John Williams Compilations

 

During the 1970s, CBS Records issued several LP compilation albums of previously-recorded material, re-organised along thematic or compositorial lines. As far as I'm aware, the list below is complete, but if anyone knows about a record I've missed, please get in touch! I've lived all my life in Europe and know that there must be compilations issued elsewhere which I simply don't know about. They also released three box sets of previous recordings, which I have listed on a separate page (I don't own any of them and I have a complete listing only for one).

More compilations on CD were to follow when CDs became the dominant medium a decade later, which are listed on a separate page. To the best of my knowledge, only one of the LPs on this page (Great Performances) was issued on CD with the same artwork and content.

To avoid confusion, and because there are so many of them, see this page for compilations from John Williams' three "jazz-pop" albums from the 1970s, and this page for re-issues of his first two albums recorded by Delysé/Decca.

Le Grand Classique

John Williams: Le Grand Classique
An Exclusive Collection

CBS LSP 15858
Released 1986

Promotional disc produced by CBS for
Parfums Guy Laroche

De Falla: The Miller's Dance
Spanish Music
Albéniz: Cadiz Echoes of Spain
Albéniz: Zambra Grenadina Echoes of Spain
Gowers: Stevie Stevie Soundtrack
Telemann: Bourée alla polacca John Williams and Friends
Myers: Cavatina Portrait of John Williams
Mozart: Turkish Rondo John Williams and Friends
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major Vivaldi and Giuliani Concertos
Sanz: Canarios Spanish Music
Lennon/McCartney: Fool on the Hill Portrait of John Williams

Great Performances: Rodrigo

Great Performances: Rodrigo

CBS 60104
Released 1981

Also Released on CD in 1990, cat. no. 36717
(which should not be confused with a later CD of the same title, which includes both compositions, but different recordings...)

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez from
Two Guitar Concertos I
Rodrigo: Fantasia para un Gentilhombre from Two Guitar Concertos II

The Guitar Music of John Williams

The Guitar Music of John Williams

TellyDisc TELLY3 (double LP)
Released 1980

This is a serious oddity, as it is the one and only compilation record ever released which combines tracks from John Williams' recordings for CBS with those for Cube Records.

Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Albeniz: Tango Spanish Music
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio Rodrigo & Villa-Lobos

De Falla: The Miller's Dance Spanish Music
Sor: Variations on a Theme by Mozart Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Villa Lobos: Prelude No. 4 More Virtuoso Music
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Paganini: Sonata in A Major Virtuoso Music For Guitar

Bach: Gavotte (Lute Suite No. 4) CBS Records Presents John Williams
Giuliani: Variations on a Theme by Handel Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Villa Lobos: Prelude No. 2 More Virtuoso Music
Cavatina Changes
Spanish Trip (Canarios) Changes

Mozart: Turkish Rondo John Williams and Friends
Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring John Williams and Friends
Telemann: Bourrée alla Polacca John Williams and Friends
Bach: J.S.B. Travelling
Bach: All At Sea Minor Travelling

Recollections

Recollections

CBS 10016
Released 1979

This one has a particular place in my heart, as this album (or rather, the cassette version) inspired my quest to acquire John Williams' complete back-catalogue

Albeniz: Sevilla (tr. Segovia)
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major Gowers & Scarlatti
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio Rodrigo & Villa-Lobos
Lauro: Vals Criollo Music from England, Japan, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico
Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring John Williams and Friends
Ponce: Scherzino Mexicano CBS Records Presents John Williams
Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1 in E Minor Rhapsody
Bach: Gavotte (Lute Suite No. 4) CBS Records Presents John Williams
Gowers: Stevie Stevie Soundtrack
Torroba: Madronos Spanish Music
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Albeniz: Tango Spanish Music
Theodorakis: Three Epitafios for Solo Guitar Songs of Freedom

John Williams plays Stephen Dodgson

John Williams plays Stephen Dodgson

CBS 61841
Released 1979

Concerto No. 1
Two Guitar Concertos
Duo Concertante Music for Guitar and Harpsichord
Partita No.1 Virtuoso Music For Guitar

John Williams Collection

John Williams Collection

CBS 73784
Released 1978

Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1 in E Minor
Rhapsody
Dowland: Fantasie No. 7 Songs for Voice and Guitar
Barrios: Madrigal John Williams ~ Barrios
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio Rodrigo & Villa-Lobos
Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring John Williams and Friends
M. Albeniz: Sonata in D Spanish Music
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Granados: La Maya de Goya Spanish Music
Paganini: Caprice No. 24 Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Mozart: Turkish Rondo John Williams and Friends

John Williams Plays Paganini

John Williams Plays Paganini

CBS 73745
Released 1978

This is my favourite John Williams LP cover and I have a second copy framed on my wall.

Paganini: Caprice No. 24
Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Paganini: Sonata in A Major Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Paganini: Terzetto in D major Haydn and Paganini
Giuliani: Variations on a Theme by Handel Virtuoso Variations for Guitar

John Williams Plays Patrick Gowers

John Williams Plays Patrick Gowers

CBS 61790
Released 1977

This is a companion-piece to the below entry, as the original releases paired each of the items here with each of the items there.

Gowers: Rhapsody
Rhapsody
Chamber Concerto Gowers & Scarlatti

Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes, Scarlatti: Sonatas

Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes,
Scarlatti: Sonatas

CBS 73545
Released 1976

Also released as
The Golden Guitar of John Williams
Hallmark SHM 3086

Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes
Rhapsody
Scarlatti: Sonatas Gowers & Scarlatti

Greatest Hits

John Williams Greatest Hits

CBS 30051
Released 1974

Also known as The Best of John Williams.

This compilation was John Williams' biggest-selling LP until that time, and made the Top Ten in the UK (pop) Album Charts.

Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
De Falla: The Miller's Dance Spanish Music
Trad. Catalan: El testamen de Amelia CBS Records Presents John Williams
Bach: Gavotte (Lute Suite No. 4) CBS Records Presents John Williams
Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major Vivaldi and Giuliani Concertos
Sagreras: El Colibri CBS Records Presents John Williams
Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major Gowers & Scarlatti
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Praetorius: Ballet More Virtuoso Music
Praetorius: La Volta More Virtuoso Music
Trad. Catalan: El Noy De La Mare Spanish Music
Lauro: Vals Criollo Music from England, Japan, Brazil, ...
Rodrigo: Fantasia para un gentilhombre - Canarios Two Guitar Concertos

John Williams

"John Williams"
(if someone could translate the Japanese title for me, I'd be grateful)

Japan SMT 1019-1020 (Double LP)
Released early 1970s

disc below extended to a double LP.

LP1
Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Albeniz: Tango Spanish Music
De Falla: The Three Cornered Hat Spanish Music

Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Trad. Catalan: El testamen de Amelia CBS Records Presents John Williams
Sor: Variations on a Theme by Mozart Virtuoso Variations for Guitar

LP2
Bach: Chaconne Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Batchelor: Mounsiers Almaine Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Giuliani: Variations on a Theme by Handel Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
M. Albeniz: Sonata in D Spanish Music

Yokoh: Sakura Music from England, Japan, Brazil, ...
Villa-Lobos: Chôros No. 1 Music from England, Japan, Brazil, ...
Lauro: Vals Criollo Music from England, Japan, Brazil, ...
de Falla: Homenaje Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Torroba: Madroños Spanish Music
Ponce: Scherzino Mexicano CBS Records Presents John Williams
Paganini: Caprice No. 24 Virtuoso Variations for Guitar

Recuerdos de la Alhambra

Recuerdos de la Alhambra

Japan SOCL 1101
Released early 1970s

Japanese release.

Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Albeniz: Tango Spanish Music
De Falla: The Three Cornered Hat Spanish Music
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Trad. Catalan: El testamen de Amelia CBS Records Presents John Williams
Sor: Variations on a Theme by Mozart Virtuoso Variations for Guitar

More Spanish Music and Other Favourites

More Spanish Music and Other Favourites

CBS 72950
Released 1972
The only indication of a publication date is a list of "currently available records".

The title of this compilation is a reference to John Williams Plays Spanish Music, released in 1970.

Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
CBS Records Presents John Williams
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Torroba: Aires de la Mancha More Virtuoso Music
Villa Lobos: Prelude No. 4 More Virtuoso Music
Albeniz: Sevilla CBS Records Presents John Williams
Villa Lobos: Prelude No. 2 More Virtuoso Music
Sor: Variations on a Theme by Mozart Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
de Falla: Homenaje Virtuoso Music For Guitar
Mudarra: Fantasia More Virtuoso Music
Turina: Fandanguillo CBS Records Presents John Williams

Greatest Hits/The Guitar

Greatest Hits/The Guitar

Columbia M 31407
Released 1972

US-only release.

Dowland: Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Bach: Gavotte (Lute Suite No. 4) CBS Records Presents John Williams
Vivaldi: Largo (Concerto in D Major) Vivaldi and Giuliani Concertos
Sor: Variations on a Theme by Mozart Virtuoso Variations for Guitar
Albeniz: Tango Spanish Music
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 Virtuoso Music For Guitar

Albeniz: Asturias Spanish Music
Rodrigo: Adagio (Concierto de Aranjuez) Two Guitar Concertos 1
Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra CBS Records Presents John Williams

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