John Williams: a Life..

Expensive for number of tracks.

Das Londoner Symphonieorchester spielt bekannte Musikstücke von John Williams aus berühmten Filmen: den „Haupttitel“ aus „Krieg der Sterne“ (Nr. 1), das „Thema“ aus „Jurassic Park“ (Nr. 2), „Hedwigs Thema“ aus „Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen“ (Nr. 3), den „Jäger-Marsch“ aus „Jäger des verlorenen Schatzes“ (Nr. 4), das „Flug-Thema“ aus „E. T.“ (Nr. 5), das „Thema“ aus „Schindlers Liste“ (Nr. 6), der „Flug nach Neverland“ aus „Hook“ (Nr. 7), die „Hymne an die Gefallenen“ aus „Der Soldat James Ryan“ (Nr. 8), das „Hai-Thema“ aus „Der weiße Hai“ (Nr. 9) und den „Supermann-Marsch“ aus „Supermann“ (Nr. 10). Besonders ergreifend, schön und gelungen ist das neue Arrangement des Themas aus „Schindlers Liste“, dessen Weltpremiere als Neuaufnahme auf dieser CD zu hören ist.Im beiliegenden Heftchen sind zu jedem Stück Stellungnahmen der beteiligten Musiker und eine Stellungnahme von John Williams selbst abgedruckt.Ich empfehle diese CD allen John Williams-Fans und allen Freunden klassischer Orchester- oder Kammermusik sowie allen Soundtrack-Fans!

Doveroso per chi apprezza le composizioni di Jhon Williams

ロンドン響が新たに演奏したアルバムってだけで、価値がある気がします。

Here we have yet another release of the usual John Williams fare. It is not conducted by John Williams, a fact Decca seems to go out of its way to conceal. But it is played by the London Symphony Orchestra, and their effortless virtuosity, along with sweetly, singing tenderness, are everywhere on display. This collection is conducted by Gavin Greenaway, known almost solely as a studio conductor of film soundtracks of other composers's scores for the movies themselves. And to be fair, he brings a symphonic grandeur and plenty of flair to these familiar themes. The only track unique to this collection is an arrangement of the Schindler's List theme for solo cello rather than the usual violin. It's fine; nothing special, despite heartfelt playing by the LSO's principal cellist.The sound is plush and expansive, perhaps revealing this recording was made in joint partnership with FM Classics. It sounds much more like an FM Classics recording than a Decca one. It is rich, warm and smooth, in a glowing and spacious acoustic. The highlight here is the playing of the LSO, which is truly fabulous. However, John Williams's own Boston Pops recordings (for SONY and Philips) have more life and an immediate presence that this Decca tends to smooth over.One nice touch, however, is that the booklet includes quotes from featured members of the orchestra for each track. These do not seem "scripted" or shallow; rather, they express sincere admiration for the genius of John Williams as a composer and reveal how rewarding his scores are to play.In sum, I'm not sure we really needed this recording. If you already own any of John Williams' own recordings of these themes (with the Boston Pops), there is absolutely no reason to buy this new release. With just 10 tracks totaling 50 minutes' playing time, this is hardly "A Life In Music", as Decca wants you to believe they have here. However, it is offered at slightly less than full price; and with spectacular playing and beautiful recording quality, it is tempting and not likely to disappoint.