John Williams - Cello Concerto; Elegy for Cello & Orchestra and other works

John WILLIAMS (*1932)

Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

Elegy for Cello and Orchestra 

and other Works

Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)

Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles

John Williams (Conductor)

Film scorers who diligently pursue separate careers as composers of serious concert works (Korngold and Morricone, for two) frequently see the former trumpeted far and wide at the expense--and often woeful neglect--of the latter. Even John Williams, the most heralded film composer of the past quarter-century, hasn't been immune. But this compelling collection shouldn't be overlooked. Indeed, the participation of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma should gain it wider appeal in classical circles. But while Ma's dramatic, ever-masterful work takes star billing, it's the challenging framework of Williams's compositions (three of which--the Concerto, Three Pieces for Solo Cello, and "Heartwood"--were specifically written for Ma) that's the album's true focus. Even admirers of Williams's more adventurous film work (i.e., Close Encounters and A.I.) may be startled at the deeply introspective landscape he explores here. His always intriguing use of color finds its perfect voice in Ma, whose restless technical explorations here encompass even percussion. The Concerto alone ranges from a welcoming brass flourish in its opening movement through a personal and obtuse take on the blues in its second, before reaching an uneasy pastoral resolve. The emotionally potent "Elegy" stems from noble, intensely personal work Williams composed as a memorial for a friend's fallen children, while Three Pieces for Solo Cello explore the American black experience through an ostensibly unlikely, if eventually rewarding choice of instrument. "Heartwood" offers up an impressionistic tone poem of understated grandeur, as well as another of Williams's great gifts--his continued ability to take a listener by surprise. --Jerry McCulley

About his cello concerto I don't need to explain too much because it depends on your taste. Most of his works we are familiar with are those film scores which are definitely excellent and valuable. This CD is so called "concert music" that belongs to contemporary music,along with his" Tree Song" album, they just showed another aspect of John.In my heart,John is the one of the best composers of all time, because his film music has both quality and quantity,it's difficult for a composer to have both them,but he does.I enjoy two pieces in this CD. The "Elegy", is a beautiful sentimental piece for cello and orchestra, it is adapted from a movement of his film music "Seven Years In Tibet". Another piece is "Heartwood",this sounds just like film music, smooth,tender and charming. If you like John I think you should have it because whatever he wrote, we can always clearly feel that John is the one of distinguished masters in all time,and his talent always shines so brightly.