Legacy Conversations Video Series Ep#03: Sarah Willis

The Legacy of John Williams presents
The Legacy Conversations Video Series - Episode 3
"Bells Up!"
A Conversation with SARAH WILLIS, French Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic
Hosted by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden
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French Horn player Sarah Willis is member of the Berlin Philharmonic since 2001 and she's one of the most generous musical citizen of the world. In addition to being one of the most talented and distinguished French Horn players in the world, she's a true music ambassador of her instrument and a devoted and joyful educator, sharing her deeply passionate love for music and music-making with a worldwide community that's growing bigger every day.
Sarah Willis is a gigantic fan of John Williams and his music since 1977, when she saw Star Wars for the first time with her family. As a member of the Berlin Philharmonic, Sarah was part of the historic concerts that John Williams conducted in Berlin, an experience she doesn't hesitate to define as one of the most joyful she ever had as a musician. This is the main topic of the conversation Sarah had with The Legacy of John Williams for this new episode of the Legacy Conversations video series, where she sat down with editor Maurizio Caschetto and head contributor Tim Burden to recollect the joy and happiness of working for a full week with Maestro Williams, but also the challenges of playing a very demanding repertoire especially for the horn section. Sarah also illustrates what makes John Williams' music so special for the horn player, sharing anecdotes and stories from the rehearsals and the whole experience, but more importantly communicating her deeply contagious love for music and music-making.
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The Legacy of John Williams - Celebrating the Music and the Art of Maestro John Williams:
thelegacyofjoh...
Sarah Willis Official Website:
sarah-willis.com
Sarah Willis' "Horn Hangouts" series:
sarah-willis.c...
"A World Without Beethoven" - John Williams segment:
• No Movie Soundtracks W...
John Williams' Film Night at Tanglewood (featuring Sarah Willis):
• John Williams' Film Night
Review of the John Williams' concerts in Berlin:
bit.ly/3DS2Y0X
John Williams takes Sarah's horn challenge:
• John Williams takes Sa...
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Credits:
The Legacy Conversations Video Series
Episode 3: "Bells Up!" - A Conversation with Sarah Willis
Hosted and Produced by Maurizio Caschetto
Video Editing and Post-Production by Maurizio Caschetto
Photos Courtesy of Sarah Willis, Monika Rittershaus, Stephan Rabold (Berlin Philharmonic)
“Olympic Fanfare and Theme”
Composed and Conducted by John Williams
Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic
Video © 2021 thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com

[@charli3br0wn]

How much I love this woman, her freshness, her smile, her talent and her passion. I enjoyed the concert on Digital Concert hall and felt as moved as you did. The musicians absolutely killed it. Glad to see I wasn't alone, it was indeed a special concert and hearing Sarah's and the musicians point of view of the same experience is a great complement to that. Thanks for the interview, great music geek trivia here! :)

[@safariben1]

What a wonderful guest! I love her enthusiasm and joy, it’s so infectious! You have to have her back because she seems like she’s got so many wonderful stories to tell!! I’m soooooo going to yell out, “Bells up!” The next John Williams concert I go to!!

[@taddhawker7741]

When Sarah spoke of showing more behind-the-scenes content, I have to say that's exactly what I want. I love that Sarah gave input to what it's like as a Low French Horn player vs High register. I love that she had that interview with John Williams and what she really thinks of him. I have been trying to find the ENTIRE CONCERT in Berlin as well as Vienne. There is a number of individual performances from Vienne but not from Berlin. On KZbin, all I see are his ovations. I love all kinds of music. John Williams is what I grew up with and it's usually what I turn to when I need a pick-me-up. Superman theme as an example. Thanks to everyone who gives me the content I love to see. By the way, I know very little about music I just know what I like I guess.

[@ojtrumpet]

What a great conversation! 📯🎵🎶

[@mathiasdodin]

What a wonderful interview, thanks guys! 🤩

[@alexbendig575]

Best podcast ever ! I was in the concert at the 16. and was wondering later on when I saw online that there was leia's theme. So good to get all these backstage information that really are lifting up the whole experience 🎼

[@richardsimoneau744]

Such an incredible conversation. Thanks guys!

[@AdrianEmond]

oh this is amazing

[@januszzz60]

We LOVE Sarah!!

[@TheLegacyOfJohnWilliams]

Yes, we love her too! She's fabulous!

[@jeromeleroymusic]

Fantastic conversation! Bravo!

[@joeleverettmusic6214]

I think we need to give some distance to the music of John Williams to see how he'll fare long term. All of us alive nowadays (esp. younger generation) appreciate him and his music married to popular films that has a direct connection; I'm thinking of the rediscovery of Bach or Vivaldi - I think John's music will be played hundreds of years from now, but it will be interesting - if we could time travel - to see what music becomes standard. (i.e. people that didn't grow up with his films or music being an immediate part of their lives). That being said his music has a direct - I think extra-film - emotional connection so his music will be around - thankfully - a very long time.

[@andrewtea]

Thank you for the great conversation. I wanted to ask which one is the cue from Saving Private Ryan on the Album? The one with the reaction of the mother and the horn playing that was mentioned here?