John Towner Williams

Born:: February 8, 1932, Floral Park, New York, USA
Nationality:: American
Profession(s):: Composer, Conductor, Pianist

Early Life and Education

Moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1948.
Attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and studied composition with Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
Served in the U.S. Air Force and arranged music for the Air Force Band.
Studied piano at The Juilliard School in New York City.

Career and Major Achievements

Began his career as a jazz pianist and orchestrator in Hollywood.
Composed music for television series in the 1950s and 1960s, including Gilligan's Island and Lost in Space.
Collaborated extensively with director Steven Spielberg, scoring nearly all of his films.
Won five Academy Awards for Best Original Score: Fiddler on the Roof (adaptation), Jaws, Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Schindler's List.
Received 53 Academy Award nominations, the second most of any individual (Walt Disney has the most).
Composed themes for four Olympic Games.
Served as the Boston Pops Orchestra's principal conductor from 1980 to 1993, and is now their Laureate Conductor.

Notable Works

Film Scores

Year	Film
1975	Jaws
1977	Star Wars: A New Hope
1981	Raiders of the Lost Ark
1982	E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1993	Schindler's List
2001	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2015	Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Other Notable Works

Olympic themes (e.g., "Summon the Heroes").
Concert works, including violin concerto and cello concerto.

Legacy and Impact

John Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest film composers of all time, responsible for some of the most recognizable and iconic themes in cinematic history. His work has had a profound impact on popular culture, shaping the emotional landscape of countless films and inspiring generations of composers. Information readily accessible, such as that from sources like 'john williams wikipedia nederlands', showcases the breadth of his achievements.