Here is a question for you.
Which composer has written the most film scores?
Answer: I don't know.
But I do know that John Williams has received more Oscar nominations than any other individual and has written the scores for over 100 still well-known films, several of which have received top awards.
He has not only made more money from composing than any other film composer: he has also made more than all of the others put together.
Here are a few films which have featured his music:
The Harry Potter movies
The Star Wars movies
The Superman movies
The Indiana Jones movies
E.T.
The Jaws movies
Schindler's List
Angela's Ashes
The music sounds terrific in the films, but even more enjoyable when you listen to it without the dialogue, sound effects and film distracting you from discovering its beauty.
When we lived in the Blue Mountains I was privileged to occasionally play piano in the Penrith Symphony Orchestra. One year, we performed a Star Wars medley and as we played, I began to notice things I hadn't heard in watching the films or listening to the soundtracks.
Williams had written special themes for many of the characters in the story. In one of the excerpts which was played while Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia were together in a scene, you could hear Luke's theme (which is also the main Star Wars theme) interweaving with the themes for the other characters. Maestro Williams had cleverly created his themes so that they could be played together!
Do you remember the quirky jazzy theme which is played when there is a scene in an odd sort of cafe, with lots of odd-looking aliens whooping it up? Here is a great piano duet version to enjoy.
And this 7 minute medley presents soem of Williams' most memorable themes, with a few lesser-known, but enjoyable ones.
