Episode 90 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

08/05/20 • 51 min

The Baton: A John Williams Musical Journey

The 90th episode of "The Baton" highlights the return to the melodic theme composition styles that made John Williams famous in the 1970s and 1980s. With "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," Williams creates no less than seven new themes for the main characters and the title stone that causes so much trouble. Host Jeff Commings details all seven themes and their appearances in the score, including the fun Quidditch match and the thrilling chess game. There's also a look at the final piece of music Williams wrote in 2001, a rousing theme for the 2002 Winter Olympics to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Episode 89 - AI Artificial Intelligence

John Williams' score to "AI Artificial Intelligence" has a cold and detached feeling for most of the film, mostly using synthesizers to depict the life of a robot boy who wants to become human. But, some of the best moments in the score come when Williams unleashes the organic strength of the orchestra, in scenes such as David's abandonment in the woods or the arrival to Manhattan. But, one of the standout moments comes during a nighttime chase through the forest, when Williams' son Joseph provides a heavy metal-style jam that perfectly encapsulates the feel of the scene. Host Jeff Commings details all of this music and more, including the piano-driven finale that had him -- and plenty of others -- weeping through the end credits.

Next Episode

Episode 91 - Attack of the Clones

The 2002 film "Attack of the Clones" not only challenged John Williams with continuing the musical portrait he started with "The Phantom Menace" and closing the gap with the original "Star Wars" trilogy, but also trying to write a compelling score before he had to dash off to write music for "Minority Report." In the end, Williams was unable to finish his score, using music from "The Phantom Menace" to cover the climactic battle scene that was still being created in the visual effects department. Host Jeff Commings details the two new themes that were created for the film, which includes debunking George Lucas' statement that the love theme for Anakin and Padme is the first love theme for the "Star Wars" series. There are standout musical moments for action scenes, including a fight in the rain and a chase through a city that includes the first use of electric guitar in the galaxy far, far away.