Right in our own backyard, Tanglewood threw a grand party last night for one of the nation’s most famous living composers, John Williams.

All eyes were on Tanglewood which is one of the country’s premiere summer music festivals and summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as John Williams’s marked his 80th birthday on Saturday, August 18. It was a highlight of the festival’s 75th anniversary season which continues through Labor Day weekend. CHeck our home page for upcoming concerts, there are plenty still to come!

Steven Spielberg and James Taylor made surprise stage appearances, and President Barack Obama sent a video greeting. The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, George Lucas, Brian Williams, Seiji Ozawa, and Gustavo Dudamel were featured in other special video birthday messages to Mr. Williams. The musical program featured the Boston Pops Orchestra, conductors Keith Lockhart, Leonard Slatkin, and Shi-Yeon Sung, and guest artists Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero, Jessye Norman, and Gil Shaham, as well as members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The program opened with John Williams’s Olympic Fanfare with the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, followed by beloved themes from E.T., Harry Potter, Star Wars, Schindler’s List and Memoirs of a Geisha. You can listen to highlights in the video above.

 

Saturday, August 18, 8:30pm, Shed

John Williams’ 80th Birthday Celebration

BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA

Keith Lockhart, Leonard Slatkin, and Shi-Yeon Sung, conductors

with

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Anthony McGill, clarinet

Gabriela Montero, piano

Jessye Norman, soprano

Gil Shaham, violin

U.S. Army Herald Trumpets

BSO soloists Mike Roylance, tuba; James Sommerville, horn; Keisuke Wakao, oboe

Plus surprise guests

 

Film greeting from Brian Williams

 

WILLIAMS Olympic Fanfare and Theme

with the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets

KERN & HAMMERSTEIN “The Song Is You”

Jessye Norman, soprano

 

Film greeting from Gustavo Dudamel and Deborah Borda

 

WILLIAMS Three Concert Pieces

Concerto for Oboe, 3rd movement: Commedia

Keisuke Wakao, oboe

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, 5th movement: Nocturne

James Sommerville, horn

Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra: 3rd movement

Mike Roylance, tuba

 

In person greeting from Steven Spielberg

 

WILLIAMS Adventures on Earth from E.T. The Extra-terrestrial

 

Film greeting from the Boston Red Sox

 

WILLIAMS Fanfare for Fenway

WILLIAMS Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

 

Film greeting from President Barack Obama

 

ARR. WILLIAMS Air and Simple Gifts

Yo-Yo Ma, cello; Gil Shaham, violin; Gabriela Montero, piano; Anthony McGill, clarinet

WILLIAMS Going to School from Memoirs of a Geisha

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

WILLIAMS Theme from Schindler’s List

Gil Shaham, violin

 

Film greeting from George Lucas

 

WILLIAMS Main Title from Star Wars

 

Surprise performance: James Taylor performs “You’ve Got a Friend” with BSO cellist Owen Young

 

Film greeting from President Bill Clinton

Film greeting from former BSO Music Director Seiji Ozawa

 

WILLIAMS Happy Birthday Variations

 

Surprise encore: entire cast performs “Happy Birthday with orchestra accompaniment