John Williams, a composer formerly credited as Johnny Williams, initially worked as a jazz pianist and studio musician before transitioning into composing for television and film. Throughout his career, he has often conducted his own compositions whenever possible.
With a career spanning over 65 years, Williams has garnered five Academy Awards: four for Best Original Score (Jaws, Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler's List) and one for Best Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score (Fiddler on the Roof). He has also received four Golden Globe Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, 23 Grammy Awards, and numerous gold and platinum records.
This article provides a comprehensive list of works performed by John Williams and the ensembles he has conducted throughout his career, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra, for which he served as the music director from 1980 to 1993. Additionally, there is a dedicated section highlighting his discography as a composer, featuring many compositions that he himself did not record.
For a complete list of his compositions, please refer to the List of compositions by John Williams.
Albums Studio albums YearAlbumLabelNotes and remarks1957The John Towner TouchKappJohn Towner Williams, piano; reissued in the 2006 compilation Jazz Beginnings, Fresh Sound Records.1957World on a StringBethlehemArranged by John Williams; piano by John Williams; reissued in 1984 as The John Williams Band Plays the Music of Harold Arlen, Discovery Records; reissued in 1986, Discovery records; reissued in the 2006 compilation Jazz Beginnings, Fresh Sound Records; reissued in 2015 as World on a String, Bethlehem Records.1957The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen SpectacularsCraftsmenArranged and Conducted by John Williams; piano by John Williams, Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra; reissued in 1958 as Bigs Hits from Columbia Pictures, Tops, 10 tracks; reissued in 1958 as Bigs Hits from Columbia Pictures, Golden Tone, 8 tracks, stereo; reissued in 1958 as Bigs Hits from Columbia Pictures, Mayfair, 10 tracks, stereo; reissued in 1996 as Movie Memories [Big Hits], Simitar/Pickwick, 10 tracks, stereo; Reissued for digital download in 2012, Simitar1961Rhythm in MotionColumbiaConducted by Johnny Williams; also released in 1961, Columbia, stereo; reissued in the 2006 compilation Checkmate/Rhythm in Motion, Film Score Monthly; Reissued for digital download in 2015, Jasnet Records1980Boston Pops: Pops in SpacePhilipsReissued in 1985, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1980Boston Pops: Pops on the MarchPhilipsReissued in 1985, Philips.1981Boston Pops: That's EntertainmentPhilipsReissued in 1985, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1981Boston Pops: We Wish You a Merry ChristmasPhilipsReissued in 1985, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1982Boston Pops: Pops Around the World – Digital OverturesPhilipsRereleased in 1982, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1982Boston Pops: Aisle Seat – Great Film MusicPhilipsRereleased in 1983, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1983Boston Pops: Out of this WorldPhilipsRereleased in 1983, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1984Boston Pops: On StagePhilipsRereleased in 1984, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1984Boston Pops: Peter and the Wolf/Nutcracker SuitePhilipsNarration by Dudley Moore (US); International editions : narration by Christoph Rueger (DE) (coupled with Le Carnaval des Animaux, dir. André Previn), narration by Terry Wogan (GB), narration by Leoni Jansen (NL), narration by Pierre Perret (F), narration by Stephan Remmler (D); Reissued for digital download in 2014 (Dudley Moore, Terry Wogan), Decca.1985Boston Pops: Swing, Swing, SwingPhilipsRereleased in 1985, Philips Digital Classics; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1985Boston Pops: America, The Dream Goes OnPhilipsThe lead vocals on the title selection (whose lyrics were written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman) are performed by James Ingram; Rereleased in 1985, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1986Boston Pops: Bernstein by BostonPhilipsRereleased in 1986, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1987Boston Pops: Pops in LovePhilipsRereleased in 1987, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1987Boston Pops: Holst – The PlanetsPhilipsRereleased in 1987, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1988Boston Pops: Digital JukeboxPhilipsRereleased in 1988, Philips; Reissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1989Boston Pops: Pops BritanniaPhilipsReissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1989Boston Pops: Salute to HollywoodPhilipsReissued for digital download in 2014, Universal1990Boston Pops: Pops a la RussePhilipsReissued for digital download in 2014, Decca.1990Boston Pops: Pops by George – The Music of GershwinPhilipsMisha Dichter, piano; Rereleased in 1990 "Pops by Gershwin", Philips. 1990Boston Pops: Music of the NightSony ClassicalReissued for digital download in 2017, Sony Classical.1990John Williams Conducts John Williams – The Star Wars TrilogySony ClassicalNew recordings, recorded digitally at Skywalker Ranch (California) with the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra; Composed and Conducted by John Williams; Reissued for digital download in 2017, Sony Classical.1991Boston Pops: The Spielberg/Williams CollaborationSony ClassicalComposed and Conducted by John Williams; Theme from Sugarland Express: Toots Thielemans, Harmonica; Reissued in 2009 X2: The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration / The Hollywood Sound, Sony Music Distribution; Reissued for digital download in 2017, Sony Classical.1991Boston Pops: I Love a ParadeSony Classical1992Boston Pops: The Green AlbumSony Classical1992Boston Pops: Joy to the WorldSony ClassicalReissued for digital download in 2017, Sony Classical.1993Boston Pops: Night and Day – Celebrate SinatraSony Classical1993Boston Pops: UnforgettableSony Classical1994Boston Pops: Music for Stage and ScreenSony ClassicalThe Reivers: narration by Burgess Meredith.1994Boston Pops: It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing!Sony ClassicalWith special guest Nancy Wilson1995Boston Pops: Williams on Williams – Classic Spielberg ScoresSony ClassicalComposed and conducted by John Williams.1996Boston Pops: Summon the HeroesSony ClassicalAlso reissued as The Sound Of Glory in Europe, Sony Classical.; Reissued for digital download in 2010, Sony Classical.1997The Five Sacred TreesSony ClassicalLondon Symphony Orchestra with Judith LeClair.1997The Hollywood SoundSony ClassicalLondon Symphony Orchestra with Grover Washington, Jr.; reissued in 2009 X2: The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration / The Hollywood Sound, Sony Music Distribution; Reissued for digital download in 2015, Sony Classical.2001TreesongDeutsche GrammophonBoston Symphony Orchestra with Gil Shaham; Reissued for digital download in 2005, Deutsche Grammophon2002American Journey: Winter Olympics 2002Sony ClassicalInternational pressings exist under the title Call of the Champions; also issued as a promo CD containing radio edits and interviews with John Williams (2002).2017The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration Part IIISony ClassicalDigital release; composed and conducted by John Williams; Reissued for digital download in 2017, Sony Classical.
Soundtrack albums / Motion Picture Scores composed and conducted by John Williams