John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For better or worse, John Williams has completely reshaped the art of the soundtrack. His scores for Star Wars, E.T., and Jaws are simply unforgettable, and his knack for tugging at our heartstrings is uncanny. John Williams: Greatest Hits 1969-1999 collects 30 years of the composer's best-loved themes into one double-CD package. You'll find all the soundtrack moments you'd expect from Indiana Jones, Close Encounters, and Schindler's List, along with a few surprises (The Reivers Americana-filled main theme and Williams's 1984 Olympic theme, for starters). Most of the earlier works have been digitally rerecorded by Williams, so while you may not get the original recording of these works here, nothing shows its age. And although we really do get only his "greatest hits" (the longest track is the nearly 10-minute-long Close Encounters theme), most of these soundtracks can be purchased in their entirety for the true aficionado. John Williams may be an acquired taste, but this set proves why--year after year--he scores some of the most successful films Hollywood can produce. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Star Wars: Main Title
E.T.: Flying Theme
Superman: Main Title
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom: Parade Of The Slave Children
Sugarland Express: Theme
Jaws: Theme
Olympic Fanfare And Theme
Return Of The Jedi: Luke And Leia
The Reivers: Main Title
THe Empire Strikes Back: The Imperial March
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: Scherzo For Motorcycle And Orchestra
Empire Of The Sun: Cadillac Of The Skies
Raiders Of The Lost Ark: The Raiders' March
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Suite

Tracks:

Saving Private Ryan: Hymn To The Fallen
Jurassic Park: Theme
Schindler's List: Theme
Hook: Flight To Neverland
Seven Years In Tibet: Seven Years In Tibet
JFK: Prologue
Stepmom: The Days Between
1941: March
Home Alone: Somewhere In My Memory
Summon The Heroes
Rosewood: Look Down, Lord
Far And Away: Theme
Born On The Fourth Of July: Theme
Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace: Duel Of The Fates

Amazon.com

For better or worse, John Williams has completely reshaped the art of the soundtrack. His scores for Star Wars, E.T., and Jaws are simply unforgettable, and his knack for tugging at our heartstrings is uncanny. John Williams: Greatest Hits 1969-1999 collects 30 years of the composer's best-loved themes into one double-CD package. You'll find all the soundtrack moments you'd expect from Indiana Jones, Close Encounters, and Schindler's List, along with a few surprises (The Reivers Americana-filled main theme and Williams's 1984 Olympic theme, for starters). Most of the earlier works have been digitally rerecorded by Williams, so while you may not get the original recording of these works here, nothing shows its age. And although we really do get only his "greatest hits" (the longest track is the nearly 10-minute-long Close Encounters theme), most of these soundtracks can be purchased in their entirety for the true aficionado. John Williams may be an acquired taste, but this set proves why--year after year--he scores some of the most successful films Hollywood can produce. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven is an insect compaired to this titian of composition........2007-07-18

In the past when I went to movies, I rarely thought about the music unless it was a popular song that was being played. I never realized how much the score had to do with the overall effect I felt while watching the show.

Once I started paying attention to the music and identifying different pieces that I enjoyed from different movies, I was suprized to realize that John Williams had composed many, many of them.

This CD contains possibably the greatest most timeless music I have heard. Sure, you, like my classical music loving boss, have probably already written off my opinion as foolish or ignorant. Honestly, I don't care.

I like Mozart, Bach and the rest, and they have their place, but their music doesn't move through me like Williams. While this collection is far from a box set of his work, all the most popular pieces are there: Raders March (Indiana Jones), Star Wars, Superman, Empire March (Darth Vader). None of the operas or preludes the other guys made up generate the experience I get from listening to the opening stanza of Superman.

While it is very hard to sing along to these pieces, if you have an office as I do, it makes great background music. Everyone who comes in is pleasently caught off guard and I enjoy watching them trying to place the various songs that are playing.

Even if you disagree that Williams is better than Wagner or Debussy, if you enjoy his music, you will love this CD. "These are the droids you are looking for."

An excellent survey of this great film composer's music.......2007-06-15

John Willams' film music is of such high quality it still holds up away from its source material.

Williams not only has the talent to write memorable melodies but to expertly interpolate themes from the story into his scores, for example the drum rolls in "JFK" evoking the president's funeral procession and the mournful bugle calls in "Born on the Fourth of July".

Williams also employs a variety of styles, but never gratuitously, always to the service of the film. His "Jaws" theme is as legendary as the violin shrieks from Bernard Herrman's famous score for "Psycho".

The performances are excellent - only the "Born on the Fourth of July" performance exposes some thinness in the string section of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

There is much to enjoy here for film and music lovers alike.

It's my second copy!.......2007-03-09

This is by far the best driving music! Especially on those long desert roads.Adventure lies ahead for you when the Indiana Jones soundtrack is blasting from the dashboard of the car. Kids Love this CD Buy it now!

I could listen to it a 100's and never get tired!.......2007-02-17

It's wonderfull, even my teenagers listen to it! I think we have played Jurassic Park and Hook 100 times.

Good music collection - very inspirational.......2007-01-22

I use the music on this CD as background when I give awards during track. It's very inspirational & uplifting to the athletes. They love it.

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