Career of John Williams: His Legendary Soundtracks

JAWS

Apr 21, 1975

Known for its simplistic minor 2nd alternation, the theme became one of the most recognizable film scores of all time. When Williams first presented this to Spielberg, he originally laughed and thought it was a complete joke. The score sounds very primal with potential influences from Stravinsky Rite of Spring. Spielberg claimed the film would have been half as successful without Williams' score and it earned him an Academy Award for Original Score. http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/jaws.html

Star Wars Franchise

Jun 1, 1977

Through Star Wars, Williams brought back the idea of the classical Hollywood score by "shifting perceptions of greatness back in the direction of large orchestras and sweeping themes." Considered a Wagnerian space opera, the score uses leitmotifs and uses three central themes. The main theme is used as an overture, Princess Leia, and the "Force" theme become an "overarching identify." The film scores were critically acclaimed.
http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/star_wars.html

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Dec 1, 1977

Close Encounters is known for its "iconic 5 note motif" which is used to communicate with the aliens. Williams composed over 300 examples and Spielberg chose the one used in the film. The soundtrack album was considered a commercial success and was released on a vinyl album. Williams uses three distinct parts or acts and uses atonal, ambient sounds, and avant garde techniques to capture an otherworldly soundscape. http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/close_encounters.html

Indiana Jones Series

Jun 1, 1981

A score which captures much spirit, we are treated to a soundtrack with harmonic beauty and exciting thematic material. The title theme can heard in subsequent Indiana Jones trailers and stadiums. "The Raiders March" is considered the centerpiece. The purpose of "each theme is so clear that Williams would work all of them into sequels in the franchise." The series has garnered a critical response and resulted in a Grammy award for John Williams. http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/raiders.html

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Jun 11, 1982

Winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, the film received critical acclaim. According to filmtracks.com, "the famous themes of E.T. became the new staple of Williams' concert tours, serving as a comfortable, "feel good" sound from the era. Indeed, E.T. evoked the perfect emotional response for what audiences craved as "Hollywood movie magic." http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/et.html

Superman

Jul 7, 1987

Williams' underscore for the famous super hero had become a trademark. This "Wagnerian extravaganza was so beloved and his sound for the character would endure in three immediate sequels and become the benchmark for future adaptations." The march with its "major key progressions" and love theme has become so recognizable for fans. The soundtrack was performed by the London Symphony and earned a Grammy award win for Williams.
http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/superman.html

Home Alone

Dec 8, 1990

Williams score for Home Alone set high standards for Christmas and religious holiday music in film. While the film was initially negatively received, the score "won the hearts of audiences" and "cleverly combines this music with traditional but rerecorded Christmas carol recordings arranged for this production." The film's signature song: "Somewhere in my Memory" received a Grammy award and Academy award nomination. http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/home_alone.html

Jurassic Park

May 25, 1993

The adventure film of the dinosaurs became the highest grossing film released worldwide at that time. The score while it was overshadowed by Schindler's list later that year, was "etched into the minds of mainstream movie-goers through the years." The film score is considered a masterpiece in regards to how he uses adventure themes and showcases "every one of his dominant compositional styles of the early 1990's, into one momentous product." http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/jurassic_park.html

Schindler's List

Dec 7, 1993

Argued to be John Williams' best film score, it swept the Academy Awards in 1993. Williams collaborated again with Spielberg and Itzhak Perlman on the violin. It tells the powerful story of a factory owner Oskar Schindler who saves as many people from extermination as possible, but who first is in it for the profit. A powerful film with a powerful story, Williams makes use of specific instrumentation, making use of soloists, choir, and an ensemble.
http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/schindler.html

The World of Harry Potter

Oct 30, 2001

Williams captures the magic of the wizarding world of Harry Potter by weaving Hedwig's theme throughout the film "as one thread in the tapestry." One of the most famous film franchises, he composed the music for the first three films. He sought inspiration from reading the JK Rowling novels and adapted his compositional style from his readings. The film score was very well received and had nominations for a Grammy/Academy Award.
http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/harry_potter.html