John Williams is one of the all-time great classical guitarists, a player who has managed to stay relevant and near the top of his game for more than 60 years now!]]>
Interview by Therese Wassily Saba | From the September 2009 issue of Classical Guitar It is well-known that the recording industry has been experiencing difficulties and crises for many and varied reasons, including having to adjust to the demands of the ever-changing and rapidly developing digital formats as well the changes in the marketing of music. While many artists have sought out other avenues for their releases, John Williams has continued to release his valued recordings on Sony Classical. However, […]]]>
By Colin Cooper | From the May & June 2001 issues of Classical Guitar It is not at all usual for non-African musicians to make a success of African music. Like Chinese, Indian and Japanese music and Spanish flamenco, it’s something we tend to leave to those who know most about it, that is the musicians who live there. Nevertheless, white musicians have successfully tackled jazz; flamenco is widely performed outside Andalusia, and attempts have been made, with varying success, […]]]>
In Conversation With Chris Kilvington | From the October 1999 issue of Classical Guitar When I arrived early at John Williams’ house he was deep in the throes of sorting out a welter of newspaper articles about his friend Jacqueline du Pre and the controversy surrounding the film “Hilary and Jackie.” Papers spread out everywhere, he simultaneously organised breakfast, discussed in precise detail some comments I’d made in CG, and spoke warmly about various musicians he’d met only recently. Williams […]]]>
In this 1996 interview, classical guitar great John Williams discusses taking a new look at the guitar world, from repertoire to performance and beyond.]]>
Do spruce top guitars really project better than cedar top guitars? John Williams gives his thoughts on the subject.]]>
Interview by Chris Kilvington and Colin Cooper | From the January and February 1990 issues of Classical Guitar Chris Kilvington: Do you think there’s any mileage in the idea of running a masterclass on television? John Williams: Well, I don’t like masterclasses in that way. But with a group of very talented students, I think one could have a very interesting class—not that I could teach them anything, apart from one or two tips I could pass on, but because […]]]>
In classical guitarist John Williams words: "In terms of... transcriptions, the only thing is—does it work? Does it sound good? Not, 'Is it faithful?'"]]>
BY MARK SMALL [The following article was first published in Acoustic Guitar, January 1999; re-published in Acoustic Guitar‘s September/October 2020 30th Anniversary issue.] In the pantheon of classical guitar greats, Australia-born John Williams stands as a most imposing figure. For decades he has been the archetype for recitalists of the post-Segovia era. His singular technical abilities and thoroughgoing approach to the music he plays have set very high standards for those seeking to follow him. His copious discography contains enduring […]]]>
It’s been too long time since we last featured John Williams and Julian Bream together in a video. Of course they need no introduction to most of you—each belongs in the upper echelons of the classical-guitar pantheon, as among the most important and influential players ever. They made just three albums together, all in the 1970s—Julian & John and Julian & John 2 (neatly collected on a double-CD that belongs in every collection, called Together: The Ultimate Collection), plus the […]]]>