Conducted by St\u00e9phane Den\u00e8ve<\/strong><\/p>\n INTERMISSION<\/p>\n Conducted by John Williams<\/strong><\/p>\n ENCORES<\/p>\n REVIEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n JWFAN REVIEWS<\/p>\n Review by AOP<\/strong> (original post<\/a>)<\/p>\n Having been extremely fortunate to see John Williams conduct live in concert three times in the last year (once in LA, once in Milan, and now in Tokyo), l\u2019d have to say that last night\u2019s concert was my favorite.<\/p>\n As this was JW\u2019s first visit to Japan in 30 years, excitement levels and expectations were understandably high. This was evident as soon as I arrived at Suntory Hall on a brutally humid Tuesday evening in Tokyo. You could feel the anticipation in the air, and you could see, in each and everyone\u2019s faces, that they knew they were here to experience something special and truly historic. People certainly dressed up for the occasion (myself included!), so it wasn\u2019t unusual to see people in kimonos and tuxedos despite the blistering hot summer weather.<\/p>\n As the auditorium lights dimmed to signify the beginning of the concert, the conductor for the first half, St\u00e9phane Den\u00e8ve, walked out onto the stage to rapturous applause. He started off with an amusing joke \u2013 his interpreter (who was a cellist in the orchestra), opened in English with \u201cLadies and Gentlemen,\u201d to which Den\u00e8ve translated into Japanese! After the laughter died down, Den\u00e8ve switched to English (with his charming French accent!) and explained the program for the night as well as some brief thoughts on Seiji Ozawa and John Williams.<\/p>\n \u201cSound the Bells!\u201d kicked off the concert with its rousing array of brass melodies and sounds. From where I was sitting behind the orchestra, I could clearly see the tubular chimes which sounded crystal clear. I honestly never warmed up to this piece until I heard it live last night.<\/p>\n This was followed by \u201cTributes! (for Seiji),\u201d a piece written by Williams for Ozawa. This was a long and less melodic piece than JW\u2019s more popular works, but it was great hearing this rare piece live. It\u2019s unfortunate that Ozawa was not on stage to enjoy the music.<\/p>\n A suite from \u201cFar and Away\u201d came next with its jaunty Irish sounds and spirit. It was an excellent piece that well received the audience.<\/p>\n Then came E.T.<\/em>, the music many people had been waiting for. Starting with the piccolo solo in \u201cThree million light years from home,\u201d the audience was immediately spellbound by this masterwork of composition. It was then that I heard a familiar but unexpected sound\u2026 the pipe organ! I then turned to the huge pipe organ not far from me and I saw a young organist play the mysterious opening lines to this incredible piece. I most certainly had the feels (as young people would say!), and was left fixed on the pipe organ parts for the remainder of the piece.<\/p>\n Stunning is the only word that can be used to describe the night\u2019s performance of \u201cStargazers.\u201d What an incredibly moving, incredibly perfect piece. The delicate harp, the sweet caress of the strings, the yearning flute\u2026 it was gorgeously dream-like. The audience was dead quiet during the entire piece \u2013 in fact, it felt like we were all holding our breath, hanging on to every phrase and every gesture from the orchestra, not wanting to spoil the mood, the magic. When the final notes played in to silence, the audience remained quiet for what seemed like minutes, but was in reality only a few seconds. We then collectively wiped a tear (or two), cleared our throats, and got ready for the next assault on our emotions.<\/p>\n The \u201cFlying theme\u201d is probably, next to the Star Wars<\/em> theme, one of the most well-known JW pieces among Japanese fans. And boy, did it not disappoint under the commanding baton of Den\u00e8ve! This piece just soared under the Saito Kinen Orchestra and had the audience in raptures during the finale. And that ended the sensational first half of the concert.<\/p>\n The feeling of anticipation had by now reached fever point with the knowledge JW would soon be gracing the stage.<\/p>\n As the lights once again dimmed and the audience quietened down, the volume immediately jumped to 11 as John Williams, the undisputed GOAT of film music, stepped onto the stage to the adulation and applause of over 2,000 star-truck fans. We were all on our feet cheering, professing our love for the man and his music, and hungry to hear his first piece at the podium. Before that, JW quickly talked about how honoured he was to be there, how Japan had changed in the last 30 years, and how much love and respect he had for his dear friend, Seiji Ozawa. He then explained that the Japanese translation of the word \u201cSuperman\u201d was \u201cSeiji Ozawa,\u201d which drew thunderous approval from the audience.<\/p>\n And thus began the second half with the iconic march from Superman<\/em>. Expertly performed with passion, it set the tone for the rest of the night.<\/p>\n The Harry Potter<\/em> suite came next, and I suspect many had come to hear this with JW at the podium. The suite was beautifully performed and didn\u2019t sound too different from previous concert performances.<\/p>\n Without any introductory words from JW, the familiar strains of Schindler\u2019s List<\/em> began to fill the auditorium and we were treated to a precise and impassioned violin solo. From where I was sitting behind the orchestra, it was somewhat difficult to absorb the full sound and feel of the solo, but luckily it was well-captured in DGs video recording on Stage+.<\/p>\n It was now time for select pieces from Star Wars<\/em> to shine. I honestly would have preferred \u201cMarch of the Resistance\u201d or \u201cThe Asteroid Field,\u201d but we were treated to a fine performance of \u201cThe Rebellion is Reborn.\u201d This was followed by \u201cPrincess Leia\u2019s Theme\u201d which was one of the highlights of the evening for me. The flautist absolutely nailed his solos which were gorgeously complimented by the French horn parts. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!<\/p>\n The final piece for the main program was the \u201cFinale & Throne Room,\u201d which was performed with such gusto and passion that it permeated an infectious energy and drive.<\/p>\n This was followed by JW\u2019s second standing ovation for the night before he signaled \u201cone more\u201d to the audience for his first encore, which was \u201cYoda\u2019s theme.\u201d \u201cThe Raiders March\u201d came next with the night ending with \u201cThe Imperial March.\u201d Except JW didn\u2019t call it that \u2013 he just turned to the audience and said, \u201cDarth Vader,\u201d to which the audience went nuts!<\/p>\n As soon as that ended, everyone in the audience got on their feet and gave JW the most enthusiastic standing ovation that I have ever seen\u2026 and I\u2019ve been to a lot of film music concerts! Surely, we were clapping away for close to 15 minutes \u2013 first for Williams, then the Saito Kinen Orchestra. What was clearly apparent was the audience\u2019s mutual love for John Williams and his music, and our deep appreciation to the Saito Kinen Orchestra for bringing his timeless music to life. My hands were truly numb by the end of night, but I just didn\u2019t want it to end\u2026<\/p>\n Going home that night and processing what I had just seen, heard, and experienced, only solidified my belief that John Williams is the GOAT of film music – I doubt anybody could argue with that.<\/p>\n PHOTOS<\/strong><\/p>\n (Source: Universal Music Japan<\/a>)<\/p>\n VIDEOS<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A post shared by STAGE+ (@stageplusmusic)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nThree Million Light Years from Home
\nStargazers
\nFlying Theme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nHedwig\u2019s Theme
\nFawkes the Phoenix
\nHarry\u2019s Wondrous World<\/li>\n
\nThe Rebellion is Reborn
\nPrincess Leia\u2019s Theme
\nThrone Room & Finale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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