The Special Relationship: John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra (Video)

Former and current members of the LSO reunite to celebrate the unique musical collaboration between John Williams and the legendary orchestra on historic film scores including Star Wars, Superman and Raiders of the Lost Ark

Hosted and Produced by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden

The Legacy of John Williams is proud to present this exclusive video production dedicated to one of the most special relationship in the history of music: John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra.

The musical collaboration between the legendary film music Maestro and the leading British symphonic institution is one of the most distinguished in the music world, thanks mainly to the work on many of John Williams’ iconic and most successful film scores of his career, including the original Star Wars trilogy (1977-83), Superman: The Movie (1978), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), but also on several lesser-known but nonetheless sensational scores like The Fury (1978), Dracula (1979), Monsignor (1982). The collaboration includes also several brilliant album recordings including Williams’ own Bassoon Concerto The Five Sacred Trees, and the riveting compilation of Academy Award-winning classic scores The Hollywood Sound. Besides work for film and recordings, the orchestra and the composer also shared several live concert experiences throughout the decades, with sold-out performances that are still among the LSO’s most cherished memories.

The relationship between John Williams and the LSO has many aspects and points of interests for any John Williams’ fan and student of his music. The Legacy of John Williams dedicated an overview article back in 2019, on the occasion of the release of the 40th Anniversary release of Superman: The Movie soundtrack, discussing some of the key points of the collaboration between the composer and the famed British orchestra.

The Special Relationship: John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra presents a 90-minute conversation featuring several former and current members of the LSO who performed under John Williams’ baton in many of his iconic scores recorded in London: Sir Clive Gillinson (former Cellist from 1970 and subsequently LSO Managing Director from 1984 to 2005), David Cripps (former Principal Horn, Member from 1971 to 1983), Maxine Kwok (First Violinist, Member since 2001), David Jackson (Percussionist, Member since 1996). Joining this esteemed group of musicians is legendary Planning Director Sue Mallet, a member of the LSO family since 1976, who worked closely with John Williams in his projects with the LSO since the early days. Each one of them will offer their thoughts on working with the Maestro, from the early days of the recording of the original Star Wars film in 1977 until the more recent collaborations in the early 2000s, as well as memories of some of the LSO star members like Maurice Murphy. The event is hosted and moderated by The Legacy of John Williams’ Editor-in-Chief Maurizio Caschetto and film music journalist and The Legacy of John Williams Head Contributor Tim Burden.

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The Special Relationship: John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra, an original production of The Legacy of John Williams

Produced by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden
Video Editing and Post-Production by Maurizio Caschetto

Photographic Material Courtesy of LSO Archives, Jos Graumans, Peter Daley, Carroll Newman

Special Thanks to Libby Rice (LSO Archivist), Anthony Haas, Michael Humphreys, Jo Johnson, Miguel Andrade, Mike Matessino

Featuring music excerpts from
Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
© Lucasfilm Ltd.

Superman The Movie (1978)
© Warner Bros.

© 2021 The Legacy of John Williams

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Listen to the exclusive tribute montage produced by Tim Burden:

Listen to the exclusive Spotify playlist curated by The Legacy of John Williams:

LSO Official Website:
https://lso.co.uk/