In honour of the 80th birthday of one of the world’s most distinctive and beloved musical voices, Sony Classical is proud to announce the release of 'A Tribute to John Williams – An 80th Birthday Celebration'.  With instantly recognizable themes from some of the biggest movie blockbusters in recent memory, the album is a celebration of John Williams’ stellar career. 

The collection contains his personal favorites, chosen from his film and television music as well as concert works and festive occasion pieces. Of special note is the previously unreleased recording of Williams’ joyous “Happy Birthday Variations”.

Starting with the theme from Jaws through to his latest score for the critically acclaimed War Horse, this is a collection of brilliant music from one of America’s greatest composers.

John Williams is best known as the dean of film composers and possibly the most beloved American composer of orchestral music in his time. In a career spanning almost six decades, Williams has composed some of the most popular film scores in the history of motion pictures: the Star Wars series, Jaws, the Indiana Jones films, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List, the first three Harry Potter films and many more.

Winner of twenty-one Grammy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and five Academy Awards, Williams is easily the most successful composer working in film today.

All of the music on this album is both composed and conducted by John Williams, and also features performances by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Boston Pops and the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra!

Track Listing:
1. Sound the Bells! (American Journey)

2. Out to Sea/Shark Cage Fugue from Jaws (Jaws)

3. Sabrina’s Theme (Sabrina)
Itzhak Perlman, violin

4. March (1941)

5. Adventures on Earth (E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial)

6. Dartmoor, 1912 (War Horse)

7. The Adventures of Mutt (Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)

8. Harry's Wondrous World (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

9. Elegy for Cello & Orchestra
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

10. Going to School (Memoirs of a Geisha)
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

11. The Mission Theme (NBC News)                       

12. Schindler's List Theme (Schindler’s List)
Itzhak Perlman, violin

13. The Adventure Continues (The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn)

14. Throne Room & Finale (Star Wars)                            

15. Happy Birthday Variations