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94-Year-Old Williams Premieres New Piano Concerto
3 Mar
Summary
- John Williams debuted his first piano concerto at 94.
- The concerto pays homage to jazz greats Tatum, Evans, Peterson.
- Emanuel Ax performed the world premiere at Tanglewood.
Legendary composer John Williams, at 94, has premiered his inaugural piano concerto, a genre he had not previously explored despite his background as a pianist. The work was first performed by Emanuel Ax at Tanglewood last summer and subsequently presented by the New York Philharmonic in February 2026.
The concerto, inspired by Ax's commission, is a rich composition that draws significant influence from 20th-century jazz pianists Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson. Williams abstracts their unique qualities, from Tatum's harmonic complexity and rapid note delivery to Evans's atmospheric piano style and Peterson's high-speed technique.
Each movement offers distinct nods to these jazz giants, beginning with a solo cadenza for Ax showcasing his virtuosity. The second movement features a languid viola solo, highlighting Williams's appreciation for lyricism and instrumental tone. The finale evokes Peterson's energetic style with a driving timpani riff.
This new work stands apart from Williams's iconic film scores, exploring a different facet of his musical imagination. The performance also coincided with the New York Philharmonic's presentation of Mieczysław Weinberg's Fifth Symphony, a 1961 work reflecting intense emotional topography from its era.
