“I never liked film music very much.” The line landed in a Guardian biography excerpt and exploded across U.S. press this week, forcing a rare public rethink from the composer behind Star Wars and Jaws. The reaction matters because a single sentence from a 93‑year‑old icon reframes how critics, orchestras, and fans value film scores today. My take: this is an insider’s provocation, not a dismissal — but it could change programming and concert treatment of movie music. What Should Fans And Musicians Do Next?
What John Williams Said In 2025 And What Changes Now For Film Scores
Key Facts
- John Williams Told Biographer Tim Grieving, “I never liked film music very much.” (Aug 24, 2025)
- The Quote Originated In A Guardian Interview With Grieving (Original Excerpt Aug 24, 2025).
- Variety Amplified U.S. Coverage Of The Line (Aug 27, 2025).
- Williams Is 93 Years Old With A Six‑Decade Composing Career.
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John Williams’s sentence landed not as a throwaway grumble but as a pointed critique: he called much film music “ephemeral” and “not there” as concert repertoire. That sting is amplified because it comes from the man whose themes helped define blockbuster culture. The remark forces venues, programmers, and listeners to ask: are film scores being curated and presented with the seriousness they deserve — or left as disposable soundtrack wallpaper?
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Reactions split predictably: fans defended legacy themes; classical musicians welcomed a rigorous standard; some critics wondered whether the comment is modesty or a provocation. Critics argued Williams questions the concert viability of many scores; performers worry programs could shrink; fans feel a punch to nostalgia. Who’s right depends on your yardstick: artistic canon versus audience memory. Which Side Do You Take As A Listener Or Concertgoer?
The Numbers Behind The Quote: Age, Dates, And Coverage Data
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Composer Age | 93 years | Adds Historical Perspective |
| Original Interview Date | 24 Aug 2025 | Source Of The Novel Quote |
| U.S. Amplification Date | 27 Aug 2025 | Wider Media Coverage Following Guardian Piece |
A Guardian interview and U.S. coverage pushed this private critique into public debate.
Who Said It And Why A 93-Year-Old’s Words Still Carry Weight
John Williams Said It To Biographer Tim Grieving; the passage was first published by The Guardian and later picked up by U.S. outlets. His age and enormous catalogue — Oscars and iconic themes — mean this is less a casual jibe and more a professional assessment. When the architect of modern film motifs calls the genre “fragmentary,” orchestras and festivals take note: program choices, ticket sales, and how scores are edited for concert halls could shift.
How Musicians, Programmers, And Fans Might React In 2025
Expect three immediate effects: orchestras may revisit how they present scores (full restorations versus suites), record labels might promote concert editions more aggressively, and festivals will debate canonical status. That creates opportunity: if institutions treat scores as reconstructible concert works, Williams’s challenge could elevate certain composers. If not, the remark could harden a divide between concert repertory and cinematic nostalgia.
What This 2025 Admission Means For Film Music Fans And Composers Today
Two sentences: The immediate fallout is a debate over curation — will film music be rescued as concert repertoire or remain background culture? Watch festival programs and orchestra season notes this year; Williams’s verdict may change what gets performed, recorded, and taught.
Sources
- https://variety.com/2025/film/news/john-williams-never-liked-film-music-1236499212/
- https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/aug/24/composer-john-williams-never-liked-film-music-very-much
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.