Film Composers John Williams

Film Composers

John Williams (born 1932)

He was born in Floral Park, New York.

In 1952 he was drafted into the Air Force. While in the Air Force part of his duties included conducting and arranging music for the Air Force Band.

In 1954 he entered the Julliard School in New York. He also worked as a jazz pianist in many clubs and studios in New York.

His music can be considered neoromanticism. He is inspired by the large orchestral works of the late 19th century, especially the works of Richard Wagner and the concept of the leitmotif. A leitmotif in music is a musical idea that is linked to a particular character, situation or element.

Williams is best known for composing music for movies. He has been nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) 45 times and has won 5 times. The only person that has had more Academy Award nomination is Walt Disney.

He has also composed the theme music for four of the Olympic Games.

For many years he was the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

He wrote: Film Music
Olympic Music
NBC Nightly News theme music

Academy Awards winners:

Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score)
Jaws (1975) (Original Score)
Star Wars (1977) (Original Score)
E.T. (1982) (Original Score)
Schindler's List (1993) (Original Score)

Other Movies:
Jaws
Star Wars (All movies)
Harry Potter (the first 3)
Indiana Jones (All movies)
Memoirs of a Geisha
Jurassic Park
Home Alone
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Superman

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