A Gathering of Friends

Featuring

John Williams
Yo-Yo Ma
Jessica Zhou
Pablo Sáinz Villegas
New York Philharmonic

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

John Williams believes that for a film theme to work, "it needs to speak to you right away" and should be simple rather than long or complicated.

Composer Biography

John Williams is known as the most acclaimed, respected, and popular film composer of the last half-century.

Recording & Production

This recording was produced by John Williams and features Yo-Yo Ma as cello soloist, Pablo Sáinz-Villegas as guitar soloist, and Jessica Zhou as harp soloist.

Composition History

John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma first premiered the Cello Concerto at Tanglewood in 1994 and first recorded it in 2001.

Compositional Technique

John Williams' music, whether for film or concert, is rooted in tonality, tradition, and melody, but also employs modern techniques and instrumental textures.

Composition History

Highwood's Ghost, a piece for cello, harp, and orchestra, was inspired by a legendary encounter Leonard Bernstein had with a ghost at Highwood Manor House at Tanglewood.

Performer Biography

Yo-Yo Ma is described as an "evergreen and engaging musical prodigy and creative spirit," and the most universally admired cellist since Pablo Casals.