Arts & Entertainment
Roger Wilkie, the Right Hand of Legendary Film Composer John Williams
With 49 Academy Award nominations, film composer John Williams trusts Roger Wilkie to lead his orchestras. Carpenter Center Nov. 19 8 p.m.
Think you’ve never heard of violinist Roger Wilkie? Think again. If you’ve watched a Steven Spielberg movie in the past 30 years, you’ve probably heard his work.
In fact Mr. Wilkie has had a hand in more than 1,000 films, and since the late 1980s has served as violinist and later concertmaster for one of the most famous and influential film composers and conductors ever, John Williams.
Anyone who has seen “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” or “Jurassic Park” can remember the music that created the intense and dramatic moods these films present. Mr. Williams created these soundtracks, along the way gathering five Academy Awards and 49 Academy Award nominations (the second most in history behind Walt Disney). And for much of that time he has relied on Mr. Wilkie’s violin prowess on his soundtracks.
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“He’s very demanding, always respectful, but demanding,” Mr. Wilkie said. “And I think there’s always an almost palpable feeling in the room that you are doing your best and you have to put out your best every second.”
Mr. Williams knows what he wants from a film score from the minute he steps out of the sound booth, Mr. Wilkie said.
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“Anytime working with John Williams is always a great experience because he really is a master,” Mr. Wilkie said. “We go to work and there is never a note changed, or hardly ever.”
Mr. Wilkie has served as concertmaster for Mr. Williams’ orchestras since 2005.
The role of concertmaster is a great responsibility. Usually the leader of the first violin section, the concertmaster is relied upon to learn music quickly, count rests accurately and generally lead the rest of the string section.
“I must respond to the conductor,” Mr. Wilkie said. “If I am unsure, it creates insecurity throughout the (violin) section. I must play in a decisive way—even physically—in order to ensure that the others feel confident.”
Mr. Wilkie’s concertmaster credits include such films as “Indiana Jones IV,” “Munich,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” He spent this summer recording the soundtrack for the much-anticipated sequel “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
In Recital Roger Wilkie, violin, Joanne Pearce Martin, Piano Nov. 19, 2015 8 p.m. (562) 985-7000
