John Williams

John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932 in New York City) is one of the most widely recognized composers of film scores. He is often credited with the revival of the grand symphonic film score, specifically with his richly thematic and

John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932 in New York City) is one of the most widely recognized composers of film scores. He is often credited with the revival of the grand symphonic film score, specifically with his richly thematic and highly popular 1977 score to George Lucas' Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

In addition to six Star Wars films (see Star Wars music), Williams has composed the music to some of the highest grossing films of all time, including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and the first three Harry Potter movies. While skilled in a variety of 20th century compositional idioms, his most familiar style may be described as a form of neoromanticism, informed by the large-scale orchestral music of the late 19th century and that of Williams's film-composing predecessors. The influence of Korngold and other Hollywood Golden Age composers is strong in much of Williams' most famous work. Although Williams is best known for heroic, rousing themes to adventure and fantasy films (such as Star Wars, Superman (see Superman music), and Raiders of the Lost Ark), his long career also includes many sensitive dramatic scores (such as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan) and more experimental concert works.