New Philharmonic celebrates the legacy of John Williams with famous film scores

Maestro Kirk Muspratt and New Philharmonic will fill the MAC with the sounds of “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” in “The Best of John Williams 2.0” concert program Nov. 1-3.

Photo: Kirk Muspratt and New Philharmonic take bow. Photo courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center

“I don't make a particular distinction between 'high art' and 'low art.' Music is there for everybody. It's a river we can all put our cups into and drink it and be sustained by it,” wrote John Williams. New Philharmonic, the only professional orchestra based in DuPage County, is happy to celebrate the heritage of the legendary American composer, John Williams, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 3 at the McAninch Arts Center located on the grounds of College of DuPage.

"Due to last year sold-out concerts, we are doing more of your favorite composer with new pieces and Oscar-winning favorites," states the orchestra's website. "Experience the awe and excitement of cinema’s greatest composer!"

This concert program, called “The Best of John Williams 2.0,” will feature selections from the Academy Award-winning composer’s memorable film scores that are loved and recognized by many people in the world. Williams, 92, is one of the most famous and financially successful composers in US history. He composed over 100 legendary film scores. Williams is also an outstanding conductor and pianist.

Maestro Kirk Muspratt and New Philharmonic are honored to recognize the legacy of such an incredible composer with its special concert program devoted exclusively to Williams. Under the baton of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, New Philharmonic will take “a magical musical journey down an extraordinary cinematic memory lane with Williams’ most beloved pieces spanning his more than six-decade career.”

Born in Flushing, New York on February 8, 1932, he was determined to become a musician as his father was a percussionist for CBS Radio and the Raymond Scott Quintet. The love for music was in his blood since his birth and later helped him to create music that comprises romanticism, impressionism, atonal sounds, and complex orchestration.

With 54 Oscar nominations, Williams currently holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person and is the second most nominated person in Academy Awards history behind Walt Disney with 59. He is the only person in the history of the Academy Awards who received nominations in seven consecutive decades.

“Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe,’ noted Stephen Spielberg at the 44th American Film Institute Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to John Williams.

Interestingly, the New Philharmonic concerts devoted to Williams coincide with the release of the new documentary “Music by John Williams,” which will premiere on Disney+ on November 1. This documentary from Five Came Back filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau is based on the life and career of this legendary composer.

It “explores how a middle-aged artist, struggling to break through in his profession and grappling with being a widower while raising three teenage children, evolved into the most celebrated composer of his age.” wrote Anthony Breznican for Vanity Fair.

The New Philharmonic will present some of the most famous music scores composed by Williams. It will feature “Scherzo for X-Wings,” a concert piece and musical track written by John Williams for the sequel trilogy film and fifth highest grossing film of all time, “Star Wars: Episode VII, The Force Awakens” (2015). The piece prominently features variations on the “Star Wars Main Title,” with a single use of "The Force Theme" towards the end.

This concert program will also include Theme from “Peter Gunn” by Henry Mancini. “Williams played piano on the original recording for the hit private eye TV show back in 1958,” notes the MAC press release. “It earned Mancini an Emmy Award nomination and two Grammys. Williams re-recorded it for a 2023 tribute album honoring famed composer Mancini.”

Another interesting composition that will be presented by the New Philharmonic is Williams’ vivid score for “The Cowboys” Overture (1972), which marked a departure from his usual musical style with its more restrained and traditional soundtrack. “Mission Theme” for NBC News (1985) will continue the program.

A selection from “Sayuri’s Theme” from “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005) is another gem that will be performed by the orchestra. This score received a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, BAFTA Award for Best Film Music and the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Another piece that was chosen for this program is “Olympic Fanfare and Theme.” It debuted in a Boston Pops concert on June 12, 1984. It was also performed at the opening ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 28, 1984.

And, of course, the New Philharmonic had to include the music from “Jaws” (1975). This score received Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Score, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score and Grammy Award for the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Certainly, the music from “Jurassic Park” (1993) couldn’t have been skipped. The film is based on the book by bestselling novelist Michael Crichton and was directed by Steven Spielberg. “Williams felt he needed to write ‘pieces that would convey a sense of ‘awe’ and fascination,’ as the film dealt with the ‘overwhelming happiness and excitement’ of seeing live dinosaurs,” reads the press release for this concert program.

This beautiful celebration of Williams and his music will also include “Midway March” and “Men of the Yorktown” from “Midway” (1976), a selection from “Adventures on Earth” from “E.T. The Extraterrestrial” (1982), and Cantina Band and Throne Room/End Title from “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977).

Each and every composition presented by the New Philharmonic will bring memories of these films that are full of adventures, vivid emotions, wild energy, and fascinating moments. The orchestra under the baton of Maestro Muspratt will fill the concert hall with Williams’ originality, spirit, talent, and unforgettable musical power. Three amazing concerts will light up the Chicago area with the sound of music created by John Williams, the one and only.

“I am so lucky to be working in a field that you never grow tired of,” said Williams. And we are never tired of listening to his music.

Tickets are $57-$67. For tickets visit https://atthemac.org/events/john-williams-2-0/ or call 630-942-4000. The McAninch Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and two hours prior to performance.

A free MAC Chat will begin one hour prior to each performance.

Natalia Dagenhart