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John Williams Rejected a Request While Filming John Williams’ Disney+ Music, But I Think His Reasoning Makes a Lot of Sense

Umito November 2, 2024

Music by John Williams – A new title streaming this week – offers viewers an intimate portrait of the prolific composer behind films like Jaws And Schindler’s List. Through his conversations with Williams, director Laurent Bouzereau sheds light on the conductor’s personal life as well as his creative process. Bouzereau had many memorable moments while working on the documentary, including one he revealed to CinemaBlend – which saw Williams reject a request. However, the living legend’s reasoning was completely logical.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Bouzereau before the release of his latest doc. During the interview, he regaled me with details about his film as well as amusing anecdotes regarding his discussions with his main subject. It was the latter who directed the Five returned Helmer revealed that he asked the famous maestro to perform the original pieces of music he had concocted for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. But, as Bouzereau explained to me, the now 92-year-old conductor refused for a very specific reason:

Well, I had wanted John – I knew that he had, for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, created different versions of the five notes and, sometimes, there were more than five. And I told him, ‘(It would be) great if you could play the different incarnation(s) of these notes on the piano.’ And he said, “No.” Because it’s so iconic that you’re betraying something that’s on everyone’s mind. And he didn’t want anyone to suddenly say, “Oh, that would have been better,” or whatever, you know, what’s in the movie, (is) what’s in the movie. So I was a little disappointed, but he said, “I’ll get you something.” You will see.

One of The best Steven Spielberg films, Close Encounters features excellent music, and it is also marked by a now legendary five-note motif. In the film, these tones represent how scientists communicate with a spaceship. THE Faye The director’s desire for John Williams to play the other versions of the notes is understandable. However, I understand Williams’ hesitation to taint what has become such a beloved song. He clearly doesn’t want to impact fans’ opinions of what was presented in the finished film, and that’s entirely wise.

There may be some people who will be disappointed that the five-time Oscar winner (who is improved many scenes with its scores) does not perform these notes in the film. However, there is a positive side to all of this. As Laurent Bouzereau later explained to me, the musician ended up keeping his promise to share something else:

Suddenly he launched into this absolutely amazing explanation of what the five notes mean, and it’s actually a sentence with a question mark at the end. And that, to me, was so amazing and so much better than the predictable thing that I was suggesting that I knew it was going to be in the movie, and I knew it was going to be significant. In fact, someone was at the screening at AFI and was sitting behind a great composer who was there and, at that moment, this composer turned to his wife (and) said, ” It was incredible.” Like, right at that moment, you know?

John Williams does indeed give an incredible explanation on notes and, unsurprisingly, it is incredibly insightful. The same can be said for many of the thoughts shared in this production. In addition to demonstrating Williams’ wisdom, the Film release in 2024 also highlights how he had an impact on so many other musicians. One of those people, who appears in the document, is Chris Martin. The Coldplay veteran has a particularly sweet moment in the film, and Laurent Bouzereau described how it all came together:

Another moment that really meant a lot to me and spoke to John’s timeless nature was when Daryl Frank, who was one of my producers, suggested that I interview Chris Martin from Coldplay, because he takes the stage with (ET’s music). And I brought my iPhone and I give it to him. I said, ‘Okay, react.’ And he said, “What am I going to say?” I said, ‘I just want to see you react.’ And it was just like that – you saw a man that I had never met before become a child in front of me, and I think that moment of real emotion and real, you know, sincere assessment of what the music can do was priceless.

I find it simply wonderful to see the not quite retired, Mr. Williams receive her flowers and see her life and career highlighted through a documentary like this. Of course, I also admire the fact that in the process he didn’t compromise his integrity as an artist – even if that meant having to refuse a request from his director. It’s just another reason to respect one of the greatest artists to ever pick up a conductor’s baton.

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John Williams Rejected a Request While Filming John Williams’ Disney+ Music, But I Think His Reasoning Makes a Lot of Sense

Umito

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John Williams Rejected a Request While Filming John Williams’ Disney+ Music, But I Think His Reasoning Makes a Lot of Sense

Umito

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