Composer, conductor and self-confessed movie buff, Nicholas Buc will lead the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of revered film composer John Williams’ 90th birthday for two new concert performances of the movie maestro’s most memorable scores.
Arguably the greatest film composer alive today – and the most nominated composer in Academy Awards’ history – John Williams has scored a generation of blockbuster films and created an unparalleled musical legacy along the way. His works includes scores for Star Wars, Superman, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Schindler’s List, Hook, E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial, Harry Potter and many more.
Fellow Art of the Score podcasters and ardent film score geeks Andrew Pogson and Dan Golding will join Buc and the MSO on stage to provide tantalising insights into the intricacies, motivations and untold stories behind the composer and his works. The trio’s popular podcast explores, demystifies and celebrates some of the greatest soundtracks of all time from the world of film, TV and video games.
Buc admits to a lifelong passion for film music, having received the Brian May Scholarship for Australian film composers and completed a Masters in Scoring for Film and Multimedia at New York University, where he earned the Elmer Bernstein Award for Film Scoring.
“John Williams has been a musical hero of mine since I was a boy,” said Buc. “While his themes and melodies have defined the sound of a generation of filmgoers, it’s his skill and mastery of the orchestra that has captivated music lovers for five decades. I’m thrilled to present this love letter to the great Maestro along with my good friends from the Art of the Score podcast.”
John Williams’ illustrious career has earned the lauded composer an unparalleled string of awards over the past seven decades including 25 Grammys, seven BAFTAs, five Oscars and four Golden Globes.
His music has inspired and entertained audiences in both cinemas and concert halls across the world. Birthday celebrations and musical tributes to Williams’ incredible legacy have filled concert halls in every corner of the globe in 2022, including the MSO’s recent sold-out performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
The Music of John Williams – A 90th Birthday Celebration
When: Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 June
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tickets: On sale Wednesday 30 March, waitlist registration Monday 28 March
Bookings: mso.com.au
