When I found out that Johnny was coming to London to conduct the LSO, I knew this would be an event I couldn't miss. He was doing 4 nights in London, and had chosen a good selection of music to conduct.

About a month before, I booked two tickets: they were top seats. I live 100 miles away from the concert hall.
Just a day after I booked, I was reading through the local newspaper and something caught my eye, Williams was coming to my city to perform at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, one of the best halls in the country.
I was in a dilemma, should I go to both or try and cancel the London one? I did the latter because it would be so much easier. I wish I could have gone to all 5 nights, but it wasn't possible.

Well, me and my friend got to the hall with a hour to spare and I was a little surprised that there not many people around the hall waiting. We walked into the hall before the doors were opened and my jaw hit the ground. This hall was beautiful but we were ushered out quickly, doors open 30 mins prior to the performance.

When the doors finally opened, I rushed in and found my seats, and a great view it was, albeit a little too far away. I was sitting near the back, on the fourth level looking down to the stage on the opposing side.
30min flew by while I was taking in the great atmosphere, which was building. The crowd were flooding in, the hall was filling up fast.

The doors closed, the orchestra walked in with their instruments and sat down. Everyone claps their entrance. After a minute or so we stop clapping anxiously awaiting the maestro. The lights around the stage dim and John Williams makes his entrance, we all go crazy he acknowledges us by bowing.

He takes the conductor's baton, wanting the orchestra’s attention and we are off, beginning with 'Sound The Bells'. I didn’t have the program so I didn’t know what the music was. I thoroughly enjoyed it though.

Next came excerpts from Far and Away and Born on the 4th of July, I wasn't familiar with either of them really, because I haven't watched the films yet and don't own the CDs. Even though the music wasn't familiar, I thoroughly enjoyed it, the orchestra were playing majestically.

Then the maestro takes time to talk to us, he mentions that he loves the hall and then introduces the Star Wars suite. He said that he will begin work on the Star Wars prequel music in 2 months, to hear that news was satisfying because I heard him say it to us.

John gets the attention of the orchestra and we are straight into the swirling "Asteroid field", without the introduction of the "Imperial March". We are thrown right into the action. My body hairs were standing high, the chills, the excitement I was feeling was incredible. Then "Luke and Leia's" theme is played, one of my favourites on the Jedi CD and then to end the suite, Star Wars Throne room music and end titles. This version has a clear statement of Luke's theme and the longer throne room music, I was drooling at this stage. What a performance, the whole orchestra was working so hard, full of passion, it was great.

After the suite, Williams and the orchestra bow to the audience and take a break. Me and my friend just sat there while 70% of the audience were having their break in the bar. I  was sitting thinking what he will do in the encore section, please do Superman, or "Imperial March"? gotta do "Raiders".

15 minutes later the audience returned, the orchestra took their seats and Johnny returns to an ecstatic crowd. No hanging around, the baton is raised and straight into 'Devils Dance' from Witches From Eastwick, this reminded me of 'Elfman'. I don't own this CD, but I really enjoyed it.

Then some eerie music began, yes!!! Close Encounters and one of my favourites, the opening theme, just a minute but so effective. I was looking around the audience, some people looked puzzled. Then they played some more music from the film, including material from the "Special Edition" and the End titles. I can't explain how good this music is; masterpiece is one word that can describe it.

The next theme was from The Lost World, I really like this one, sounded like thunder being creative. Then the mood changes into romance, main theme from Sabrina. I don't own the cd but it's a very likeable tune. The main violinist was inspiring to watch.

Then Williams acknowledge the audience and talked about conducting to film and synchronisation. He also talked about how he couldn't get the music during the finale of E.T. (Bicycle chase) to synch perfectly with the scenes in the film.

So the final piece entitled 'Adventure On Earth' begins, the hairs once again rose, this was beautiful, you could feel the energy from the orchestra. The finale to the cue was incredible, hard to describe in words, but just fantastic!

Everyone stood up and applauded and applauded. John left the stage for a brief moment. I knew there was an encore coming because the Orchestra didn't leave. John came back onto the stage and told us about a little game he plays, it is called ENCORE!!! He said a few words on the next piece titled 'Hell's Kitchen' from Sleepers, I haven't seen the film yet nor do I own the score so I wasn't sure what to expect. I am not sure if I liked it because it is one of those tunes which doesn't stay in the head. Nevertheless, it was played superbly, but I would be lying if I said I loved it.
The next piece was the main theme from Schindler's List, this moved me a little, the young lady on the lead violin Janice Graham was absolute brilliant, her work was tremendous that night. Another standing ovation, I kept asking myself if there would be one more tune? The crowd sat down once again and the extended 'Raiders March' begins, we all went nuts, Williams turns around and acknowledges us and we quickly stop clapping to hear the final piece. This cue gave me the chills, what a performance of the Raiders March. Williams and the LSO were enjoying it immensely, it was great to see him conduct with so much passion. Once it ended everyone went berserk in the nicest possible way. Williams acknowledges each section of the hall. I was clapping hardest for Janice Graham, she was brilliant.

We didn't want Williams to leave, he cocked his head to one side on his hands indicating that it was time to sleep. The orchestra and John left the stage and we made our way out.  I tell you ladies and gentlemen, it was a night that I will never forget, it was phenomenal. I really wanted to go to London and watch the four concerts there, too, but I know I will see Johnny again in the future hopefully conducting prequel music. Okay, he didn't do Superman, which would have fitted in perfectly since the concert was titled 'Inventing America', but I experienced an event which has kindly left a scar in me forever!!!