“John Williams In Vienna” features the legendary composer’s historic debut concert with the Vienna Philharmonic, conducting them for the very first time. Before a single note had been played in the Musikverein, Maestro Williams received a standing ovation and told the audience that the invitation to work with the Vienna Philharmonic was “one of the greatest honours of my life”.

The Hollywood legend and the world-famous orchestra, joined by violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, performed iconic themes from cinematic landmarks including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. The legendary American composer’s movie soundtracks are among the best-loved of all time and have received countless prestigious awards, including five Oscars, five Emmys, four Golden Globes and twenty-five Grammys.

Mutter captivated the Musikverein audience with a series of the virtuosic arrangements written specially for her by Williams, including ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from the Harry Potter films, ‘Devil’s Dance’ from The Witches Of Eastwick and the Theme from Sabrina. The conductor and the violinist formed their artistic partnership last year for their album Across The Stars, featuring many new arrangements of John Williams’ iconic movie themes for violin and orchestra.

John Williams admitted he’d been unsure how the Vienna Philharmonic would adapt to playing his music. “I couldn’t have been more happily surprised,” he said after their concerts. “I have to compliment the orchestra on their great virtuosity and fantastic ability to perform all styles of music.” During rehearsals the Vienna Philharmonic’s brass players asked John Williams if they could add the ‘Imperial March’ from Star Wars to the programme. “It was honestly one of the best presentations of that March I’ve ever heard”, Williams reflected afterwards. “They played it as though they owned it and I felt very grateful to them for giving me a chance to play it at the end of our programme.”

John Williams

THE FLIGHT TO NEVERLAND
from HOOK

EXCERPTS
from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND

HEDWIG’S THEME
from HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE

THEME
from SABRINA

DONNYBROOK FAIR
from FAR AND AWAY

DEVIL’S DANCE
from THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK

ADVENTURES ON EARTH
from E.T.

THEME
from JURASSIC PARK

DARTMOOR, 1912
from WAR HORSE

OUT TO SEA | THE SHARK CAGE FUGUE
from JAWS

MARION’S THEME
from INDIANA JONES – RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

THE REBELLION IS REBORN
from STAR WARS – THE LAST JEDI

LUKE & LEIA
from STAR WARS – RETURN OF THE JEDI

MAIN THEME
from STAR WARS

THEME
from CINDERELLA LIBERTY

THE DUEL
from THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

REMEMBRANCES
from SCHINDLER’S LIST

RAIDERS MARCH
from RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

IMPERIAL MARCH
from STAR WARS

 
Wiener Philharmoniker
John Williams, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin