By: Jack MeersmanMusic 1010: Introduction to Music

Born February 8, 1932 Flushing Queens, NY

Parents Ester and John Williams

Sr.▪ His father was a studio

musician and one of his initial inspirations

1948- Family moved to Los Angeles He attended North

Hollywood High School

After High School▪ He attended UCLA▪ He also studied with

Italian Composer- Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

1952 Drafted into the

United States Air Force▪ He served a 3

year term.▪ Conducting and

arranging music for the USAF band were some of his duties

1955 He moved to New

York.▪ Studied at Julliard

He also worked as a Jazz pianist

Earned the nickname:“Little Johnny Love”

1956-1974: 1st Marriage Married Barbara Ruick▪ 3 Children▪ Eldest child-Jennifer▪ Middle child-Mark▪ Youngest child-Jospeh

1980-Present: 2nd Marriage Married Samantha

Winslow

Early Career He shared credits on many film

compositions First screen credit: Because They’re

Young First Academy Award nomination: Valley

of the Dolls (1967) First Academy Award win: Adapted score

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Williams and Director Irwin Allen (1970’s) The Trinity of Disaster Movies▪ The Poseidon Adventure▪ Towering Inferno▪ Earthquake

Directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas use John Williams for film scores. Jaws The Star Wars sagas Superman The Indiana Jones movies E.T. and many more

Awards Emmys Grammys Oscars BAFTA Golden Globes National Medal of Arts Kennedy Center Honor

Current Career Hollywood Bowl Boston Pops Film Composer

“Lietmotiv” The music signifies a character or

characteristic For example the brass and robust

fanfare signify Luke Skywalker, heroism or adventure.

Williams uses this style in all of his scores.

Star Wars Theme Composed in 1977 Performed by

London Symphony Orchestra

Even after 34 years it is still one of the most well known movie themes.

Raiders March Composed for Steven

Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

All 4 movies used it as the theme, as well as:▪ The Young Indiana Jones

Chronicles TV Show▪ Temple of the Forbidden

Eye in Disneyland

Jurassic Park Theme 12th collaboration for

Williams and Spielberg

MCA Released the soundtrack on May 25, 1993

Williams scored the sequels to Jurassic Park as well.

Jurassic Park Theme 3 Melodies▪ 1st: The dinosaurs and their elegance and beauty▪ 2nd:The park and its majestic inhabitants▪ 3rd: The Ominous carnivorous dinosaur

0:00-Opening rumble of percussion followed by horns, the joining together for a triumphant fanfare.

0:25-A transition to a more soothing melody of strings at a moderate tempo 0:47-With a cymbal crash, the orchestra comes to life with the main dynamic up beat

melody. 1:07- A more dramatic transition occurs with a rumble of percussion and horns straight to

strings in an awkwardly spiraling frenzy. 1:23-The melody and rhythm have changed. It’s very calm and surreal. 1:33-Then we jump back into a frenzy of strings with an element of danger. 1:41- The melody switches to a give a sense of insecurity. You feel safe, but yet in danger. 1:55- The percussion and horns again take you to a more safe feeling up beat melody. 2:06- Bells are added here and theme of victory is near. 2:28- We are back to our transition strings melody and moderate tempo 2:44- The main melody and tempo are transitioned to. 3:02- The feeling at this point is romance and femininity. It is a gentle slow tempo with

strings and occasional horns. 3:49- A transition occurs with a percussion roll and ever so dramatic range strings followed

by horns. This leads back into the main melody 4:09- A transition back to strings and peacefulness from the upbeat main melody and

tempo 4:27- A blast of trumpets takes through into the tempo and melody, while the percussion

can be felt. 4:45- The strings come in slightly after to take us to the final horn set in dramatic fashion.

4:59- The horns blare the main verse 5:11- The percussion ends it all

0:00- A French horn plays a melodramatic introduction. 0:27- Flutes then carry us into a happier melody 0:38- A harp joins to solidify our emotion. 0:44- The French horns come back and begin the main melody of the score at a

moderate tempo. 1:02- Strings take over the main melody and tempo. 1:20- A nice balance and alteration in tempo and range can be heard. 1:40- Percussion is heard with bass and bells to solidify the magnificence and

beauty being felt. 1:48- The French Horns lead us in true fashion again. 2:00- The strings and brass again carry us through the melodic chorus. 2:49- A big transition occurs as the horns lead out. 2:50- Strings re-enter with a different melody and tempo. It is calm and

reassuring. 3:06- The French Horns return us to the main tempo and melody. 3:22- With a few cymbal crashes the horns and strings come alive to the main

chorus the range is varying. 3:54- The strings alter the emotion here with a dramatic upbeat flare. 4:07- Oboes draw a little more pessimistic mood here. 4:28- Again there is a crash of cymbals and the orchestra comes alive with the

chorus, dominated by horns. 4:43- Now the French Horns dominate the melody and tempo. 5:00- Followed by a variety of altering horns. 5:27- Cymbal crash for effect 5:35- A dramatic climax is building 5:39- Another cymbal crash for effect 5:40- The percussion leads us down to the end in a dramatic and symbolic

fashion.

0:00- A low rumble of percussion is heard as well as a horn. The range is narrow. 0:08- The range jumps as trumpets sound and bring out the mood of excitement and

danger. The low rumble of percussion and low horn can still be heard. 0:19- Low rumble drops out briefly as the rhythm and tempo change slightly for a

couple seconds. 0:22- Trumpet is still blasting the main verse, as the rumble of the tempo returns. 0:38- The trumpet drops out and some strings take you into a different emotion and

rhythm. 0:53- The strings and horns come together to play Indy’s theme. 1:03- A little dramatic transition occurs as horns and trumpets up the pace a little. 1:12- It plateaus and the orchestra brings the character and emotions alive. 1:48- The strings and horns now take us through a transition into a new theme. 2:00- A theme of love and femininity is felt, and drawn from a character. 2:30- As the tempo and range change, our emotions do as well. It is almost like a

heartbeat faster and slower or high and lower. It is romance. 3:00- The mood and emotion intensify as the characters kindle their passion. The

tempo is almost so surreal like a fairytale. 3:22- With a little hoppy beat the transition begins back to the main Indy theme. 3:38- The horns seem to lead as the strings provide a little support. 3:47- The range increases and draws us back to the hero. 4:03- The transition is complete and the horns lead the charge as the percussion

keeps the tempo up beat. 4:35- A brisk change in ranges adds some effect as it nears on end. 4:45- The horns belt a triumphant sound as if the end is here. 4:48- The percussion seems to close it out. 4:49- The low rumble from the beginning returns. 4:53- A flute enters to play the main verse with a tender emotion and tempo. 5:10- An oboe seems to cast a slight under tone here. 5:15- A little drum beat and cymbal carry into the strings gently sending us to the

end.

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