Great Composers

• Artist: John Williams
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 29, 1999
• Total Time: 59:21
• Type: Compilation (best of), Soundtrack
• Genre: Soundtrack

Review

Although the selections on Varese Sarabande's Great Composers may not be pulled from the original soundtrack recordings, that's not the biggest problem with the disc. The major problem is that it's skewed toward a general audience -- the kind that wants to have John Williams' "greatest hits" and best-known themes on one disc -- but overlooks such major moments as the soundtracks to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Born on the Fourth of July, among others. That will undoubtedly frustrate some listeners, but if they get past that initial frustration, they'll find that Great Composers is actually a fairly entertaining listen. Yes, it may have a few too many of his lesser-known works (Midway, Presumed Innocent, Family Plot, Stanley & Iris, The Cowboys), but these are still very good and sit well with Superman, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and Star Wars. So, while it may not be perfect, it is entertaining and it does confirm the variety and depth inherent in John Williams' music. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Star Wars (Main Titles)	Varujan Kojian	Utah Symphony Orchestra	(5:17)
The Imperial March [From The Empire Strikes Back]	Varujan Kojian	Utah Symphony Orchestra	(2:56)
Parade of the Ewoks [From Return of the Jedi]	Varujan Kojian	Utah Symphony Orchestra	(3:34)
Jurassic Park Theme	Joel McNeely	Seattle Symphony Orchestra	(6:18)
Amazing Stories (Main Titles)	Joel McNeely	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(1:11)
Superman: The Movie (Main Titles)	John Debney	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(4:23)
Midway March [From Midway]		Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(2:28)
Schindler's List Theme	Joel McNeely	Seattle Symphony Orchestra	(3:47)
Presumed Innocent (End Credits)	John Williams	John Williams	(4:05)
Sabrina (End Credits)	Joel McNeely	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(5:44)
Family Plot (End Credits)	Varujan Kojian	Utah Symphony Orchestra	(3:55)
Stanley & Iris (End Credits)	John Williams	John Williams	(3:10)
The Poseidon Adventure (Main Titles)	John Debney	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(2:09)
The Cowboys (Main Titles)	John Williams	John Williams	(2:21)
Earthquake (Main Titles)	John Debney	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(2:59)
The Towering Inferno (Main Titles)	Joel McNeely	Royal Scottish National Orchestra	(5:04)

Credits

John Williams (Main Performer), Robert Townson (Producer), Robert Townson (Liner Notes), Utah Symphony Orchestra (Performer), Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Performer), Seattle Symphony Orchestra (Performer), Erick Labson (Mastering), Lynda Cochrane (Piano)