John Williams, Biografía y Discografía.

 

De formación clásica (Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco le dio clases particulares de composición), aunque, también en cierta medida interesado por la música popular y, en especial, el jazz. Estudió en la prestigiosa Escuela de Música Julliard. Al terminar su formación se trasladó a Los Ángeles y allí orientó su carrera a la música de cine. En sus primeros años trabajó como colaborador musical de personalidades de la música de cine clásico estadounidense, como Bernard Herrmann, Morris Stoloff, Adolph Deutsch, Miklos Rozsa, Alfred Newman y Franz Waxman.

Su música va desde su influencia jazzística hasta el sonido sinfónico de grandes orquestas (recuperando los métodos de clásicos del cine como Erich Wolfgang Korngold), pasando por los aires folclóricos o la música más intimista. En los años 1970 ya se desveló como una personalidad original e independiente y empezó una fulgurante carrera en la música para el cine.

Es un habitual de la música de películas de aventuras, sobre todo a partir de su colaboración, casi desde sus inicios, con Steven Spielberg (con Encuentros en la Tercera Fase, Tiburón) y con George Lucas (con la Saga de La Guerra de las Galaxias), lo que ayudó a que obtuviera fama en los años 1970 y 1980, no decayendo ésta en los 1990. Actualmente sigue componiendo para el cine, a pesar que anunció en 1993, tras La lista de Schindler, que se retiraba.

De 1980 a 1993, fue director principal de la Boston Pops Orchestra. Aún mantiene lazos cercanos con los Pops y con la Orquesta Sinfónica de Boston (BSO), con quien también ha trabajado, especialmente en el Symphony Hall de Boston.

Williams ha hecho caso al consejo que le dieron dos grandes músicos como Bernard Herrmann y Miklos Rozsa para que no sólo compusiera música para el cine sino también música de concierto fuera de la pantalla. Ha compuesto varios trabajos como la Fanfarria Olímpica y otras músicas para los Juegos Olímpicos de Los Ángeles (1984) y los Juegos Olímpicos de Atlanta (1996). Entre sus obras de música para la sala sinfónica se encuentran varios conciertos (flauta, violín, trompeta, tuba, cello y fagot). Uno de ellos, el de cello, fue compuesto gracias la amistad que entabló con el violoncellista Yo-Yo Ma en la grabación de su banda sonora para Siete años en el Tibet, y se lo dedicó al propio Ma.

También es un excelente pianista (en varios temas para películas, incluye pequeños solos, así como un puñado de grabaciones clásicas). Actualmente ha finalizado sus bandas sonoras para las películas de Spielberg y Marshall (Munich y Memorias de una Geisha), obteniendo sendas nominaciones a los Oscar del 2005.

En su carrera cinematográfica ha recibido cuarenta y cinco nominaciones a los oscars tanto a la música adaptada, original o a la canción, obteniéndolo en cinco ocasiones.

Su relacion con George y Lucas Steven Spielberg eran muy frecuente ya que la mayor parte de la banda sonora de sus peliculas las creo John Williams.

Discografía de John Williams.

1. "Untitled Star Wars TV Series" (2009) TV Series (in production) (composer: theme "Star Wars")
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010) (announced) (composer: theme "Harry Potter")
3. Superman: The Man of Steel (2009) (announced) (composer: original themes)
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008) (pre-production) (composer: theme "Harry Potter")
5. Jurassic Park IV (2008) (pre-production) (composer: themes)
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) (completed) (composer: theme "Harry Potter")

7. "Meet the Press" (composer) (3 episodes, 2006)   
8. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) (conductor)
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) (composer: theme "Harry Potter") (uncredited)
10. War of the Worlds (2005) (conductor)
11. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) (conductor)
12. "Jack & Bobby" (2004) TV Series (composer) (unknown episodes)
13. Empire of Dreams: The Story of the ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy (2004) (TV) (conductor)
14. World’s Finest (2004) (composer: theme "Superman")
15. The Terminal (2004) (conductor)
16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) (conductor)
17. The Revamping of Dracula (2004) (V) (conductor)
18. Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb (2003) (VG) (composer: theme music)
19. Catch Me If You Can (2002) (conductor)
20. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) (conductor)
21. Broken Allegiance (2002) (composer: theme "Star Wars")
22. The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002) (TV) (orchestrator)
23. Live at the Shrine! John Williams and the World Premiere of ‘E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial’: The 20th Anniversary (2002) (V) (conductor)
24. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) (conductor) (uncredited)
25. Jurassic Park III (2001) (composer: themes)
26. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) (conductor) (music producer)
27. Star Wars: Episode I – The Gungan Frontier (1999) (VG) (conductor)
28. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) (VG) (conductor)
29. Saving Private Ryan (1998) (conductor) (uncredited) (music producer) (uncredited)
30. Half Baked (1998) (composer: theme "Jaws")
31. Seven Years in Tibet (1997) (conductor) (uncredited) (music producer) (uncredited)
32. Rosewood (1997) (music producer: "The Town Burns")
33. Centennial Olympic Games: Torch Relay Opening Ceremonies (1996) (TV) (conductor)
34. Sabrina (1995) (conductor)
35. Schindler’s List (1993) (conductor) (music producer)
36. Home Alone (1990) (music producer: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas")

37. "Superman" (composer) (1 episode, 1988)
38. The Witches of Eastwick (1987) (conductor)
39. "Amazing Stories" (composer) (43 episodes, 1985-1987)
40. Jaws (1987) (VG) (composer: theme "Jaws 2")
41. Indiana Jones in Revenge of the Ancients (1987) (VG) (composer: theme music)
42. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) (composer: other original music)
43. From ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Jedi’: The Making of a Saga (1985) (V) (composer: theme "Star Wars")
44. Letter to Brezhnev (1985) (gofer)
45. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1985) (VG) (composer: theme music)
46. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) (conductor) (music arranger: songs) (music producer) (uncredited)
47. Aliens from Another Planet (1982) (TV) (composer: theme music) (as Johnny Williams)
48. SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (TV) (composer: theme "Star Wars")
49. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (conductor) (music producer) (uncredited)
50. The Making of ‘Star Wars’ (1977) (TV) (composer: theme "Star Wars")
51. Star Wars (1977) (additional orchestrator) (uncredited) (conductor) (uncredited)
52. Midway (1976) (conductor)
53. The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976) (TV) (musical director)
54. Jaws (1975) (conductor) (uncredited)
55. The Sugarland Express (1974) (conductor: "The Eyes of Texas") (uncredited)
56. Tom Sawyer (1973) (conductor) (music supervisor)
57. Images (1972) (orchestrator) (uncredited)
58. Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (conductor) (music adaptor) (orchestrator)
59. "Land of the Giants" (composer) (50 episodes, 1968-1970)
60. Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) (conductor) (music supervisor)
61. Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting (1969) (conductor)
62. "Lost in Space" (composer) (79 episodes, 1965-1968)
63. Valley of the Dolls (1967) (musical director)
64. "The Time Tunnel" (composer) (14 episodes, 1966-1967)
65. The Great Race (1965) (musician: piano) (uncredited)
66. Stark Fear (1962) (composer: party music)
67. Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man (1962) (musician: piano) (as Johnny Williams)
68. Studs Lonigan (1960) (musician) (uncredited)

69. Gidget (1959) (orchestrator) (as John Williams Jr.)
70. City of Fear (1959) (musician) (uncredited)
71. "Peter Gunn" (1958) TV Series (musician) (unknown episodes)
72. South Pacific (1958) (musician: piano) (uncredited)

Compositor

1. Interstellar (2009) (announced)
2. Lincoln (2009) (pre-production)
3. Fourth Installment of the Indiana Jones Adventures (2008) (pre-production)

4. You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006) (V)
5. Munich (2005)
6. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
7. War of the Worlds (2005)
8. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
9. The Terminal (2004)
10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
11. Once Upon a Jedi (2004)
12. Declaration of Independence (2003) (V)
13. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
14. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
15. Minority Report (2002)
16. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
18. Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
19. John Williams: The Music of ‘Jaws 2′ (2001) (V)
20. The Patriot (2000)
21. The Unfinished Journey (1999)
22. Angela’s Ashes (1999)
23. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
24. Stepmom (1998)
25. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
26. Amistad (1997)
27. Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
28. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
29. Rosewood (1997)
30. Sleepers (1996)
31. Nixon (1995)
32. Sabrina (1995)
33. Schindler’s List (1993)
34. Jurassic Park (1993)
35. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
36. Far and Away (1992)
37. Amazing Stories: Book One (1992) (V) (segment "The Mission")
38. JFK (1991)
39. Hook (1991)
40. Home Alone (1990)
41. Presumed Innocent (1990)
42. Stanley & Iris (1990)

43. Always (1989)
44. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
45. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
46. The Accidental Tourist (1988)
47. Empire of the Sun (1987)
48. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
49. SpaceCamp (1986)
50. "Amazing Stories" (2 episodes, 1985)
51. The River (1984)
52. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
53. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
54. Monsignor (1982)
55. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
56. Heartbeeps (1981)
57. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
58. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
59. 1941 (1979)
60. Dracula (1979)
61. Superman (1978)
62. Jaws 2 (1978)
63. The Fury (1978)
64. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
65. Star Wars (1977)
66. Black Sunday (1977)
67. Midway (1976)
68. The Missouri Breaks (1976)
69. Family Plot (1976)
70. Jaws (1975)
71. The Eiger Sanction (1975)
72. The Towering Inferno (1974)
73. Earthquake (1974)
74. The Sugarland Express (1974)
75. Conrack (1974)
76. "The Cowboys" (1974) TV Series (unknown episodes)
77. Cinderella Liberty (1973)
78. The Paper Chase (1973)
79. The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973)
80. The Long Goodbye (1973)
81. Pete ‘n’ Tillie (1972) (as John T. Williams)
82. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
83. Images (1972)
84. The Screaming Woman (1972) (TV)
85. The Cowboys (1972)
86. Jane Eyre (1970) (TV)
87. Storia di una donna (1970)
88. "NBC Nightly News" (1970) TV Series (unknown episodes)

89. The Reivers (1969)
90. Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
91. Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting (1969)
92. "CBS Playhouse" (1 episode, 1968)
93. "Land of the Giants" (1 episode, 1968)
94. Sergeant Ryker (1968)
95. Fitzwilly (1967) (as Johnny Williams)
96. Valley of the Dolls (1967)
97. Ghostbreakers (1967) (TV)
98. A Guide for the Married Man (1967) (as Johnny Williams)
99. Penelope (1966) (as Johnny Williams)
100. Not with My Wife, You Don’t! (1966) (as Johnny Williams)
101. "The Tammy Grimes Show" (1966) TV Series (unknown episodes)
102. The Plainsman (1966) (as Johnny Williams)
103. How to Steal a Million (1966) (as Johnny Williams)
104. "The Kraft Summer Music Hall" (1966) TV Series (unknown episodes)
105. "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" (2 episodes, 1965-1966)
106. The Rare Breed (1966) (as Johnny Williams)
107. "Lost in Space" (4 episodes, 1965)
108. "Gilligan’s Island" (20 episodes, 1962-1965)
109. John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1965)
110. None But the Brave (1965) (as Johnny Williams)
111. The Katherine Reed Story (1965)
112. The Killers (1964) (as Johnny Williams)
113. Nightmare in Chicago (1964) (TV)
114. "Kraft Suspense Theatre" (3 episodes, 1963-1964)
115. Gilligan’s Island: Marooned (1964) (TV) (as Johnny Williams)
116. "Wagon Train" (1 episode, 1963)
117. Gidget Goes to Rome (1963) (as Johnny Williams)
118. Diamond Head (1963)
119. "Alcoa Premiere" (1 episode, 1962)
120. "Empire" (1962) TV Series (unknown episodes)
121. "The Wide Country" (1962) TV Series (unknown episodes)
122. Bachelor Flat (1962)
123. "Kraft Mystery Theater" (1961) TV Series (unknown episodes)
124. The Secret Ways (1961) (as Johnny Williams)
125. "Checkmate" (1960) TV Series (unknown episodes)
126. Because They’re Young (1960)
127. I Passed for White (1960)

128. Daddy-O (1958)
129. "M Squad" (1957) TV Series (unknown episodes)
130. "Bachelor Father" (1957) TV Series (unknown episodes)
131. My Gun Is Quick (1957) (uncredited)
132. "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957) TV Series (unknown episodes)
133. "Playhouse 90" (1956) TV Series (unknown episodes)
134. "Today" (1952) TV Series (unknown episodes, 1985)