30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams returned for two special concerts – one in Matsumoto and one in Tokyo – marking his debut with the world-famous Saito Kinen Orchestra, with selections from his beloved film scores, and reuniting with his longtime friend, world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa. The second of these concerts was captured live on record at Suntory Hall last year and the resulting recording, John Williams in Tokyo, has been released by Deutsche Grammophon, following his acclaimed chart-topping concert albums, The Berlin Concert and John Williams in Vienna. The album includes 11 pieces conducted by Williams — including “Superman March”, “Theme from Schindler’s List” and “The Imperial March” from Star Wars — and a bonus track, ‘Tributes! (for Seiji)”, conducted by Denève. The latter work was composed by Williams in 1999 to honor Ozawa’s 25th anniversary as Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and is now being released for the first time worldwide.
It was a long-held dream of Seiji Ozawa’s to see John Williams and the Saito Kinen Orchestra perform together in Japan, so the performances – and their reunion last year – held great meaning for both artists. Ozawa was in Matsumoto to witness the concert and was delighted to be reunited with his friend. The Concert was recorded at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on September 5, 2023. Seiji Ozawa passed after the concert, Feb. 6 in Tokyo, at 88.
The quality is great and the performance itself is stunning and full of beautiful and unexpected rubato, rich quality, and visceral excitement that everyone who is familiar with Williams’s studio recordings has come to expect — it’s great to hear an orchestra that is capable of this. At 92, Williams can definitely command the orchestra. Well-played and thoroughly enjoyable; although with some tracks in common with the previous two releases, I wonder if this album will achieve the success of its two predecessors.
photos by Michiharu Okubo
John Williams in Tokyo tracklisting:
Superman March – from “Superman”
Hedwig’s Theme – from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
Fawkes the Phoenix – from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
Harry’s Wondrous World – from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
Theme from Schindler’s List – from “Schindler’s List”
The Rebellion is Reborn – from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Princess Leia’s Theme – from “Star Wars: A New Hope”
Throne Room & Finale – from “Star Wars: A New Hope”
Yoda’s Theme – from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”
Raiders March – from “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”
The Imperial March – from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”
Tributes! (for Seiji)
all music composed by John Williams and performed by Saito Kinen Orchestra
tracks 1-11 conducted by John Williams, Track 12 conducted by Stéphane Denève