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BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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Sunday Night is Music Night

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Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

The world's longest-running live orchestral programme featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra

The world's longest-running live orchestral music programme on radio, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and broadcast from locations throughout the UK

Friday Night Is Music Night

Sunday Night is Music Night: Happy Birthday John Williams!

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Happy Birthday John Williams!

14/12/2012

BBC Radio 2 - Sunday Night is Music Night, Happy Birthday John Williams!

A special concert celebrating the music of composer John Williams in his 80th year.

Ken Bruce presents a special Friday Night is Music Night concert celebrating the music of composer John Williams in his 80th year.

A long time ago in a galaxy not so far, far away composer John Williams sat at his grand piano to sketch out ideas for his next film score. He knew little about the subject matter apart from the fact that it was a "spaceship film". His friend Steven Spielberg had recommended him to the film's producer who was called George Lucas. He set to work on the main theme - a blast of discordant brass - a fanfare to herald the start of the film. In later years he said - I hope I wrote something mysterious, dramatic, and hugely effective.

In 2005 the American Film Institute named the soundtrack to Star Wars as the most memorable film score of all time.

This special Friday Night is Music Night concert celebrates the music of composer John Williams in this his 80th birthday year.

John Williams was born in New York in 1932. His father was the percussionist - Johnny Williams - who played in the CBS radio orchestra. John started to play piano aged 7 and followed his father into the freelance musician's world. Whilst employed at Universal television he wrote a number of catchy TV theme tunes including the signature tune to the children's cult series - Lost in Space. But by 1967 he was scoring music for the big screen and he received the first two of his forty-seven Oscar nominations for Best Score Adaptation of The Valley of the Dolls and Goodbye, Mr Chips.

John Williams is perhaps the last great movie maestro who writes big orchestral music for the screen - continuing a line which has included - Franz Waxman; Erich Korngold and Alfred Newman.

Tonight's concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra under their Principal Conductor, Keith Lockhart who has worked with John and who took over from him as Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. They are joined by the choral forces of London Voices who have featured on many of John's film soundtracks including Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Tonight's concert recorded last month at the Watford Colosseum includes music from John's Academy Award winning scores - Jaws; Star Wars; E.T.; and the young violinist Charlie Siem joins the orchestra to perform music from Schindler's List. Also included Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Empire of the Sun; The Witches of Eastwick; Hook; Jurassic Park; Amistad; Saving Private Ryan; Harry Potter; along with his most recent Oscar nominated scores for Warhorse and Tin Tin.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

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