Program Notes and Context of the Album
 

• John Williams: Main Theme from "Schindler's List" (1993). Arr: Calvin Custer
   

Concert recording from March 18, 2023, at the Auditorium (Salón de Actos) of the Faculty of Law, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Conductor: Carlos David Jaimes.

Originally composed by John Williams in 1993 for Steven Spielberg's celebrated film, this deeply moving and melancholy piece was originally conceived for solo violin and performed on the soundtrack by Itzhak Perlman. In this successful adaptation by Calvin Custer for clarinet and symphonic band, the instrument takes on a demanding technical and expressive challenge. Due to an extremely extensive range spanning from the lower register to the extreme high register, featuring large octave leaps and a permanent use of legato, the work demands rigorous breath management to maintain the continuity and deep emotional expressiveness of the original phrasing.​
 

• John Williams: "Viktor's Tale" from "The Terminal" (2004). Arr: Paul Lavender
   

This endearing piece was originally written for solo clarinet to portray the tenderness, humanity, and bewilderment of Viktor Navorski, the protagonist stranded at JFK Airport. The score combines an apparent melodic simplicity with light dance passages and Balkan-influenced rhythms that reflect the character's roots.​
 

Want to learn more about the history and structure of these pieces?

Read the blog post (with video) about *Schindler's List* →

Read the blog post (with video) about *Viktor's Tale* →