John Williams

Classical Album of the Week: The LA Philharmonic Plays Movie Music by John Williams

By • Jul 24, 2019

July 22, 2019. Two musical forces of nature join together in a live performance of fantasy, adventure and romance. Our WRTI Classical Album of the Week and Film at Five weekday feature combine in this powerful Deutsche Grammophon album, Celebrating John Williams.

The Allentown Band: Marches And More for Nearly 200 Years!

By • Jul 26, 2018

The Allentown Band's first documented performance was July 4th, 1828. Almost two centuries later, the ensemble is going strong, playing old favorites, connecting with the community, and looking to the future. WRTI's Susan Lewis spoke with the Band's longtime conductor and music director, Ronald Demkee. 

Classical Album of the Week: John Williams At The Movies, Jerry Junkin and The Dallas Winds

By Jack Moore • Jul 18, 2018

July 16, 2018. The music of John Williams pops up everywhere—at the movies, in the concert hall, and on recordings. This latest album is a special collection: the performing ensemble is a virtuoso wind band that plays as though the music was written for them.

What You Don't Know About The Iconic Olympic Theme Song

By Griffin Harrison • Feb 22, 2018

If you watch the Olympic Games, surely you recognize the heroic “Olympic Anthem” that’s played on TV. But do you know the story behind this piece of music? Who composed it? How did it become so iconic? Well, here’s the inside scoop…

John Williams, Classical Guitar's Standard-Bearer, Still Recording In Retirement

By • Dec 27, 2017

Classical guitarist John Williams reached millions of ears and even hit the charts when he played the main theme to the Oscar-winning 1978 film The Deer Hunter. But by then, Williams was already a classical star on a major record label who'd toured the world many times over.

He released his latest album, On The Wing, earlier this year. And although he announced a retirement from touring a few years ago, he's now 76 and still plays every day.

"But I love doing it so it's not a problem," he says.

40 Years Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away, An Iconic Film Score Was Born

By • May 25, 2017

How is this for a first day on the job: Maurice Murphy, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)'s late principal trumpet player, spent his very first day with the orchestra recording Star Wars' iconic opening theme, with its incredible brass fanfare — and Murphy leading the trumpets.

Turning Verizon Hall into a Movie Palace

By David Patrick Stearns • Dec 19, 2016

It’s a world with a language of its own. The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall is being converted into a movie palace—with all of the broad audience appeal implied—but with key differences.

The Philadelphians on WRTI: Beethoven’s 7th, John Williams, Ravel's Pavane: Nov. 6 at 1 PM

By • Oct 31, 2016
Credit: Benjamin Ealovega

Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony highlights The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert re-broadcast on WRTI this Sunday, November 6th at 1 pm, but there’s so much more. The Violin Concerto of John Williams and Ravel’s well-loved Pavane round out a brilliant program conducted by the Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève.

Another Side to Film Composer John Williams

By • Oct 31, 2016

John Williams, so famous for his award-winning film scores including Jaws, Star Wars, and Schindler’s List, wrote a violin concerto that transcends the personal story behind it. WRTI’s Susan Lewis has more.

Yo-Yo Ma and The Philadelphia Orchestra LIVE on WRTI: Tribute to John Williams, May 1st at 2 PM

By • Apr 27, 2016

The celebrated cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma kicks off a two-week Philadelphia Orchestra celebration of John Williams' music for concert hall and film this week, and Sunday’s concert will be broadcast LIVE at 2 PM here on WRTI.

The centerpiece of this program will be John Williams’ Cello Concerto, written specifically for Yo-Yo Ma, at the suggestion of Seiji Ozawa.

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