The Film Music of John Williams

Reviving Hollywood's Classical Style

By: Emilio Audissino

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

From the triumphant “Main Title” in Star Wars to the ominous bass line of Jaws, John Williams has penned some of the most unforgettable film scores—while netting more than fifty Academy Award nominations.

This updated and revised edition of Emilio Audissino’s groundbreaking volume takes stock of Williams’s creative process and achievements in music composition, including the most recent sequels in the film franchises that made him famous. Audissino discusses Williams’s unique approach to writing by examining his neoclassical style in context, demonstrating how he revived and revised classical Hollywood music.

This volume details Williams’s lasting impact on the industry and cements his legacy as one of the most important composers in movie history. A must for fans and film music lovers alike.

©2021 the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

Would work better as a television docuseries

The book was great! What I thought would be a book just about JW’s film music turned out to be almost a history of film music itself. I learned so much more than I thought I would. However, I didn’t learn as much as I could have. All though Audissino writes about music the way people have (and had to have) for hundreds of years, in today’s world, this really could (and should?) be so much more. The narrator did a great job, but there are so many wonderful video essays on YouTube that do what Audissino does but with the actual music and film clips. I would love for Audissino to turn this into a series similar to the work of Ken Burns. That would truly bring his message, understanding, and analysis to life. Still, till that happens, I would gladly recommend this book.

A must-read for John Williams fans

Read this book and listen to the Soundtrack Show podcast! You’ll love it!! Made me laugh, cry and love his music in a new way!

Excellent book about a topic I hadn’t divulged in much

All five stars! Provides great insight into the somewhat fading art of orchestral film music. Of course it also dives deep into John Williams work as a film composer and specifically provides musical analysis of some of his greatest themes and scores as well as some hidden gems. The musical analysis might be a bit much to the layman but it’s still explained well enough to where the listener shouldn’t get too lost along the way. Seems like the definitive book about Maestro John Williams and a film buff certainly shouldn’t hesitate to indulge.

My favorite composer’s story

John Williams has been my favorite composer since the 80’s or since the first time I saw Star Wars. Jarre, and Goldsmith remain outstanding, but Williams is tops. The book tells his history. However, the music tech stuff at the beginning got the fast forward treatment from this layman.

John Williams is a bonafide genius

Make a list of the movies he has scored , you will be amazed. The breadth and depth of his musical creations is amazing.