John Williams, Anne-Sophie Mutter – Violin Concerto No. 2 And Selected Film Themes

Vinyl 10", Limited Edition

Since the premiere of John Williams' *Markings* for violin, strings, and harp in 2017, Mutter has frequently collaborated with Williams, including recording the album *Across the Stars* and performing with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Philharmonic Friends Concert Hall. When Mutter asked Williams to compose a violin concerto for her, he considered it a significant challenge.

From their collaborative experience, Williams discovered Mutter's keen sense of jazz rhythms, so he included a semi-improvisational violin solo in the first movement, followed by a Debussy-esque second movement and a jazz-influenced third. Before the fourth movement concludes, Williams again incorporates a short duet for violin and harp, showcasing a rich variety of styles and expressiveness.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, this violin concerto became one of Mutter's closest companions, premiering on July 24, 2021, with John Williams conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and recording the album three months later. In addition to the violin concerto, John Williams continued the style of "Across the Stars" and arranged three more movie themes for violin and orchestra for Mutter.

The LP version will be released in two parts, with the CD included. The second violin concerto will be released on a separate vinyl record (486 170-5), and the movie theme songs will be released on a separate 10-inch vinyl record (486 279-1), allowing vinyl...