John Williams (guitarist)

John Christopher Williams (born 24 April 1941) is one of the world's best-known classical guitarists. He was born in Melbourne in Australia and was taught initially by his father Len Williams. At the age of twelve he went to Italy to study under Andrés Segovia. Later, he attended the Royal College of Music in London, studying piano because the school did not have a guitar department at the time. Upon graduation, he was offered the opportunity to create such a department, which he did, and ran for the first two years. He has maintained links with the College (and with the Northern College in Manchester) ever since.

Related Topics:
24 April - 1941 - Classical guitar - Melbourne - Australia - Len Williams - Italy - Andrés Segovia - Royal College of Music - London

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Williams is best known as a classical guitarist, but has explored many different musical traditions. He has collaborated with Julian Bream and Paco Peña and was a member of the fusion group Sky. He is also a composer and arranger.

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Julian Bream - Paco Peña - Sky - Composer

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Williams has commissioned guitar concertos from composers such as Stephen Dodgson, André Previn, Patrick Gowers, Richard Harvey and Steve Gray. He has also worked with composers from his native Australia, including Phillip Houghton, Peter Sculthorpe and Nigel Westlake, to produce guitar works that capture the spirit of his homeland.

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Concerto - Stephen Dodgson - André Previn - Patrick Gowers - Richard Harvey - Steve Gray - Phillip Houghton - Peter Sculthorpe - Nigel Westlake

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He enjoyed a worldwide hit single with his recording of Cavatina by Stanley Myers, used as the theme tune to the Oscar-winning film The Deer Hunter (1979). The piece had originally been written for piano, for another film ten years earlier, The Walking Stick (1970) but re-written for guitar and expanded by Myers at Williams' invitation. In 1973, Cleo Laine wrote lyrics and recorded the song "He Was Beautiful" accompanied by John Williams. A year later, it was a top 5 UK hit single for Iris Williams (no relation).

Related Topics:
Cavatina - Stanley Myers - Oscar - The Deer Hunter - The Walking Stick - Cleo Laine

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He is visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

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