In September 2023, John Williams, an icon of film music, returned to Japan after 30 years.

John Williams has been shaping the film world with his unforgettable compositions for over 50 years. His honours include five Oscars, four Golden Globes and 26 Grammys. Most recently, he received the Grammy for “Best Instrumental Composition” at the 66th Grammy Awards.

Williams was invited to Japan by Seiji Ozawa, General Director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, to mark the 125th anniversary of the Deutsche Grammophon classical music label. Following performances with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic, this was his first collaboration with the Saito Kinen Orchestra.

Both concerts were sold out within a very short time – proof of the great popularity of John Williams and Seiji Ozawa. The close friendship between the two musicians goes back to the time when Ozawa was music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and director of the Tanglewood Music Festival. Ozawa had long dreamed of experiencing John Williams and the Saito Kinen Orchestra together on a stage in Japan.

This album is a must for all fans of John Williams and film music. Experience the magic of his compositions live in Japan and let yourself be enchanted by the incomparable atmosphere of this special concert.