John Williams News

Emotional arias and powerful choruses have the audience rejoicing in the victory of 'Judas Maccabaeus,' as Pacific Symphony opens the holiday season with the rare opportunity to hear Handel's jubilant oratorio. With all of the drama and flair of his operas, the Baroque composer masterfully tells of the Israelites' rich journey from hardship to triumph. One of peace, harmony and faith, the story of Judas Maccabees forms the basis for the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and is often defined as history's first war for religious freedom.

Orange County, Calif.—Nov. 21, 2013—Emotional arias and powerful choruses have the audience rejoicing in the victory of “Judas Maccabaeus,” as Pacific Symphony opens the holiday season with the rare opportunity to hear Handel's jubilant oratorio. With all of the drama and flair of his operas, the Baroque composer masterfully tells of the Israelites' rich journey from hardship to triumph. One of peace, harmony and faith, the story of Judas Maccabees forms the basis for the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and is often defined as history's first war for religious freedom. For this performance, Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director John Alexander leads the orchestra, chorale and esteemed vocal soloists Lauren Snouffer, soprano; Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano; I-Chin Feinblatt, alto; Thomas Cooley, tenor; William Berger, baritone; and The All American Boys Chorus for an inspiring and rousing musical experience.

In 2014 Tanglewood welcomes Andris Nelsonsfor his first festival appearances as BSO Music Director Designate. His first of four concerts with the BSO will be an all-Dvo?ak program, with the composer's symphonic poem The Noonday Witch, the Violin Concerto with soloist Anne-Sophie Mutter, and the Symphony No. 8 (7/11). For his second BSO program on July 19, Maestro Nelsons will be joined by Swedish trumpeter Hakan Hardenberger performing his compatriot Rolf Martinsson's Trumpet Concerto, on a program with music by Brahms and Tchaikovsky. The following Sunday afternoon (7/20), Maestro Nelsons will open his BSO program withChristopher Rouse's Rapture, followed by Lalo'sSymphonie espagnole, with violin soloist Joshua Bell, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

Richmond, Virginia Kick off the holidays with sounds of the season! On Saturday, December 7 - 8:00pm and Sunday, December 8 - 3:00pm, the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage will be transformed into a wonderland of music and song!

Sony Music has announced the release of renowned composer John Williams' original motion picture soundtrack of The Book Thief, a moving film by Brian Percival based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Markus Zusak.

Calendar listing for Cleveland Orchestra concerts and events in December 2013:

Disney confirmed today that D2 will officially be the first returning character in J.J. Abrams' return to the franchise, due in theaters Dec. 18, 2015. Rumors first arose when Abrams debuted a behind-the-scenes shot of the film (to the left), featuring the beloved staple of the series.

In a year when Boston reigns supreme on the World Series stage, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Conductor Keith Lockhart will bring its winning holiday fare, complete with the trademark "Sleigh Ride," an audience carol sing and a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick, to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at 8 p.m.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announces the extraordinary lineup for the 2013-2014 JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT MASTERWORKS SEASON - SANFORD AND BEATRICE ZIFF CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will perform its annual "Holiday Pops" concert December 13-15 (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.) at historic Music Hall under the direction of "Mr. Christmas," Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. Multiplatinum-selling vocalist and Broadway veteran Ann Hampton Callaway returns to the Pops as guest artist, performing traditional holiday favorites and up-and-coming classics such as "My Favorites Things," "I Wonder as I Wander," and "Somewhere in my Memory" (from John Williams' Home Alone). The rich Pops orchestration, along with the May Festival Youth Chorus, Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble and the ever-popular cloggers from the Studio for Dance of Cincinnati, give life to these and other familiar tunes in this highly-entertaining family tradition.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's second concert of the 2013-2014 season features famed conductor James Judd and world-renowned classical guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas taking the stage in the Perelman Theater. Set between Elgar's popular Serenade and the melodic Swiss Symphony by Mendelssohn, Villa-Lobos' Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra brings a delightful Euro-Latin flavor to the program.

Near the Oscar season inspirational dramas with heartfelt messages and underlying socio-political mores are at their cinematic height. But will The Book Thief even enter the race?

LucasFilm and Disney made the announcement the afternoon on StarWars.com, with Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios saying in a statement: 'We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture.'

It turns out that when it came to Tanya Moberly cabaret shows and this reviewer, the third time was the charm. After being blown away by Moberly's powerful voice and stage presence when I first caught her one-song performances at the Sunday Salon Open Mics three years ago, I wasn't crazy about either of her full-blown cabaret shows the past two years (Tanya Moberly Sings Di Franco/Tanya Moberly Sings Jonatha Brooke in 2011 and Tanya Lorraine Moberly Sings Barbra Joan Streisand in 2012—in spite of her receiving MAC and BroadwayWorld.com Best Female Vocalist nominations for the latter). But her new show that opened this past Friday and Saturday nights at Don't Tell Mama, I Love New York Songwriters, pressed many of my cabaret buttons—in a good way. While there were still some minor flaws—owing to a certain stubbornness in her approach to a cabaret show—this eclectic set of original songs written by some of the city's best “unknown” composers was consistently entertaining. In this particular show, Ms. Moberly was Tanya Terrific.

Sony Music is proud to announce the release of renowned composer John Williams' original motion picture soundtrack of The Book Thief, a moving film by Brian Percival based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Markus Zusak.

The Houston Symphony's December calendar features a special one-night-only performance as John Williams Joins Yo-Yo Ma on December 5 at Jones Hall. The Symphony will also celebrate the holidays with concerts for the entire family. On December 13, 14 and 15, the Symphony and Chorus will perform Very Merry Pops, which celebrates the season with holiday hits including a special piece, Glad Tidings, which features spiritual leaders from the Houston community as guest narrators.

On December 19 and 20, 2013 at 8:00 PM, The New York Pops will present an evening full of holiday cheer at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with Ashley Brown and Essential Voices USA. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke - described by The New York Times as a "polished, welcoming host" who is "young and vigorous, with a playful attitude" - will lead the orchestra and guest artist Ashley Brown in a festive concert featuring traditional favorites and new holiday hits.

In the first pops concert of the season, Utah Symphony will welcome back to Utah Brian Stokes Mitchell, a much-loved vocalist who performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during their annual Christmas Concert in 2008.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's second concert of the 2013-2014 season features famed conductor James Judd and world-renowned classical guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas taking the stage in the Perelman Theater. Set between Elgar's popular Serenade and the melodic Swiss Symphony by Mendelssohn, Villa-Lobos' Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra brings a delightful Euro-Latin flavor to the program.

The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park has announced the program for the November 9 and 10, 2013, choral concerts. The program includesHymn of Eternal Flame by Stephen Paulus, featuring the Bach Festival Choir; Remembrance by Michael Isaacson, featuring Joni Roos, violin; Theme From Schindler's List by John Williams, featuring Brenda Higgins, cello; Little David Play Your Harp by Morton Gould; and The Road Home by Stephen Paulus, featuring the Bach Festival Choir.