John Williams: Legendary Film Scores

Herbie Hancock once said, “Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.” Music is never mastered, always a wild animal which some happen to be lucky enough to capture, if only for a few moments. John Williams is one such man. Known for his legendary movie scores as well as his stirring themes, there is no doubt that Williams has been gifted with an extraordinary ability to capture our hearts and minds with melodies and rhythms. Born in 1932, John Williams had music running through his veins. His father was a percussionist for the CBS radio orchestra, and Williams quickly showed an affinity for the same skill set. As a child, he learned piano, trumpet, trombone, and clarinet. By the time he was a teenager, he was already attempting to orchestrate original compositions. Williams studied at both UCLA and Julliard School

Today, most films feature recurring themes set to a full orchestra or symphony, or at least using symphonic instrumentation. Suffice it to say, Williams has not only changed music, but the way that society looks at music. Film scores are now known to be one of the most defining parts of a movie, and his works have proven this. In addition to film scores, Williams has composed themes for the Olympic Games. As of 2015, Williams has been hailed with 49 Academy Award nominations, making him the living person with the most nominations. Williams is not revolutionary because he has done something new, but rather because he has brought us back to what we have forgotten. His use of orchestral and symphonic sounds is seemingly basic but it gives his music a depth not found in other film scores. His themes are sung as soon as they hit theaters. He has been given an exceptional talent for music and music composition, and it is doubtless that he will be remembered for generations to