Brett Mitchell celebrates 'John Williams at 90' with Colorado Public Radio
John Williams poses on the red carpet at the 2016 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to John Williams at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
DENVER — Brett Mitchell is the featured guest on Colorado Public Radio Classical’s new special, John Williams at 90, a celebration of the legendary composer and conductor’s 90th birthday on February 8, 2022.
It’s virtually impossible to have lived a life without hearing John Williams’ music. From some of the best loved films of the last century to the opening of the Olympics, his music is firmly part of our experience. He’s seen six decades in Hollywood, composed three trilogies of “Star Wars” films over the span of 40 years, and he’s the most Oscar-nominated living human. And at 90, he’s still at it.
Former music director of the Colorado Symphony and John Williams buff Brett Mitchell talked with CPR’s Karla Walker, and explained why Williams’ music sticks with us. “He really understands how to create themes — very memorable, very singable themes. And as John will be the first to tell you, it’s the hardest part of what he does. To come up with these short little ideas” — here, Mitchell hums “Indiana Jones” — “takes 90 percent of the time that he spends on a project.”
Williams has been nominated for 52 Academy Awards, but even being the most nominated living person doesn’t guarantee a win; he’s only brought home five Oscars, four of which were for best original score.
“I find it remarkable, some of the scores he wrote that weren't even nominated for best score, like the entire ‘Star Wars’ prequel trilogy,” Mitchell says. “‘Jurassic Park’ was not even nominated for best score… you can ask yourself ‘my gosh, I mean, how is it possible that this man who has inspired and influenced millions if not billions of people across the planet, that he's only won four Oscars for best original score?’”
In fact, the last time Williams won an Oscar was in 1994. That win came for his deeply felt music to long-time collaborator Steven Spielberg's film, “Schindler's List.” “When they did the spotting session…, Spielberg sits down and shows John the film for the first time,” Mitchell says. “John was understandably very moved and said, ‘I just need five minutes.’ He took a walk around the studio, and he came back in and said to Steven, ‘It’s such a beautiful film, but I think you need a better composer than me.’ And Steven’s response was, ‘I know, but they are all dead.’” Mitchell points to this as an example of the kind of collaboration and deeply felt emotions Williams used to create the Oscar-winning score….
As for how Williams has created legendary film scores for over 60 years? “I think that what John would tell you is that it is a six-day-a-week job,” says Mitchell. “Whether he's working on a specific project or not, he writes music every day. It's a muscle like anything else, and if you don't flex it, if you don't work it everyday, it will go away. And if you sit there waiting for the muse to strike, you may be sitting there for an awfully long time.”
This special will air 13 times between Friday, February 4 and Monday, February 14, all of which may be streamed live at cpr.org (all times Mountain):
Friday, February 4 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 5 - 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 6 - 12 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Monday, February 7 - 8 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Tuesday, February 8 - 1 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 9 - 6 p.m.
Friday, February 11 - 11 a.m.
Sunday, February 13 - 1 p.m.
Monday, February 14 - 8 p.m.