John Williams Shot Down One Request While Filming Disney+’s Music By John Williams, But I Think His Reasoning Makes So Much Sense

John Williams Shot Down One Request While Filming Disney+’s Music By John Williams, But I Think His Reasoning Makes So Much Sense

As a lifelong fan of John Williams‘ enchanting symphonies, I was thrilled to learn about the upcoming documentary, “Music by John Williams.” Having had the privilege of speaking with director Laurent Bouzereau, I can attest that this film offers an intimate look into the life and mind of a true legend.


This week, you can stream a fresh title titled “Music by John Williams” – offering viewers a close-up look at the illustrious composer, renowned for movies such as Jaws and Schindler’s List. In this documentary, directed by Laurent Bouzereau, we delve into the personal life and creative process of the maestro, through engaging interviews with Williams. Bouzereau shared some intriguing anecdotes during the production, one of which he disclosed to TopMob – where Williams respectfully declined a request, but his reasoning was insightful indeed.

Lately, I had an intriguing conversation with Mr. Bouzereau before the launch of his new documentary. In this chat, he shared fascinating insights about his film and amusing stories from interactions with its primary figure. It was those tales that prompted the director of “Five Came Back” to disclose that he requested the renowned maestro to play the original compositions he created for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. However, as Mr. Bouzereau explained to me, the 92-year-old conductor turned down this proposal for a particular reason:

Initially, I had hoped John could play various renditions of the five notes from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as he had crafted multiple versions and sometimes even exceeded the number five. I suggested to him that it would be fascinating if he could perform these different interpretations on the piano. However, he declined, explaining that the original score is so iconic that altering it could tarnish something deeply ingrained in people’s minds. He didn’t want anyone to say that a different version might have been better or superior to the movie’s original music. Admittedly, I was a bit disheartened by his response, but he promised me that he would come up with something special instead.

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John Williams Shot Down One Request While Filming Disney+’s Music By John Williams, But I Think His Reasoning Makes So Much Sense

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One of Steven Spielberg’s most notable films, Close Encounters, boasts remarkable music and is renowned for its iconic five-note melody. In this movie, these notes symbolize how scientists communicate with a spaceship. The director’s wish for John Williams to compose additional variations of the notes can be appreciated. Nevertheless, I can see why Williams might be hesitant to alter a melody that has touched so many hearts. He seems unwilling to modify what is now cherished by audiences, and such caution is indeed wise.

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that it’s somewhat disheartening for some of us when a five-time Oscar-winning composer, whose scores have breathed life into countless scenes, doesn’t personally perform the notes in the film. However, there’s a reassuring twist to this situation. As I would later learn from Laurent Bouzereau, this talented musician indeed kept his word and provided us with something equally captivating: a unique offering that added another layer of enchantment to our cinematic experience.

Suddenly, he launched into this absolutely amazing explanation of what the five notes mean, and that is a sentence, really, with a question mark at the end. And that, to me, was so incredible and so much better than the predictable thing that I was suggesting that I knew this was going to be in the film, and I knew that this was going to be significant. Somebody actually was at the screening at the AFI and was sitting behind a big composer who was there and, during that moment that composer turned to his wife [and] said, ‘This was amazing.’ Like, just that moment, you know?

John Williams’ exposition on the notes is truly remarkable, and it’s no surprise that it’s full of deep insights. This production, as a whole, shares many thought-provoking ideas. Notably, Williams’ knowledge shines through, and the upcoming 2024 movie release serves as a testament to his far-reaching influence on numerous musicians. One of these influenced individuals is Chris Martin, who is highlighted in the documentary. Martin, a seasoned Coldplay member, has a touching scene within the film, and Laurent Bouzereau explains how it was assembled:

A particularly meaningful moment for me that showcased John’s enduring spirit occurred when Daryl Frank, one of my producers, proposed that I interview Chris Martin from Coldplay, as he enters the stage with [the E.T. theme music]. I handed him my iPhone and asked him to respond. He hesitated, saying, “What should I say?” To which I replied, “I just want to see your reaction.” In that moment, a man I had never met before transformed into a child, and it was truly heartwarming. I believe this instant of raw emotion and genuine appreciation for the power of music was absolutely priceless.

It’s truly amazing to witness Mr. Williams, who’s not quite retired, being honored with a documentary that showcases his life and career. I appreciate his unwavering commitment to artistic integrity, demonstrated by his refusal to compromise even when his director asked him to do so. This only adds to my respect for one of the most outstanding conductors in history.

You can now stream music composed by John Williams on your Disney+ subscription! Alongside this, you can explore his works in films such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny, and other titles with the same membership.

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2024-11-01 20:37