A Celebration

2012 two CD collection, released to coincide with the composer/conductor's 80th birthday. This compilation presents almost 2 « hours of memorable tunes in magnificent arrangements performed with tremendous verve and panache by this incomparable combination. Derived from the many albums recorded for Philips the first CD is devoted chiefly to music from famous films and includes several numbers by Williams himself -- and what is more arresting and has achieved greater global fame than the main theme from Star Wars which opens the disc? Disc Two is devoted mainly to overtures and popular numbers from shows and opens with one of the most effervescent overtures ever written -- that to Bernstein's Candide. Even if you may think you don't know a piece by its title every track in this program is instantly recognizable so sit back and enjoy!