At 93, John Williams premiered his first-ever piano concerto at Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons and performed by Emanuel Ax. Known for scoring Hollywood blockbusters, Williams ventured into a new musical realm, blending jazz influences from Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson into a daring, intricate composition. Wheeled onto the stage, he received a standing ovation, clasping hands with Ax and Nelsons as the audience erupted. Described as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” the piece marks a historic milestone, proving that creativity and genius only grow stronger with age.

At 93, most legends rest. John Williams, however, just wrote history. The man behind Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park stunned audiences at Tanglewood with the world premiere of his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra — his first-ever piano concerto — performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

John Williams at the premiere of his new piano concerto

Conducted by Andris Nelsons and written for pianist Emanuel Ax, the piece unfolded like a lifetime distilled into sound: daring, intricate, and profoundly human. When Williams, wheeled on stage, clasped hands with Ax and Nelsons, the audience erupted into a roaring ovation fit for a rockstar.

John Williams

The journey began in 2022, when Ax reached out after reading that Williams planned to compose a piano concerto. “I took the bull by the horns,” Ax said — and Williams agreed the very next day. “That’s great,” he replied. “I’ll send it to you.” Two years later, that promise became music.

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Inspired by jazz greats Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson, the concerto diverges from Williams’ cinematic melodies, revealing a thornier, more intimate soundscape. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Williams admitted. “At this point in life, I just want to contribute what little I can — and enjoy making music.”

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The maestro’s humility only deepened the moment’s magic. Emanuel Ax called him “the warmest, kindest, most generous person imaginable.” For the crowd, though, he was something even greater: proof that art, like spirit, never ages.

The concerto will next be performed by the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra in early 2026 — an encore for a man who continues to compose the soundtrack of humanity itself.