WILLIAMS: Violin Concerto No.2 & Selected Film Themes
The joint albums and performances by the legendary film composer John Williams and the star violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter are undoubtedly among the highlights of recent years. This album is the latest in a longstanding friendship and collaboration between the world's acclaimed artists: Mutter performs John Williams' Violin Concerto No. 2, which the composer wrote for her. Williams says of his Violin Concerto: “For me, this piece is primarily about Anne-Sophie Mutter and about the violin as a masterpiece of the art of violin making. (...) Ultimately, this great artist herself became my inspiration and driving force.” The present recording for Deutsche Grammophon, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Williams himself, was written shortly after the world premiere of the Second Violin Concerto in Tanglewood in July 2021. The Boston Globe wrote, "Even in this premiere, Mutter carried the solo like an old friend, shaping every phrase with purpose and panache." The lyrical and deeply personal concerto follows the album with three fantastic encores: Popular film themes from Williams, including from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, all of which he has completely re-arranged for Anne-Sophie Mutter. The expressiveness of Mutter's playing is reflected in various details of the violin concerto, but also in the beautiful film melodies, as is her virtuoso brilliance and the lyrical warmth of her violin tone. The lyrical and very personal concert is followed by three fantastic encores on the album: Williams' popular film themes, including from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, all of which he has completely re-arranged for Anne-Sophie Mutter. The expressiveness of Mutter's playing is reflected in various details of the violin concerto, but also in the beautiful film melodies, as is her virtuoso brilliance and the lyrical warmth of her violin tone. The lyrical and very personal concert is followed by three fantastic encores on the album: Williams' popular film themes, including from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, all of which he has completely re-arranged for Anne-Sophie Mutter. The expressiveness of Mutter's playing is reflected in various details of the violin concerto, but also in the beautiful film melodies, as is her virtuoso brilliance and the lyrical warmth of her violin tone.
Track listing:
Violin Concerto No. 2
1. I. Prologue (Violin Concerto No. 2)
2. II. Rounds (Violin Concerto No. 2)
3. III. Dactyls (Violin Concerto No. 2)
4. IV. Epilogue (Violin Concerto No. 2)
5. Theme (From "The Long Goodbye")
6. Han Solo and the Princess (From "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back")
7. Marion's Theme (From "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark")
Artists: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Boston Symphony Orchestra, John Williams
Label: DGG, DDD, 2021
Order number: 10860297
Release date: 3.6.2022 |