John Williams Conducts 'Imperial March' at 90 Years Old | National Symphony Orchestra

Film composer and Kennedy Center Honoree John Williams is persuaded to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra in a memorable performance of his "Imperial March" from Star Wars during a gala to celebrate his 90th Birthday.

#johnwilliams #starwars #nationalsymphonyorchestra

[GrandManor]

Imagine scoring Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but you don’t win the Academy Award because you also scored Star Wars that year.

[Hardcover_Pilot]

Steven Spielberg said it best at John Williams' AFI Lifetime Achievement ceremony. "Without John Williams, bikes don't fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force. Dinosaurs do not walk the earth. We do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe."

[seanclothier]

Dude rolls in at 90yrs old and pops off the single most badass theme in movie history. LEGEND

[johnhoblock]

For those of us who grew up during Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc., this gentleman was our Mozart.

[momofthemaos]

When Mr. Williams becomes one with the Force, we will miss his talent, creativity and passion.

[alexvanpelt]

A man of vigor, humility, and incomparable musical talent. You could see the rapture on his face as he conducted. The Force is strong with him.

[MatthewCamacho-qu]

How many of these world-class musicians in the orchestra just experienced the childhood dream of playing the Imperial March for John Williams? Amazing!

[heatchills]

Anyone else love the fact that Williams - while he shows his age initially - immediately reverts to being the powerful maestro the instant the baton is placed in his hand?

[alexcooper]

John wasn’t conducting. John was using his Jedi powers to play all the instruments.

The force is strong with this one

[jankrolak]

1:10 the joy in his face, when everyone starts cheering🥹😍

[mackenzie]

You can tell when he’s conducting that the years just melt away.

[Jonathanclear]

When 90 years old you reach, look as good you will not, hmmm?

[donaldcase]

We saw him conduct at the Hollywood Bowl last September, 2022. He is still amazing at 90 years old. He gave us 4 encores that night.

[artiek]

How appropriate that this just came up on my feed on the day that James Earl Jones died. RIP.

[jBownz]

For those of us who grew up with the movies, this man has written the soundtrack to our lives.

[chazparker]

Without the music of John Williams, Star Wars would be just another fantasy B movie. His score elevates the story to galactic-sized entertainment. The Imperial March, Darth Vader’s Theme, brings so much joy and excitement to an audience. That we revel in the theme for the villain is testament to John Williams’ talent and genius as a composer.

[IturaldeRodel]

Even after all these decades, it isn't the producers or CEOs we remember... it's these artists, writers, musicians... They deserve recognition and a fair recompense for their efforts.

[Pendragon]

He loves what he's doing you can see it.
Even with 90 years and having heard the piece countless times he still enjoys conducting the orchestra.
The way he half-jokingly tries to silence the audience, the way his face lit up and the big, genuine smile... how can you not love that man?

[tomtalker]

I love John and feel VERY honored to have seen him perform. I've also sung with the BSO as my chamber choir did a collaboration with them. Being a resident of Cape Cod, MA and also lived in the Berkshires prior. He was quite the treasure to have here in MA.

[joev]

That's the baddest 90 year old we have ever seen. The force IS strong with him, he will Never be forgotten.