Watch: Boston Pops Release 'Summon the Heroes' – a Virtual Tribute to Front-line Workers

This week the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, released a music video, "Summon the Heroes" – featuring the work originally composed by John Williams for the 1996 Olympic Games – as a tribute to today's first responders who are providing critical and needed services during the Covid-19 epidemic. John Williams joined the virtual tribute with a musical (piano) and spoken introduction taped from his home studio in Los Angeles.

"I am so pleased that the musicians of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops wanted to make a video recording of 'Summon the Heroes' in honor of the front-line workers whose dedication to their work and tireless efforts are playing an essential role in keeping our society functioning during this crisis," said Williams, Conductor Laureate of the Boston Pops. "Like our wonderful athletes, they are performing Olympic feats of their own, tending to our health and well-being, and by doing so lifting all our spirits through the care and compassion they show the world each and every day."

John Williams wrote "Summon the Heroes" for the 1996 Olympic Games, marking the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games. Dedicated to the Boston Pops principal trumpet at the time, Tim Morrison, the work was also recorded by the Boston Pops as part of a CD of the same name.

The Boston Pops musicians themselves conceived of the idea of a "virtual orchestra" rendition of Summon the Heroes as the perfect piece of music to honor Covid-19 front-line and essential workers. The musicians recorded their individual parts in their basement, kitchen, living room, or bedroom – some sporting Red Sox caps!

BSO Recording Engineer Nick Squire and Video Engineer Brandon Cardley, working from their homes, edited the audio and video from 86 individually submitted video files (some musicians submitted two videos to cover all the parts) to create the musicians' gift to all who are giving so much of themselves during this time.

"The hearts and souls of every BSO and Pops musician went into creating our Summon the Heroes video for all those doing the critical work of keeping all of us as safe and healthy as possible during this unprecedented health crisis," said Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops. "We dedicate our 'Summon the Heroes' to each and every one of them – in gratitude for the extraordinary gifts of compassion and caring they give unfailingly to communities throughout Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the nation."

The moving virtual performance can be viewed here.