What is your favorite John Williams theme? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

Spinoff to the Spielberg thread. But here, instead of asking for the "best" I'm asking for your favorite. It's far too subjective for "best".

So tough. I'm going with Superman though.

 

[timschochet]

I completely forgot the Empire Strikes Back "Imperial March" theme. Just added it at the bottom over Harry Potter. If you want Harry Potter, you can still take "other".

 

[timschochet]

I'm sure that neither the Olympics or Amistad will get very many votes, but both are simply beautiful compositions. Schindler's List, which is haunting, features Itzak Perlman on violin.

 

[eoMMan]

He's the famous porn director, right?

 

[FUBAR]

Spinoff to the Spielberg thread. But here, instead of asking for the "best" I'm asking for your favorite. It's far too subjective for "best".

So tough. I'm going with Superman though.

add links please.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I saw him conduct both Superman and the Imperial March live in Boston and it is too hard to choose between these. Nearly perfect music.

Here was the Superman performance which was the encore to the show if memory serves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWivO4ZtgM4

 

[FUBAR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSW3a4bYwdM

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Empire :sith:

 

[Andy Dufresne]

E.T. - Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

And it's not close.

 

[Foosball God]

Superman. The movie sucked, but I'm not sure there is a more instantly recognizable score out there.

 

[FUBAR]

Superman. The movie sucked, but I'm not sure there is a more instantly recognizable score out there.

won't argue, but star wars, Jaws, Superman, Raiders, Harry Potter... all instantly recognizable.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

E.T. - Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

And it's not close.

Start at the 12:00 mark and go forward. I tear up every time.

"I'll...be...right...here..."

"Goodbye"

 

[FUBAR]

E.T. - Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

And it's not close.

Start at the 12:00 mark and go forward. I tear up every time.

"I'll...be...right...here..."

"Goodbye"

all of his music emits emotions and memories from growing up. If our childhoods had a collective soundtrack, it would be composed by Mr. Williams.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The most beautiful is Leia's Theme.

One not well known, but should be, is Hymn To The Fallen.

A really fun one is Flight To Neverland from Hook.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

Superman is the most iconic and recognizable.

 

[Foosball God]

Superman. The movie sucked, but I'm not sure there is a more instantly recognizable score out there.

won't argue, but star wars, Jaws, Superman, Raiders, Harry Potter... all instantly recognizable.

Not so sure about Harry Potter, but agree that the rest are instantly recognizable. Superman was one that jumped into my head that I could actually sing the notes too immediately.

 

[randall146]

Dances with Wolves was pretty great

Of course, that was John Barry

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Dances with Wolves was pretty great

It's probably John Barry's best.

 

[saintfool]

i like music that *tells* me what to feel at any (or depending on the film, every) moment.

 

[KarmaPolice]

i like music that *tells* me what to feel at any (or depending on the film, every) moment.

Ah, you are a huge fan of War Horse then.

 

[Braktastic]

Not sure how this was left off the list of choices, but...

The Force Theme aka Binary Sunset aka Luke's Theme.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Not sure how this was left off the list of choices, but...

The Force Theme aka Binary Sunset aka Luke's Theme.

It's a shorter, but still great, queue.

 

[jabarony]

Empire when the Falcon is escaping through the asteroid field. And especially the end of the movie right before the credits.

 

[The General]

I completely forgot the Empire Strikes Back "Imperial March" theme. Just added it at the bottom over Harry Potter. If you want Harry Potter, you can still take "other".

Imperial March was first one that came to mind. So iconic.

This guy is a genius though can't really go wrong voting for many of his.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

cantina theme rules

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I also like the one that sounds like Wagner.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I also like the one that sounds like Wagner.

You mean Holst?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I also like the one that sounds like Wagner.

You mean Holst?

Yes, him too.

 

[saintfool]

I also like the one that sounds like Wagner.

this one?

 

[Hov34]

All of them.

 

[Mario Kart]

1. Jurassic Park (catches the imagination so well)

2. Harry Potter (another imagination catcher. Great music for kids to go to sleep to)

3. Star Wars

4. Superman

 

[AAABatteries]

This guy is a genius.

This can't be stressed enough IMO - these scores are an integral part of my memory for each of these movies.

 

[Gator Shawn]

I have his GH volume 1 and 2 on my phone. I listen to them all quite frequently and for me it's Superman slam dunk and everything else is a distant second. The Superman Theme is so amazing. That said, there's heavy competition for #2 with Raiders, Vader's March, ET and Jurassic Park.

This is some pump you up bad assery here

 

[Gator Shawn]

So many other great scores too.

Omaha Beach in Saving Private Ryan.

 

[RBM]

What an incredible list.

Jurassic is beautiful. ET thrilling. Schindler heartbreaking. But man it's tough to beat Star Wars and Superman. So iconic.

Gotta go Superman.

 

[MikeIke]

I can't possibly pick one. Everything he does seems to turn to gold. Just an amazing composer, without peer in our generation.

 

[shuke]

Transition from throne room theme into main star wars theme as credits roll.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

John Williams’ Film Night!

A widely beloved tradition, "John Williams' Film Night," returns once more to the Boston Pops! Williams and David Newman conduct Williams's iconic scores.

www.classicalwcrb.org

Performed just last weekend.

John Williams and David Newman, conductors
The Boston Pops
BU Tanglewood Institute Chorus

John Williams’ Film Night

Richard WHITING, arr. John Williams Hooray for Hollywood
John WILLIAMS The Cowboys Overture
Bernard HERRMANN Scène d’Amour from Vertigo
WILLIAMS Suite from Far and Away
WILLIAMS Theme from Jurassic Park
WILLIAMS Love Theme and March from Superman
WILLIAMS The Adventures of Mutt from Indiana Jones
WILLIAMS Call of the Champions
WILLIAMS Dry Your Tears, Afrika from Amistad
WILLIAMS Duel of the Fates from Star Wars Episode I
WILLIAMS Theme from Schindler’s List
WILLIAMS from Star Wars: The Asteroid Field; Anakin’s Theme; Throne Room & Finale
WILLIAMS Helena’s Theme, from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
WILLIAMS Flying Theme, from E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
WILLIAMS Imperial March, from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

 

[dickey moe]

E.T. - Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

And it's not close.

Yeah, you got me to change my vote.

 

[ChiefD]

Star Wars Theme.

No song on that list produces chills for me even now, 45 years after I first heard that song. I will NEVER forget 8 year old me reading "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."

And then - BAM!

There hasn't been a song in a movie, before or since, to hit me like that like a sonic boom to my soul.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The Superman theme makes me want to stand up and salute something!

 

[AAABatteries]

This guy is a genius.

This can't be stressed enough IMO - these scores are an integral part of my memory for each of these movies.

It’s unreal - modern day Bach, Mozart, Beethoven.

 

[AAABatteries]

I finally voted and went with the one that I listen to more than others - not sure I would say it’s my favorite but listening to it the most kind of speaks for itself.

Jurassic Park

 

[The General]

This guy is a genius.

This can't be stressed enough IMO - these scores are an integral part of my memory for each of these movies.

It’s unreal - modern day Bach, Mozart, Beethoven.

I'm a Vivaldi man.

My 1.1 in the composers draft!!

 

[bigbottom]

I finally voted and went with the one that I listen to more than others - not sure I would say it’s my favorite but listening to it the most kind of speaks for itself.

Jurassic Park

So good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQzkTZtL1EM

 

[Sullie]

Star Wars is better but I voted Jaws. I grew in a family of 7 (Mom+Dad+5 kiddos). Dad worked two full time jobs, Mom was a nurse and we just didn't get much time with our Dad. My Dad shocked the heck out of my brother and I by taking us (just a guys night out) to go see Jaws when it came out. I have never even heard of it yet but I was 8, my brother was 10 and that made a lifelong impression upon me. So much so that I've kept every single ticket stub from every movie I've ever taken our son to. He's 19 now, I'll probably present it to him in some form or another when the time is right. Anyway, I've owned Jaws on VHS, Beta, LaserDisc, DVD, BluRay and digital. I can pretty much quote every single line of the movie at this point in my life. . . Star Wars is still better but Jaws will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Williams is phenomenal.
But I'd still take Morricone.

 

[bigbottom]

Williams is phenomenal.
But I'd still take Morricone.

Williams is No.1 for me, but Zimmer is a close second. And he was in The Buggles which scores him bonus points.

 

[Psychopav]

This guy is a genius.

This can't be stressed enough IMO - these scores are an integral part of my memory for each of these movies.

It’s unreal - modern day Bach, Mozart, Beethoven.

I'm a Vivaldi man.

My 1.1 in the composers draft!!

if it ain't baroque, don't fa-ix it.

 

[otb_lifer]

Danny Elfman down?