John Williams (1932-present)

Have you ever watched a film in which the action moves on powerful music? Movie producers and directors Steven Spielberg said of his friend, “without John Williams, bikes don’t 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.”  John Williams has won five Academy Awards and received 52 more nominations, all for composing the music of America’s favorite movies.

Williams was born in New York and grew up there. As a kid, he played the piano cello trumpet trombone and had a band with his friends. After a stint in the Air Force, Williams enrolled in the Julliard school to study piano. When he was finished, he moved to California. There he made connections that got him started in film composition. 

He has continued to compose throughout his life, working very closely with Stephen Spielburg to help move audiences through feature films. Many of the most popular films in the US boast his compositions, including Star Wars, ET, Hook, Home Alone, The Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jurassic Park.

The Works

Williams wrote many pieces for the movies. Enjoy these excerpts presented by different orchestras.

Internet Resources

Websites for more information: 

Photo of ArtistHeadshot – https://www.arkansassymphony.org/john-williams

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