‘JOHN WILLIAMS WITH YO-YO MA’
February 22, 2024, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
The Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by JOHN WILLIAMS and Stéphane Denève
Yo-Yo Ma, cello *
CONCERT PROGRAM
Conducted by Stéphane Denève
- Just Down West Street … on the left
First Philadelphia Orchestra performance - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra *
I. Theme and Cadenza
II. Blues
III. Scherzo
IV. Song
ENCORE
- Theme from Schindler’s List *
INTERMISSION
Conducted by John Williams
- Olympic Fanfare and Theme
- Excerpts from The Book Thief
- Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
First Philadelphia Orchestra performance - Marion’s Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark
- The Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Princess Leia’s Theme from Star Wars
- Adventures on Earth from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
ENCORES
- Helena’s Theme from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
- Main Title from Star Wars
- The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back
REVIEWS
EXTERNAL REVIEWS
- Broadway World – This reviewer was overwhelmed by the memories from and enjoyment of these renowned works of the genius that is John Williams. Yes, this one man has brought so many people so much joy through his music composition- what a national treasure! When at last John Williams left the stage at Carnegie Hall, theatergoers were still giving him a standing ovation with what seemed to be never-ending applause. – Full review
JWFAN REVIEWS
Report by ‘rpvee’ (original post)
Another truly wonderful evening! Not much to add since I covered this same program in my post about the Philly concert, but Williams was again in amazing spirits, even widely smiling at the orchestra while conducting. He couldn’t remember Mark Hamill’s name, referring only to Carrie Fisher’s screen “partner”, but that’s literally my only nitpick beyond again lamenting the missed opportunity of having Williams conduct Yo-Yo Ma himself.
Beyond that, nothing but great energy from the stage and the audience, and in an iconic and historic venue that Williams highly praised when he began the second half of the program (even theorizing there are ghosts in the Hall that dance and play music when it’s empty after performances).
I guess for now, this is it until Tanglewood for East Coast-ers. August feels so far away, but I’m sure it’ll be here before we all know it! Until then, grateful as ever to the living legend that is Maestro John Williams for countless priceless musical memories, from the first note of the first piece to the famous “sleepy hands”, and everything in between.
PHOTOS
Photos by ‘rpvee’
Photos by ‘Potterhead’:
