MMM | A John Williams Celebration

0000: Few composers have shaped film history as profoundly as John Williams. His music for has become part of our cultural memory.

Sometimes just a few notes are enough – and the cinema begins to play in our minds. A spaceship glides through space. A shark approaches from the deep. A child on his bicycle lifts off into the sky. Or a lone violin speaks of pain and hope. Few composers have shaped our cinematic memory as profoundly as John Williams.

This music film invites audiences to encounter one of the most significant film composers of our time. At its center is the gala opening concert "A John Williams Celebration" at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on September 30, 2014. The young Gustavo Dudamel, himself a great admirer and friend of Williams, conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic through a program that unfolds the full breadth of John Williams' work – from grand symphonic soundscapes to his quiet, deeply human compositions.

Between the musical highlights, personal memories and conversations offer a glimpse of the man behind the world-famous melodies. Anne-Sophie Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Willis, Cameron Carpenter, Ramin Djawadi, Chloé Dufresne, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, and Alex Komlew speak about an artist whose modesty is as striking as his creative power. They tell of music that adds a spark of magic to Hollywood's stories – and that captivates audiences even when Williams isn't composing for the screen.

Five Oscars, 27 Grammys, and countless other honors mark a singular career. John Williams did not become a legend overnight. His music has grown over decades – and with it, a sound that connects generations.

English series title Magic Moments of Music
Duration 43/52 min
Director Wilma Pradetto, Sophia Wischmann
Producer Claus Wischmann
Production Company ZDF/Arte, sounding images
Distribution VOD C Major Entertainment
Co-Producer Christopher Janssen