to Sydney to visit my sister. We all have stories connected to this music. Now 94 years old, Mr Williams is still working, having come out of retirement a number of times. His music, and this tribute performance by the QSO, are an inspiration.

The concert was recorded and will be broadcast by ABC Classic at midday on 21 March.

More QSO concerts coming up: qso.com.au/events

Beth Keehn

Photographs: Sam Muller