“Potter” composer John Williams celebrates his 80th birthday at Tanglewood music festival

by · August 23, 2012

Last weekend, John Williams – the composer for the first three Harry Potter films – celebrated his 80th birthday at Tanglewood, one of the country’s premiere summer music festivals and summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Pictured above from left to right: Jessye Norman, John Williams, Steven Spielberg, Yo-Yo Ma, Keith Lockhart, and James Taylor

Steven Spielberg and James Taylor made surprise stage appearances, with President Barack Obama, The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, George Lucas, Brian Williams, Seiji Ozawa, and Gustavo Dudamel featured in special video birthday messages to Mr. Williams. The musical program featured the Boston Pops Orchestra, conductors Keith Lockhart, Leonard Slatkin, and Shi-Yeon Sung, and guest artists Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero, Jessye Norman, and Gil Shaham, as well as members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The program opened with John Williams’s Olympic Fanfare with the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, followed by beloved themes from E.T., Harry Potter, Star Wars, Schindler’s List and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Yesterday, we informed you that John Williams is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Classic BRIT Awards on October 2.

Happy 80th Birthday Mr. Williams!