The music of Star Wars has turned into a character of the films much as the characters of the films have grown to be global icons. John Williams' contribution to the films (he composed for many six Star Wars films) is among the most widely-known and popular contributions to modern film music. When Williams attempt to compose the music for the first film, Star Wars (later re-titled, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) in 1977, he only had one Oscar to his name for the score to the 1975 summer blockbuster Jaws.
He utilized a variety of musical styles drawing from the golden age of Hollywood and the scores of Max Steiner as well as the late romantic amount of Richard Strauss. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, wanted the feel of the old movie serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. Williams is credited with reviving the symphonic scores because of his Star War compositions and of by using a technique called leitmotiv most often from the operas of Wagner and with Steiner-esque film scores.
The use of the leitmotiv anchors the characters of the Star Wars original trilogy, which I will discuss in detail. These themes signify the average person characters as well as plot elements, locations, moods and relationships. This use of motifs is the films are strong enough to latch the audience onto the components of the film while being strong enough to endure variation and development, which we will have in the introduction of the sequels from the original film.
Star Wars (1977)
Principle Motifs
Main Title - Found in all six films, this is the anthem of the film series. It is recognizable globally and is generally associated with the rebel forces, Luke Skywalker and elements involving heroism and adventure. This theme is heard above the opening crawl and can be used as basics for the end credits.
Rebel Fanfare - Used in all six films as well, this is a short motif used mostly in Episode IV: A New Desire to represent the Rebel Alliance. It can be used less in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and cut back but with less frequency in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. It uses brass elements to provide it the fanfare flavor.
Jedi Theme - This theme is also titled Binary Sunset in the film score from the scene in which Luke is watching the sunset on Tatooine and contemplating his future in Episode IV. This is the one motif in the trilogy that is consistently developed throughout all three films. The theme represents Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Knights and The Force. In later films, it is used to represent ideas of fate and destiny. It is an uplifting theme and can be heard throughout the trilogy. There are also brief cases of it in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Princess Leia's Theme (aka Love Theme) - This theme represents the romantic side of the trilogy. It really is most often found in Episode IV to represent Leia when she is alone (on the merchant ship in the beginning), vulnerable (when she is going to be tortured for information on the Death Star) or shown on the screen. In subsequent episodes, it is developed into a Love Theme between her and Han Solo. This theme also appears later in Episode III after she is born.
Imperial Motif - Used only in Episode IV, this motif represents the Empire and Darth Vader because of this film (although it makes a cameo when Grand Moff Tarkin, commander of the Death Star, sometimes appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith). The music is militaristic rather than as ominous as the Imperial March introduced in Episode V. The rhythmic and harmonic aspects are developed into the Imperial March within the Empire Strikes Back.
Death Star Motif - Introduced in Episode IV, it is just a four chord motif that plays when the Death Star is shown or when it's place is suggested. Additionally it is heard as a far more developed theme when the Star Destroyer hits the second Death Star in Episode VI.
Jawa Theme/Droid Theme - A playful theme found in Episode IV when the Jawas are introduced and later progressed into a motif to represent the droids in Episodes V and VI when R2D2 and C3PO are together.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Principle Motifs
Imperial March (aka Darth Vader's Theme) - This theme represents the Galactic Empire and, more specifically Darth Vader, you start with Episode V and carrying on through the rest of the films. This theme has achieved an iconic status as representing evil and is used outside of the films to introduce evil (i. e. when Mr. Burns turns up within the Simpsons). Williams retrogrades the theme for the prequel trilogy, embedding it into Anakin's theme and his unpredictable manner to the dark side as well as the rise of the Republic into the Empire. Williams also uses it effectively when Vader dies in Episode VI.
Love Theme - Developed from Leia's Theme in Episode IV, it is heard in Episode V and VI in scenes of romance and when the two characters are sacrificing, like the scene in which Han is frozen and the ultimate moments of Empire when Lando Calrissian is leaving to rescue Han from Jabba The Hut.
Yoda's Theme - This theme is introduced in Episode V and is used throughout the initial trilogy and the prequel trilogy. It's mostly associated with Yoda's teachings and abilities but can be heard when Luke is utilizing what Yoda has taught him. It can be used sparingly in the prequels and mostly for key occasions with Yoda. As the side, Williams uses this theme in E. T. : The Extra-Terrestrial whenever a little kid is seen in a Yoda costume.
Lando's Theme (Cloud City Theme) - A march that is heard through the Bespin scenes in Episode V. It is employed throughout the Cloud City scenes and a variation is utilized when Luke arrives to save lots of Leia and Han.
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Principle Motifs
Jabba's Theme - This is heard in the opening of Episode VI when the scene occurs in Jabba's Palace. It is mostly tuba which is rolling and bulbous. It had been added in the special edition version of Episode IV when a young (and far leaner?!) Jabba confront Han Solo in the hanger of the Millennium Falcon. Gleam disguised version of it in Episode I when Jabba officiates the pod race.
Emperor's Theme - An ominous theme first used in Episode VI, and developed more in the prequel trilogies. It represents the Emperor whenever he's on screen. Williams also uses it conspicuously in the victory celebration by the end of Phantom Menace.
Ewok's Theme - Titled Parade of the Ewoks in the score for Episode VI, it is just a light-hearted theme played during scenes in the Ewok village, through the Endor battle and in the end credits.
Luke and Leia's Theme - This theme is heard only twice and only in Episode VI. It links Luke and Leia as brother and sister. It is more mature than the Love Theme and Leia's Theme from the previous films.
Victory Celebration - This theme is utilized for the victory of the Alliance.
In addition to these major motifs, there are minor themes used throughout the series that are used to represent some of the other characters and scenes in the original trilogy. These motifs are generally heard once rather than much development took place for even more use.
Minor Motifs
- Arrival on Tatooine - This is used in Episode IV and then again in Episode I.
- Tusken Raiders Theme - Used when the Tusken Raiders are first introduced in Episode IV and when they attack Luke. Later used when Anakin destroys their camp in Episode II.
- Throne Room March - Used in the original trilogy when Vader exists and later when the Emperor is shown in Episode VI.
The final elements of music John Williams wrote for the initial trilogy were the pieces which were performed as part of 'live' sequences. Before he became a film composer, John Williams was a jazz pianist going by the name of Johnny Williams. The 'live' elements reflect his earlier musical career with the use of jazz, classical and world music elements. These were: Both songs played in the Cantina on Tatooine entitled, Cantina Band and Cantina Band #2. They were in a swing style and the first tune became popular on the air after the initial film release in 1977, while #2 could only be heard when Obi-Wan is speaking with Han Solo for the very first time. Jabba's Baroque Recital is heard when R2D2 and C3PO arrive to provide Jabba the message from Luke Skywalker in Episode VI. Jedi Rocks is also from Episode VI heard in Jabba's Palace just before Leia (disguised as a bounty hunter) brings Chewbacca in for a ransom. This song replaced Lapti Nek, when the special editions were released and it was not included on the re-release of the soundtrack. [1] Max Rebo Band Jams is heard twice in the film, once after Chewbacca is delivered to the jail cell and on the sail barge. This song doesn't appear on the soundtrack as recordings of computer have apparently been lost forever. The music of the Ewoks is heard throughout Episode VI when Luke and company are in the village and following the battle of Endor. They may be titled Ewok Feast, Part of the Tribe, and Ewok Celebration.
Sources
8notes. com (2008) Williams, John [Online]. Available from: http://www. 8notes. com/biographies/john_williams. asp [Accessed: 11 October 2009]
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. 1997. Producer, Gary Kurtz; director: George Lucas. Lucasfilms, Ltd. [DVD Recording]
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. 1997. Producer, Gary Kurtz; director: Irving Kershner. Lucasfilms, Ltd. [DVD Recording]
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. 1997. Producer, Howard Kazanjian; director: Richard Marquand. Lucasfilms, Ltd. [DVD Recording]
Empire of Dreams: THE STORYLINE of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy. 2004. Producer, Edith Becker; directors: Edith Becker and Kevin Burns. Prometheus Entertainment. [DVD Recording]
Williams, John. (2000). Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Ultimate Edition). [CD] USA. Sony Classical.
Williams, John. (2002). Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Original FILM Soundtrack [CD] USA. Sony Classical.
Williams, John. (2005). Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Original FILM Soundtrack [CD] USA. Sony Classical.
Williams, John. (1997). Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Special Edition). [CD] USA. RCA Victor.
Williams, John. (1997). Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition). [CD] USA. RCA Victor.
Williams, John. (1997). Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Special Edition). [CD] USA. RCA Victor.
