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John Williams recently visited a concert by his friend Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles. The 93-year-old sat in a wheelchair, photos of which are circulating on social media. An unusual picture – but not unusual for a man of his age.
However, John Williams announced three concerts in Berlin for June (June 5-7, 2025). The question that fans ask themselves: could Williams also conduct in a wheelchair?
Most recently, William’s appearances in Vienna. At the concerts of Gustavo Dudamels with the Los Angeles Philharmonics (5-6.4.2025), John Williams acts as a “curator” (So it is not a conductor himself).
We reported beforehand:
John Williams: He conducts these classics in Berlin
After the cancellation of his concerts in the Vienna Musikverein December 2024, everyone is now keeping his fingers crossed that John Williams can complete his three concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic (5 to 7 June 2025). On February 8th, the soundtrack composer turned 93. The creator of the scores of “Star Wars”, “Schindler’s list” and “Indiana Jones” applies to living legend. Maybe as bigger Hollywood composer ever.
Now the Berlin Philharmonic has announced the occupation of the three concert evenings and, almost more important, the program on their website. According to this, John Williams is accompanied by Bruno Delepelaire on the violoncello.
Occupation John Williams and the Berlin Philharmonic:
Berlin Philharmoniker
John Williams conductor
Bruno Delepelaire violoncello
John Williams has varied the program slightly compared to his recent European concert evenings in Berlin, Vienna and Milan (all from 2020).
program
- Sound the Bells
- Superman March
- Dracula: Night Journey
- Et the extra terrestrial, symphonic suite: Three Million Light Years from Home
- Et the extra terrestrial, symphonic suite: Stargazers
- Et the extra terrestrial, symphonic suite: Adventures on Earth
- pause
- Hook: The Flight to Neverland
- Jaws: Out to Sea/The Shark Cage Fugue
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Fawkes The Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Harry’s Wondrous World
- Memoirs of a Geisha: Sayuri’s Theme
- Star Wars, The Force Awakens: March of the Resistance
- Star Wars, Return of the Jedi: Luke and Leia
- Star Wars, Suite for Orchestra: Main Title
From “Dracula” (1978) there is no longer the “Main Theme”, but “Night Journey”. “Adventures on Earth” from “ET” is added to two more suites. From the “White Hai”, known from Vienna 2020, “Out to Sea/The Shark Cage Fugue” – unfortunately still not the legendary “Main Theme”. “Harry Potter” is loyal to John Williams with three pieces. Experts can look forward to “Memoirs of a Geisha” – is popular, but not a classic. The final then belongs to three frequently listed pieces from “Star Wars”.
Exactly, two evergreens are missing. The “Raiders March” from the “Indiana Jones” films and John Williams’ probably the most famous characteristic motive, the “Imperial March”, ie Darth Vader’s melody. However, since the Maestro plays encores, you can look forward to these classics entirely (may the power with us).