Concerto Straordinario: John Williams (2022)

CONCERTO STRAORDINARIO: JOHN WILLIAMS (a.k.a. John Williams in Milan)
Music composed and conducted by John Williams
Performed by the Filarmonica della Scala
December 12, 2022
Teatro alla Scala
Milan, Italy

PART 1: DODGING DISASTER

This concert almost didn’t happen for me.

I successfully overcame the hurdles of securing a concert ticket and getting permission from the missus to go, but there was one last hurdle that I hadn’t anticipated: my passport. See, I didn’t realize that you needed at least three months left on your passport to be accepted into the EU- at the time, I had a bit over two months remaining until my passport expired.

I had searched online about VISA information and felt safe knowing that it wasn’t an issue since I was travelling as a tourist. Perhaps that is why I overlooked the passport requirement.

Anyway, I literally found out about the passport requirement 2 weeks before the concert, and boy did I panic!! A quick Google search showed that typical passport renewal times were averaging a few months, and even if I chose the “express” option, I still wouldn’t have gotten a new passport in time.

Filled with disappointment and despair, I did the only thing I could: I got on the phone with my embassy in Tokyo and told them of my predicament.

Amazingly, they said it wasn’t a problem – they would just issue me an “emergency” passport. An “emergency passport” you say? Yep. It seems these are for people who lose their passports or need a new passport issued right away.

They obviously cost a fair chunk of cash, but it was totally worth it to see John Williams in concert!

After submitting my application and making payment, the emergency passport arrived within 3-4 business days. MY TRIP TO SEE JOHN WILLIAMS WAS SAVED!!

(the above is 100% true – so I strongly recommended checking your passport and VISA requirements carefully before travelling abroad!)

PART 2: BEFORE THE CONCERT

After my minor “passport” scare outlined above, I can happily say that I have once again had the very fortunate pleasure of seeing the one and only John Williams conduct his own music live in concert. And this was not just any concert – it was his first ever performance in Italy, and at the famed Teatro alla Scala in Milan no less!

This was very different from the last (and first) time I saw Williams at the Hollywood Bowl earlier that year. While that was a memorable concert in itself, the program was missing a lot of my favorites, half the concert was not conducted by Williams, and honestly, the sound of insects buzzing nearby dampened my enjoyment somewhat.

But yes, for me, this Milan concert was very special indeed. It was the first and most likely last time I could see John Williams conduct an entire concert from start to end.

On the morning of the concert I intentionally took a tour of Teatro alla Scala in hopes of perhaps catching a rehearsal or even seeing JW walking around admiring the historic hall. Obviously, I had no luck – but it was worth a try 😉

When evening came I thought I would come a bit early and wait outside the stage door with hopes of running into Williams. A lot of other people were thinking the same thing because when I arrived at the stage door there were dozens of people already waiting outside. I don’t think anyone seriously thought we’d be able to actually see and interact with JW, but it was fun waiting in the cold with other fans clasping our favourite Williams record or CD jacket.

A black car with darkened windows finally appeared and we all lit up knowing that our hero was finally here. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t catch a glimpse of JW and his car went quickly into the stage entrance parking with his security guards in tow. Oh well.

PART 3: CONCERT REPORT

To be perfectly honest, most of the concert is now a blur to me because I was so busy enjoying the moment and being bowled over by the music that I just can’t remember the details of each and every piece. This sometimes happens when I’m at a concert and truly focusing on the experience of “feeling” the music.

However, there are some things that I do remember.

The concert started with one of my all-time favourites, “The Flight to Neverland” from HOOK. I just adore what I refer to as the “flight” part (video below from 2:50) – just after the pirate fighting music, the music quickly switches gears and paints this terrifically vivid picture of someone running and then lifting off into the air… the music here is just so full of wonder, excitement, and pure joy. How can anyone NOT smile during this piece?

Prior to the concert, E.T.’s “Adventures on Earth” had been on non-stop rotation on my digital audio player (DAP) for months, so to say that I was looking forward to hearing it live for the first time is a major understatement.

The main memory I have of it being performed in Milan is how forcefully Williams conducted the string section right after the brass play the rising fanfare-like theme (as a non-musician, please excuse my lack of musical vocab!) – you can hear exactly what I’m talking about if you listen to the below clip of him conducting it in Vienna from 7:32 to 7:42. At his age, I was astounded to see him conducting it with such energy, and it just made me love and appreciate the music even more.

Francesco De Angelis’ stunning performance of SCHINDLER’S LIST is another one forever etched in my memory. I’m not sure how to describe it exactly in the correct musical terms, but it sounded quite different from usual performances… it was slower, more thoughtful, and just felt more emotional. Listen for yourself below – just watching it again and reliving that moment just makes my eyes well up again.

The “Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra” from INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE was pure fun and made me vividly recall the scenes that they accompany in the film. I really felt as if I was there with Indy and his dad during their madcap escape from the castle.

The final applause when Williams decided to retire for the night was truly something – so loud, so passionate, and so full of appreciation. While John Williams is surely mortal, he was most definitely being worshipped as a God that night.

Overall, it was a fabulous evening and program – it would have been perfect if only they had swapped out FAR AND AWAY for JURASSIC PARK. I still hold out hope that I will hear Williams conduct it someday!

PART 4: CONCERT MERCH

One major disappointment of the night is that I was not able to get a miniature poster that was being distributed after the concert.

I remember walking out of the auditorium and seeing a small crowd of people at the side of the lobby. I walked up and saw people looking through empty boxes and under the table, and wondering what they were looking for. I thought they had just missed out on the free program, which I managed to get at the beginning of the night.

But as I walked outside the Teatro alla Scala, I saw a few people holding a miniature poster. Surprised, I asked a man with one where he got it from, and he told me he got it in the lobby! I decided to immediately head back in and try to find one, but before I did that, the man told me to ask for a “locandina,” which is the Italian word for “poster.” He repeated the word to me to make sure I remembered it and said “good luck!” (to kind Italian man with excellent English skills: if you are reading this, THANK YOU 😊)

In the end, I could not get a “locandina” that night, but managed to get one later from an eBay scalper (shame on you!).

PART 5: SPOTTING PINO & HEARING ABOUT MUTTER

Although I (and pretty much every other mortal) was unable to meet Williams, I did spot famed composer Pino Donaggio in the audience in the first row of the second block in the arena. I was hoping to catch him for a photo, but alas he disappeared pretty quickly after the concert.

According to reports Anne-Sophie Mutter was also there, but I didn’t see her…

PART 6: OTHER REVIEWS

For a plethora of reviews, reports, videos and photos of “John Williams in Milan,” check out the fabulous summary page at JWFan here.

PART 7: OVER TO YOU

Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?

And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.