John Williams & Anne Sophie Mutter – Han Solo and the Princess From 'The Empire Strikes Back'

Following the huge success of John Williams – The Berlin Concert, which topped the German pop charts earlier this year, Deutsche Grammophon is now proud to present the world premiere recording of John Williams’ Violin Concerto No. 2. The work was written for and recorded by the venerated composer’s friend and frequent collaborator Anne-Sophie Mutter. Her impassioned performance was given with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Williams, who celebrated his 90th birthday on 8 February.

Williams and Mutter have worked together often since she gave the first performance of his Markings in Boston almost five years ago, and have co-starred on two previous hugely successful Deutsche Grammophon albums: Across the Stars (2019) and John Williams in Vienna (2020). Williams’ second violin concerto reflects his deep admiration for the lyrical warmth and dynamism of Mutter’s playing and for her sense of musical adventure.

“I can only think of this piece as being about Anne-Sophie. I took my inspiration and energy directly from this great artist herself.” – John Williams

“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have John Williams compose a concerto for me.”
– Anne-Sophie Mutter

John Williams, Anne-Sophie Mutter & BSO – Williams: Han Solo and the Princess from 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'

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#JohnWilliams #AnneSophieMutter #StarWars

[deutschegrammophon]

Which John Williams score had the biggest influence on you?

[CrimsonFile-ud]

The third arrangement Williams has done of this theme and they just keep getting better!

[bourque]

This is Incredible!!!!

Thank You John, Anne, and everybody who played at this magnificent concert.

😊

[Bondek]

Spinetingling. It's all there, the kiss on the Falcon, Han being frozen, "I know", freeing him from Jabba- love gained, love lost.
My mind wandered into what is now Legends, when they're married with kids, the music took on another dimension

[erpollock]

I've never seen Star Wars, but the melody alone says this is love music. So glad Williams composes beautiful music, so rare today.

[sdjavan]

I was in the audience during this performance. I was absolutely blown away. A dream come true to see John Williams and enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra! If you look closely you will see me towards the right, in the midst of the pitch black background. kthxbi.

[joshuachanviolin]

Anne-Sophie Mutter is such a good violinist, she is the best.

[garysandiego]

I never heard this arrangement before. So beautiful. It deserves to be in the repertory, certainly. Really impressed

[JerryBennett]

LOVE that John Williams is still creating new takes on one of the greatest themes of all time.

[brucekuehn]

Beyond the light sabers and all the noise, there is the love in the Star Wars series.

[bretbreneman]

This is achingly beautiful, with its rich depth of colors and the exquisite relation between violin and orchestra. There's a solid monumentality to it that sounds "classical." And the violin! That more-than-human voice, that existential wayfarer!

[CaradhrasAiguo]

I previously didn't take much notice that the "Han Solo and the Princess" theme resembled the main theme of the 1st movement in the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, but the violin concertante arrangement (which also begins in D major at 0:23) and maestro Mutter's lush style accentuates it.

[rpvee]

Ahh, I was at the performances this was filmed at, and I can see myself several times in this (like at 2:31 leaning forward in the front and center, enthralled by the music)!! I can’t believe I’m a small part of an official John Williams release. 😍

[NastyKnox]

Wow I never heard this version before. Masterpiece

[angelikaseegers-classicalg]

Phantastisch ! Was für ein wunderbarer Klang und was für eine schöne, farbenreiche Instrumentierung !! DANKE . 🙂

[skrutten_]

Oboist on the right was really feeling it at 1:28 !

[schmeldwicksmith]

I admit on first listen to this my knee jerk reaction was to dislike it for being to much of a departure from the original theme. It only took one revisit though, to realize its intentions; it's not just a representation of their tentative and somewhat doubtful courtship during "The Empire Strikes Back'. Maestro Williams wants to tell us the story of their entire decades long relationship, and he does so with such lush and sweeping romanticism, that it almost makes up for the fact that we never got to see any of it. Appropriately ending with notes of loss and grief and uncertainty, and then the final note of reconciliation and resolution, this is an extraordinary piece I will be revisiting often. Just gorgeous, and thank you, Mr. Williams.

[helenedoloresamato]

Bellísimo. Helen Amato. De la ciudad de La Plata de Argentina .

[drkeithnewton]

Got damn! That woman can play some violin!

[josealfonsobotejara]

Para mi John Williams es mi compositor favorito y está composición con Anne Sophie Mutter al violín de Han Solo en Star Wars está muy bien, se te adentra en el alma, la interpretación de estos dos grandes..John Williams se adentra muy bien en el ambiente de las películas y Star Wars que ya de pequeño me gustó la banda sonora como En busca del arca perdida, etc. Superman que me sorprendió y me sorprende la banda sonora, siendo la banda sonora de de super héroe que me a sorprendido más, y quien es el autor John Williams.Compre un vinilo en single de la imperial march en una de las caras del single, marcha imperial de El imperio Contraataca, con 9 o 10 años quien la compuso, el señor don John Williams.Hay otros grandes compositores pero para mí el mejor, maestro de compositores de bandas sonoras.