John Williams News

The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center with HarryPotter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. On February 16 at 2pm, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform John Williams' unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.

"Trick or treat?" It's time to party in the wicked fun Halloween feast hosted by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil)! On 27 & 28 October, "magician" Harry Wong (or Harry Gor Gor) and conductor Lio Kuok-man will conjure up some of the creepiest classical music and also spooky theme songs from all-time favourite movies, taking us to a wild and bizarre world of mischievous witches, orgiastic goblins, grinning pumpkins, headless horsemen and dangling skeletons in the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium.

Little Elliott and his charming extraterrestrial friend hurry on a bike through a bleak forest at dusk. Time is their enemy but the boy has to stop because of the increasingly bumpy road. Suddenly, the bike rushes forward as if it was possessed by some magic force, and despite Elliott's vocal protests it rides fiercelly toward a cliff, then falls off it, only to ascend like a wingless bird a second later. In the background, we can hear the inspirational John Williams's theme while the little man and even smaller alien fly over the treetops, admiring the world that stretches beneath them. The boy's face is radiant with a mix of fascination and utter disbelief in what he sees. At the same time, the sequence's atmosphere, infused with a profundity of a child's limitless imagination, spreads to the viewer watching with admiration as the silhouettes of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial's protagonists roam over the air against the backdrop of a gigantic moon. A few moments later Elliott's excitement is replaced by soreness of his limbs when the bike hits the ground, but those seconds of celluloid magic stay with the viewers for many years. This is but one of hundreds of examples of the imaginative work done by Carol Littleton, this year's recipient of Camerimage Award to Editor with Unique Visual Sensitivity.

The Royal Albert Hall celebrates the 25th anniversary of the release of Jurassic Park presenting the cult classic with a full symphonic orchestra, creating a magical and hair-raising experience. The Czech National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ben Palmer delivers the overwhelming fascination that's inherent to John Williams' score.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel ushered in the orchestra's Centennial season with a celebratory Opening Night Concert & Gala, California Soul, Thursday, September 27, 7 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The festive evening featured singers Chris Martin of Coldplay, who brought Dudamel and the LA Phil's YOLA musicians to the 2016 Super Bowl, and Corinne Bailey Rae, who performed at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this year.

On the heels of their semi-finals appearance on America's Got Talent, Angel City Chorale is proud to release One World, Live From Los Angeles, an outstanding collection of world music recorded live at their concerts across Southern California. The songs are as diverse as their membership, with music from John Williams, Christopher Tin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Karl Jenkins. Experience the energy, enthusiasm and pure joy in each of these performances that have become the hallmark of this Golden Buzzer winning choral group.

An American icon comes home.  During the early years of his career, American composer, conductor and arranger Henry Mancini and his family lived not far from where California State University, Northridge campus now stands.  On Saturday, October 13 at 8pm, Mancini's music comes home to Northridge as The Soraya presents Moon River and the Music of Henry Mancini.  Starring Monica Mancini with special guest three-time Tony nominated Joshua Henry, Moon River and the Music of Henry Mancini features Gregg Field as Music Director and Chris Walden conducting the New West Symphony.  

5-STAR THEATRICALS opens its 2018-2019 season with the Thousand Oaks premiere of SHREK THE MUSICAL

In collaboration with the Recording Academy, Great Performances presents GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends 2018®, the third annual all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for the Recording Academy's 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients. The celebration and tribute concert feature rare performances by honorees and never-before-seen renditions of their classic songs by those they've inspired. Recorded in July at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, the event premieres nationwideFriday, October 5 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf and PBS apps.

After a summer of unprecedented popularity, Side by Side with the Chicago Philharmonic returns for the Columbus Day long weekend at Piotrowski Park, presented as a part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks series. Chi Phil is proud to bring this unique music opportunity to students and community musicians of all ages across the city of Chicago once again through this signature outreach program, in which community musicians rehearse and perform free concerts alongside Chi Phil's world-class musicians in Chicago's beautiful parks. In summer 2018, over 400 community musicians registered to rehearse and perform in parks in Chicago's west and south side neighborhoods, reaching over 1200 audience members.

In collaboration with PBS' 'Great Performances' series, the Recording Academy presents 'GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends®', the third annual all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for the Academy's 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients. The celebration and tribute concert feature rare performances by honorees and never-before-seen renditions of their classic songs by those they've inspired. Recorded in July at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, the event premieres nationwide Friday, October 5 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf and PBS apps.

The Hershey Symphony opens its 50th season on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 8pm at the Hershey Theatre with 'A Tribute to John Williams - Part 2'. The concert brings a second helping of possibly the world's best known and beloved composer, John Williams. The Symphony's 2016 Williams tribute concert was so well received that the Orchestra was compelled to do this sequel featuring more of his 100+ film themes.

The Columbus Symphony today announced the six-concert lineup for its 2018-19 Pops Series. All concerts will be held at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra has added additional performances of the first two films in the Star Wars: Film Concert Series. The NJSO presents screenings of the complete films Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back with Oscar-winning composer John Williams' musical scores performed live in November 2018 and January 2019, respectively. Tickets for the added performances go on sale to the public on September 7 at 10 am.

SCHINDLER'S LIST 25th Anniversary Brings The Film Back In Theaters December 7, 2018

The BERNSTEIN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT TANGLEWOOD concert was one of the largest and most significant performances taking place worldwide in recognition of what would have been Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday. The unprecedented and unparalleled event marked the climax of Tanglewood's season-long celebration of the Bernstein Centennial.

The York Symphony Orchestra will present Heroes and Superheroes on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York. This Pops Series Concert is the first performance of the 2018-2019 season, Heroes!, and will take audiences on an adventurous journey with selections inspired by caped crusaders and crimefighters.