John Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Williams
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Williams in 2024
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John Towner Williams
February 8, 1932 New York City, U.S.
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| Years active | 1952–present |
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Works
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List of compositions |
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| Children | 3, including Joseph |
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John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932) is a famous American composer and conductor. He has written some of the most well-known and loved movie music in history. You've probably heard his music in movies like Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Harry Potter. He has worked with famous directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for many years.
John Williams has a special way of mixing different music styles. He blends romantic, impressionistic, and even some unusual sounds. This creates a unique and powerful orchestral sound. He has received many awards, including 5 Academy Awards and 26 Grammy Awards. With 54 Oscar nominations, he is the second most nominated person in Academy Award history, after Walt Disney! He is also the oldest person ever nominated for an Oscar, at 92 years old.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Growing Up with Music
John Towner Williams was born in New York City on February 8, 1932. His father, Johnny Williams, was a jazz drummer. John grew up surrounded by music. He even sometimes joined his dad at music rehearsals!
In 1948, his family moved to Los Angeles. John went to North Hollywood High School. He later studied music at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also took private lessons from a famous Italian composer, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
Serving in the Air Force
In 1951, John Williams joined the U.S. Air Force. He played the piano and bass in the United States Air Force Band. He also helped arrange music for the band. He served for three years, playing music as part of his duties.
Becoming a Pianist and Composer
After the Air Force, Williams moved to New York City. He studied piano at the famous Juilliard. He first wanted to be a concert pianist. But after hearing other amazing pianists, he decided to focus on composing. He realized he was better at writing music than playing it. During this time, he also played piano in jazz clubs.
Composing for the Big Screen
Early Movie Music
After his studies, Williams returned to Los Angeles. He began working in film studios as an orchestrator. This means he helped arrange music for other composers. He worked with famous composers like Bernard Herrmann.
Williams also played piano as a session musician for many film scores. He played on scores by Henry Mancini, including the famous Peter Gunn theme. He also played for the movie West Side Story (1961). In his early career, he was sometimes known as Johnny Williams. He even released some jazz albums under that name.
Williams wrote his first film music in 1954. It was for a promotional film. His first full movie score was for Daddy-O (1958). He also wrote music for TV shows like Lost in Space and Land of the Giants. His music for Valley of the Dolls (1967) earned him his first Oscar nomination. He won his first Oscar for Fiddler on the Roof (1971).
Working with Steven Spielberg
John Williams's music for movies like The Reivers (1969) and The Cowboys (1972) impressed a young director named Steven Spielberg. Spielberg asked Williams to compose music for his first big movie, The Sugarland Express (1974).
Their next movie together was Jaws (1975). Williams created the famous two-note theme for the shark. Spielberg first thought it was a joke because it was so simple! But Williams explained that simple ideas are often the best. This music won Williams his second Oscar. It has become a well-known sound for danger.
Spielberg and Williams then worked on Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Williams created a special five-note musical phrase. This phrase was used in the movie as a way for humans to talk to aliens. It was a musical conversation!
Williams also wrote the exciting music for the Indiana Jones movies (1981–2023). He created the famous "Raiders March" theme for Indiana Jones. Spielberg said that Jones "listened carefully to the Raiders score" to know when to run or duck!
For Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Williams wrote a soaring score. It won him his fourth Oscar. Spielberg loved the music for the final chase scene so much that he changed the movie's editing to match the music!
Another important movie was Schindler's List (1993). Williams was so moved by the film that he felt he wasn't good enough to score it. Spielberg replied, "I know, but they're all dead." Williams asked famous violinist Itzhak Perlman to play the main theme. This score won Williams his fifth Oscar.
Williams has scored almost all of Spielberg's movies. This includes Jurassic Park (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Catch Me If You Can (2002), and The Fabelmans (2022). Their partnership is one of the most famous in movie history.
The Magic of Star Wars and Harry Potter
Steven Spielberg suggested John Williams to his friend George Lucas. Lucas needed music for his space adventure, Star Wars (1977). Williams created a grand orchestral score. It was inspired by classical music. The Star Wars theme is one of the most recognized pieces of music in film history. The score was a huge success and won Williams another Oscar.
Williams continued to score the Star Wars movies. For The Empire Strikes Back (1980), he introduced "The Imperial March" for Darth Vader. He also wrote themes for Yoda and Han Solo. He scored all three original Star Wars films and all three prequel films. For The Phantom Menace, he wrote "Duel of the Fates", which used a choir and Sanskrit lyrics. He also scored the recent sequel trilogy, ending with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Williams also composed the music for the first three Harry Potter films (2001–2004). His most famous theme from these movies is "Hedwig's Theme". This magical tune is now strongly linked to the Harry Potter world. It was even used in the later films, even though Williams didn't score them.
Other Famous Film and TV Works
Williams has scored many other popular films. These include Superman (1978), where the music makes you feel like you can fly! He also scored the first two Home Alone films (1990–1992). For television, he composed "The Mission" theme, which is still used by NBC News today.
Beyond Movies: Concerts and Conducting
Besides movies, John Williams has written many classical pieces for orchestras and solo instruments. He has composed concertos for flute, violin, cello, and trumpet.
Leading the Boston Pops
From 1980 to 1993, Williams was the main conductor of the famous Boston Pops Orchestra. He led the orchestra in many concerts, including their popular Holiday Pops season. He is now their laureate conductor, meaning he still works with them often. He conducts an annual Film Night concert, playing his famous movie scores.
Williams also conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl every year. In 2009, he composed Air and Simple Gifts for the first inauguration of President Barack Obama. This piece was played by famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.
In recent years, Williams has conducted major orchestras around the world. He has led the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. In 2020, his album John Williams in Vienna became the bestselling orchestral album of the year.
Awards and Legacy
John Williams is considered one of the most important film composers ever. His music has inspired many other composers. The Boston Globe called him "the most successful composer of film music in the history of the medium."
Williams has been nominated for 54 Academy Awards, winning five. He has also won 26 Grammy Awards, 7 BAFTA Awards, and 4 Golden Globe Awards. He holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person.
In 2004, he received a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2009, he received the National Medal of the Arts from the President of the United States. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II made him an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his services to film music.
John Williams's music is loved by millions around the world. His themes are instantly recognizable and have become a huge part of movie history. He continues to compose and conduct, sharing his incredible talent with new generations.
Personal Life
In 1956, John Williams married actress and singer Barbara Ruick. They had three children: Jennifer, Mark, and Joseph. Joseph is known as the lead singer of the band Toto. Barbara passed away in 1974. In 1980, Williams married Samantha Winslow, a photographer.
Concert Works
Concertos
- 1969: Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
- 1974: Violin Concerto No. 1
- 1985: Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra
- 1991: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra
- 1993: Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, The Five Sacred Trees
- 1994: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
- 1996: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
- 1997: Elegy for Cello and Orchestra
- 2000: TreeSong for Violin and Orchestra
- 2002: Heartwood: Lyric Sketches for Cello and Orchestra
- 2002: Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (adapted from the Catch Me If You Can film score)
- 2003: Concerto for Horn and Orchestra
- 2009: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
- 2009: On Willows and Birches, for Harp and Orchestra
- 2011: Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra
- 2014: Scherzo for Piano and Orchestra
- 2017: Markings for Violin, Strings and Harp
- 2018: Highwood's Ghost, An Encounter for Cello, Harp and Orchestra
- 2021: Violin Concerto No. 2
Other Orchestral Works
- 1965: Prelude and Fugue
- 1965: Symphony no. 1
- 1965: Essay for Strings
- 1968: Sinfonietta for Wind Ensemble
- 1975: Thomas and the King – Musical
- 1980: Jubilee 350 Fanfare
- 1984: Olympic Fanfare & Theme
- 1986: Liberty Fanfare
- 1987: A Hymn to New England
- 1988: Fanfare for Michael Dukakis
- 1988: For New York
- 1990: Celebrate Discovery
- 1993: Sound the Bells!
- 1994: Song for World Peace
- 1995: Variations on Happy Birthday
- 1999: American Journey
- 2003: Soundings
- 2007: Star Spangled Banner
- 2008: A Timeless Call
- 2012: Fanfare for Fenway
- 2012: Seven for Luck for soprano and orchestra
- 2013: For 'The President's Own'
- 2014: Star Spangled Banner
- 2021: Overture to the Oscars
- 2022: Centennial Overture
- 2023: Of Grit and Glory
Chamber Works
- 1951: Sonata for Piano
- 1997: Elegy for Cello and Piano
- 2001: Three Pieces for Solo Cello
- 2007: Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola
- 2009: Air and Simple Gifts for violin, cello, clarinet and piano
- 2011: Quartet La Jolla for violin, cello, clarinet and harp
- 2012: Rounds for solo guitar
- 2013: Conversations for solo piano
- 2014: Music for Brass for Brass Ensemble and Percussion
Discography
Charting Hit Singles (U.S., Billboard)
| Year | Title | Billboard | Billboard
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| 1975 | Main Title (Theme from "Jaws") | 32 | 22 |
| 1977 | Star Wars (Main Title) | 10 | 4 |
| 1978 | Theme from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" | 13 | 13 |
See also
In Spanish: John Williams (compositor) para niños
- List of compositions by John Williams
- Music by John Williams, a documentary film about him
- Music of Harry Potter
- Music of Star Wars
- Music of Superman
