John Williams and Ken-David Masur Conduct the NY Philharmonic (Steven Spielberg, Special Guest) – UPDATED with New Review and Photos – JOHN WILLIAMS Fan Network

“SPRING GALA: CELEBRATING JOHN WILLIAMS”
April 25, 2023, New York, NY
New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ken-David Masur and JOHN WILLIAMS
Steven Spielberg, special guest

Program notes (pdf)

CONCERT PROGRAM

Conducted by Ken-David Masur

* with film projection

Superman March *
Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Dear Basketball *
Throne Room and Finale from Star Wars
The Cave Sequence from Raiders of the Lost Ark *
Theme from Jurassic Park *
Finale from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial *

ENCORES

Conducted by John Williams

Theme from Schindler’s List
The Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back

(Filmed for the upcoming John Williams documentary)

REVIEWS

EXTERNAL REVIEWS

RogerEbert.com – The most animated part of the concert was when Spielberg wanted to demonstrate what his movies would look and feel like without Williams, whom he called “the maestro of maestros, my storytelling partner, my dearest friend.” The audience got a taste of it with the cave sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark, involving the infamous sandbag and rolling rock but no music whatsoever. “John comes in. There is dialogue and sound effects but no music. So now you’ll get to experience what John experiences.” As the sequence played on, Spielberg continued, “[When I] showed this to George Lucas, he said, ‘We gotta get Johnny!’” Naturally, the difference was night and day when the same clip replayed, this time with its musical cues intact. – Full article (includes photos)

JWFAN REVIEWS

Report by ‘JohnnyD’ (original post)

It was such a great concert. This is the first time I saw Steven Spielberg live and in-person. He introduced The Cave Sequence from Raiders of the Lost Ark, as well as Theme from Jurassic Park and the Finale from E.T. The Maestro himself conducted the Theme from Schindler’s List (introduced by Mr. Spielberg), Raiders March, and The Imperial March. What a thrill and honor. I can’t wait to attend the Carnegie Hall concert next year!

Report by ‘Foxfan’ (original post)

It’s now been almost 20 years since I first saw him in Boston! Every musical moment in his company is a gift no recording can replicate!

The tension with which he conducted Schindler’s List this evening was remarkable. The orchestra responded with necessary rubato to every gesture during that piece, no matter how slight. This was truly the highlight of the night.

Report by ‘rpvee’ (original post)

What a night! I was front row furthest to the left, which unexpectedly meant that when Williams left his seat to take the stage, he walked right past me! We locked eyes a couple times as he came and went from the stage. You can see him walk past me in the fourth slide of this post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cre691GO90G/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The music was lovely as ever, the live-to-picture parts being especially fun and the pieces conducted by the Maestro himself the ultimate highlights of the evening. And it was indeed strange seeing him without his glasses! lol. I also don’t think Williams actually said a word to the audience.

PHOTOS

Photo credit: Chris Lee (More at RogerEbert.com)