Film Composer - John Williams

"I played it [theme to Jaws] on the piano for Steven Spielberg, and he said, 'Well, I don't think that will work.' And I said, 'Well I think it will work in the orchestra; you'll sense the presence of the shark, even if we don't see the shark, when we hear the music, we'll have the sense that the shark is getting closer, even if we're not able to show that.' That's a very good technique." John Williams 

“I think the score was clearly responsible for half of the success of that movie Jaws.” Steven Spielberg 

Even if your name is Steven Spielberg, it’s probably a good idea to listen to and possibly agree with the ideas that John Williams has to offer when it comes to composing music to film. As we all know, the theme to Jaws is one that has certainly worked in terms of creating a tension or mood within a films narrative, and has been one of many for composer John Williams. 
A household name for many years now, John Williams is what some may say “the very best composer in Hollywood” and has worked on some of the most popular films that have been made over the last 35 years.  
He has remained loyal to directors such as Steven Spielberg and Oliver Stone and has scored more sequels to films than any other composer, with Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark being amongst those he has worked on. 
The list of nominations and awards he has won over the years clearly shows that he has been a man on top of his game. The list of awards he has won are 5 Academy awards, 7 BAFTA Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards and 21 Grammy Awards, as well as other awards given for his contribution to music. His 47 Academy Award nominations make him the second most nominated person, after Walt Disney. 


“So much of what we do is ephemeral and quickly forgotten, even by ourselves, so it’s gratifying to have something you have done linger in people’s memories” 


Regarding the style of the compositions and music of John Williams, I guess you could say that he just makes good wholesome music, which is full of melodies and tunes with fanfares and marches, we will remember. Perhaps you could say this about the majority of film music (because whilst watching, we then associate the music with the visuals), but John Williams seems to be able to construct a film soundtrack that perfectly compliments the whole mood of a film. 
His music is said to be from the classic tradition, based on the style of the late-romantics of the 19^th century, and in particular Richard Wagner and his use of leitmotifs.
The musical skills of John Williams go beyond film music and have included playing jazz piano in New York clubs, being Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, composing music for television and also being commissioned to compose music for the 1984 Summer Olympics and the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. 
With recently Academy Award nominations for The Adventures of Tin Tin and War Horse (both 2011) and a work in progress on Spielberg’s new film Lincoln, it seems John Williams work is not yet over, and may still be in demand for years to come.