New York, 1932
John Williams
Five Oscars and the symphonic sound of adventure cinema: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Schindler's List.
The son of a jazz percussionist, he studied piano in New York with Rosina Lhévinne and started out as a Hollywood studio pianist, playing scores by Goldsmith, Bernstein and Mancini. His partnership with Spielberg and Lucas brought the full symphony orchestra back to 1970s cinema. He conducted the Boston Pops from 1980 to 1993.
- Style
- Full symphony orchestra, brass fanfares and a theme of its own for every character.
- Awards
- 5 Oscars and 54 nominations, the second most nominated person in history after Walt Disney.
Essential films
- Jaws (1975)
- Star Wars (1977)
- Superman (1978)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Jurassic Park (1993)
- Schindler's List (1993)
Listen
- Star Wars Main Title · Star WarsSpotifyYouTube
- Theme from Schindler's List · Schindler's ListSpotifyYouTube
- Hedwig's Theme · Harry PotterSpotifyYouTube
Everything on Spotify Everything on YouTube Full biography on Wikipedia
The music, scene by scene
Two notes and a shark that barely shows up · Jaws (1975) · John Williams
Upcoming concerts with their music
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in ConcertSydney, Australia · Sydney Opera House
- Star Wars and Beyond: The Music of John WilliamsOttawa, Canada · National Arts Centre, Southam Hall
- John Williams and Great Film ChoirsBarcelona, Spain · Palau de la Música Catalana · Vallès Symphony Orchestra
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in ConcertBarcelona, Spain · Auditori Fòrum CCIB · Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès, conducted by Benjamin Pope · Also on the 20th
- Harry Potter & Star Wars: Music in ConcertMadrid, Spain · Auditorio Nacional de Música · Orquesta Filarmonía
- The Music of the Galaxies: 50 Years of Star WarsValladolid, Spain · Centro Cultural Miguel Delibes · Film Symphony Orchestra
- Star Wars: A New Hope in ConcertLondon, United Kingdom · Royal Albert Hall · London Symphony Orchestra · Star Wars Weekender, until 2 May
- The Music of the Galaxies: 50 Years of Star WarsMurcia, Spain · Auditorio Víctor Villegas · Film Symphony Orchestra
Awards counted up to the 2026 Academy Awards. Facts reviewed in October 2026.