On Saturday, June 14, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra welcomed two of Hollywood’s most-awarded  figures, John Williams and Steven Spielberg, for a one-time performance celebrating the compositions of Williams’ iconic soundtracks.

 

Williams personally conducted the “most accessible orchestra on the planet” to the tune of more than 10 selections from his composition catalog, while Spielberg contributed to the second half of the performance with film clips and a commentary accompaniment. This was Williams’ first performance featuring the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since his 2008 visit. 

 

Williams (82) began his film-scoring career in the 1950s, with a feature film titled “Daddy-O” (1958) from American International pictures. The composer, conductor and pianist would go on to create the memorable soundtracks for films, such as: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Harry Potter, Home Alone, Hook, JFK, Superman, Fiddler on the Roof, Catch Me if You Can, The Patriot, Munich and Lincoln. He remains the second most-nominated figure in the history of the Academy Awards, with 49 nominations (second to Walt Disney), and is responsible for composing the iconic themes for Sunday Night Football, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press and the international Olympic Games.   

 

The evening of June 14 began with the DSO’s presentation of the organization’s prestigious Heroes Award, which was given to Rock Ventures’ Dan Gilbert and Matt Cullen for their support and financial contributions. The two award-winners were in attendance for the performance, in addition to Kid Rock,  former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, CEO of General Motors Mary Barra,  Art Van,  Kresge Foundation CEO Rip Rapson and others. 

 

 

 

 

Williams began the performance with his composition “Hooray for Hollywood,” which was paired with the Academy Awards’ visual montage of “magic movie moments.” The concert’s first half featured Hollywood soundtracks from films not directed by Spielberg, including: Far and Away, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Star Wars.

 

After a brief intermission, John Williams and Steven Spielberg took the stage to introduce several iconic Spielberg-directed film scores, including elections from: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Adventures of Tintin, Schindler’s List and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

 

“I want to show you how boring my films are without Johnny’s music,” Spielberg said.

 

During an exercise titled “Techniques of Film Scoring,” Spielberg allowed the audience to examine his films without the music accompaniment of John Williams while showing “The Circus Train Chase” from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. After the lackluster film clip including only sound effects, the Williams-led DSO proved the importance of music’s role within the cinematic experience.  

 

The fourth-annual Heroes Gala raised more than $1.25 million towards DSO funding, and provided the rare opportunity to experience the sounds of Hollywood’s most renowned composer alongside his director counterpart. The two industry veterans donated their services for the evening as a gesture to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s commitment to arts and enrichment.  

 

See photos from John Williams’ private rehearsal with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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