A Special Night of Music: John Williams & Saito Kinen Orchestra – Schindler’s List (Live at Suntory Hall, 2023)

On an emotional December evening at Suntory Hall, Tokyo, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, John Williams, reunited with his fans for a special performance with the Saito Kinen Orchestra. The event brought a powerful and emotional musical space, as they performed the famous Schindler’s List, the music that became the symbol of the Steven Spielberg film of the same name.

A work that bears the mark of John Williams, Schindler’s List is not only the soundtrack to a film but also a reminder of the brutality of history and the resilience of humanity. At the concert, every note resonated with emotion, as if each note in the music evoked painful memories of the Holocaust.

Under the direction of Maestro Seiji Ozawa, the Saito Kinen Orchestra delivered a top-notch performance. Feeling the silence in each passage, and then the explosion of the climaxes, the audience could not help but be drawn into a haunting and contemplative musical space. In particular, the violin of Itzhak Perlman – the soloist in this concert – highlighted the pain and sorrow of the music. Each of Perlman’s fingers seemed to sing the sighs of the departed souls, creating a strong connection between the music and the audience.

More than just a concert, Schindler’s List in this performance is a story, a reminiscence, and also a message about the value of humanity. When the orchestra and the performers blend together, John Williams’ music is no longer just wonderful melodies, but becomes a common language, sharing and engraving unforgettable historical memories.

The audience at Suntory Hall not only enjoyed a great musical work, but also participated in an emotional journey where music and history met, making each person ask questions about humanity, about existence and about the price of silence in humanity’s darkest moments.