Back to Show
Great Performances
John Williams Recording His Great Performances Theme Music
Watch the great composer John Williams at work at Royce Hall in Los Angeles, CA, recording the theme song he wrote for Great Performances. The theme won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music and has been heard on Great Performances broadcasts since its debut on King Lear, starring Ian McKellen, March 27, 2009.
Support Provided By
Season
Unlock with PBS Passport
54:25
Discover the inspirations Spain provided composer Isaac Albéniz with host Scott Yoo.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Experience the creation of music from this Japanese American composer with host Scott Yoo.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:25
Visit Scotland, Germany and France with host Scott Yoo.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:55
Tango to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with host Scott Yoo.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:53:25
Experience David Strathairn as reluctant Holocaust witness, Jan Karski.
Unlock with PBS Passport
54:25
Glimpse behind the curtain at Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman’s famed concert.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:50:38
Experience the world-renowned baritone perform with special guests including Cyndi Lauper.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:22:25
Celebrate with a performance of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” led by Jaap van Zweden.
Unlock with PBS Passport
2:11:32
Experience this powerful opera with a libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.
1:24:17
Explore Shakespeare’s love life in this ballet featuring music by Rhiannon Giddens.
1:13:31
Take an inside look at the reimagined production as it returns to Broadway.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:49:55
Experience Shakespeare’s comedy from the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park.