Viktor’s Tale by John Williams - A Clarinet Tribute in The Terminal

VIDEO

The movie The Terminal, directed by Steven Spielberg in 2004, tells the story of Viktor Navorski, a citizen of Krakozhia —a fictional Eastern European country— who becomes stranded at New York’s JFK airport. To convey the tenderness and bewilderment of the character, composer John Williams created one of his most endearing melodies: Viktor’s Tale, written for clarinet solo and symphony orchestra.

View of the New York airport, evoking the setting of the film “The Terminal”.

In this piece, the clarinet represents Viktor’s voice: a naive, kind, and deeply human man. The main melody, in 4/4 time, combines melodic simplicity with profound expressiveness. The clarinet’s timbre - sometimes nostalgic, sometimes playful-perfectly reflects the mixture of sadness, humor, and hope that the protagonist experiences throughout the film.

Williams’s writing alternates lyrical moments with light dance-like passages and Balkan-inspired rhythms, reflecting the imaginary roots of Krakozhia. The original orchestration includes distinctive details, such as the use of accordion, adding color and texture to the theme’s atmosphere.

Viktor’s Tale Clarinet Solo - A Live Performance in Buenos Aires

On July 12, 2024, I had the pleasure of performing Viktor’s Tale as a soloist with the Buenos Aires City Symphonic Band, the ensemble where I have worked for many years. The concert took place in the Salón de Actos of the Facultad de Derecho of the Universidad de Buenos Aires, a beautiful space that was completely filled with an audience. The concert was conducted by Maestro Carlos David Jaimes.

The version we performed was the symphonic band transcription by Paul Lavender, very close in spirit to the original orchestral version. In our concert, we couldn’t include the accordion or harp, but the arrangement preserves the charm of Williams’s music. Back to the top to watch the video

Emily Bernstein’s Clarinet

In the original soundtrack, the solo was performed by clarinetist Emily Bernstein, a renowned Hollywood session musician. Sadly, she passed away the following year, in 2005, due to illness.

Portrait of composer John Williams, author of the soundtrack for “The Terminal”

Interestingly, Steven Spielberg was also a clarinetist in his youth, which may explain his special sensitivity toward the instrument and his close collaboration with John Williams on this work.

Conclusion

Viktor’s Tale is one of those pieces that, with apparent simplicity, can move the listener. Its combination of singing melody, warm timbre, and narrative spirit make it a gem of contemporary clarinet repertoire.

Note: Feel free to rate this article below and leave a comment if you’d like!