Classical Californians: Christopher Willis

This week’s Classical Californian features Emmy Award-winning composer Christopher Willis. He shares childhood musical memories, his deep love for Domenico Scarlatti, and stories from scoring films with Armando Iannucci. He also reveals the rare joy of writing for Disney, including the catchy and whimsical “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” the theme song for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, co-written with his wife Elyse.

Barry Gray: Thunderbirds – End Titles, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 19 – "Es erhub sich ein Streit", Collegium Japan

Christopher Willis: The Death of Stalin – "Moscow, 1953", "Flowers", & "A Comedy of Terrors" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

William Byrd: Sing Joyfully, The Tallis Scholars

Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata K. 54 in A minor, Vladimir Horowitz (studio album)

Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio No. 45 – Finale "in the German Style", Trio Wanderer

Christopher Willis: The Personal History of David Copperfield – "David's Writings", Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Leigh Harline & Paul J. Smith: Pinocchio (1940) – "The Blue Fairy", Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Jerry Goldsmith: Planet of the Apes – "The Hunt", Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Eva Cassidy / Christopher Willis: I Can Only Be Me – "Waly Waly", London Symphony Orchestra