Donnybrook

Some of music’s greatest melodies are found in the soundtracks of John Williams, many of which have been rearranged by the composer for violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Across the Stars is a true meeting of minds. Mutter’s golden tone fits Williams’ sumptuous tunes like a glove in the beautiful main theme from Schindler’s List and “Across the Stars” from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, while her technical mastery has inspired Williams to transform “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone into a virtuosic fantasy for violin and orchestra. There are some lesser-known gems here, too, including the soaring “Nice to Be Around” from 1973’s Cinderella Liberty and the grippingly angular “Night Journeys” from the 1979 movie Dracula.

Ireland's answer to the Incredible String Band, Dr. Strangely Strange engaged in the same type of psychedelic acoustic music with folksy arrangements. With traditional instruments like penny whistle, fiddle, harmonium, and mandolin, Dr. Strangely Strange was more solidly rooted in melody and structure than the group's flaky Scottish counterparts. Produced by British modern folk guru Joe Boyd, "Kip of the Serenes" is built around simple and repetitious melodies occasionally interrupted by stream-of-consciousness musical and lyrical diversions. This simplistic approach would be abandoned with their 1970 follow-up, "Heavy Petting", which saw their first partnership with electric guitarist Gary Moore.

DG presents John Williams in Vienna, the live recordings of the Hollywood legend's Vienna Philharmonic 2020 debut. Saying it's "one of the greatest honors of my life," he received a standing ovation before a single note was played. Sharing the stage with the famous orchestra and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, he performs iconic themes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and other cinematic landmarks that have earned countless awards: 5 Oscars, 5 Emmys.