To get you in the mood for tonight’s broadcast of John Williams’ Violin Concerto No. 2, on PBS’ “Great Performances,” here’s a throwback to Williams conducting selections from “Star Wars,” on “Previn and the Pittsburgh” (aired on March 26, 1978) – back when “Star Wars” was still fresh, and back when PBS was still PBS.

Interesting to find that Williams had already done considerable tinkering in his concert arrangement of the “Throne Room and End Title” music. It was perfect in the movie, John! A lot of vim in the performance, though. The diptych opens with “Princess Leia’s Theme.”

Anne-Sophie Mutter – the former Mrs. Previn – will be the soloist on tonight’s broadcast of the Violin Concerto No. 2, again with Williams conducting. The concert was filmed at Tanglewood in July. The program will also feature Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, performing music by Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, and Jesse Montgomery.

The show airs here at 9:00 PM EST. Consult your local listings. You’ll find an interview and promos here:

Anne-Sophie Mutter Performs John Williams’ Violin Concerto

*** BONUS! ***

Previn interviews Williams in 1988 (pictured), and Williams is in an unusually candid mood. The two were old friends, of course, who had already known one another for 30 years. I’d never actually never seen it before, and it’s terrific. Maybe Williams’ best interview.