Star Wars Main Title performed by Berliner Philharmoniker

[Lewya 360]

Saw Conrad Pope write this on Facebook -

Some people seem to think this is the best performance of the theme (not just random people in this comment section here https://www.facebook.com/BerlinPhil/posts/10153422263839691),what do you think about this take? Do you agree with Pope?

I am with the Pope and I do not get the hype, maybe i'm missing something? Still nice to hear them playing this though.

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

I don't know. It's ok. A little unevenly paced, he's right. Some attacks/phrasings are weak.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Its a fine rendition, but doesn't particularly stand out in any way when compared to the countless other recordings by countless other orchestras.

[Jilal 569]

I wouldn't even call it a great performance from a technical point of view, but that has more to do with Rattle's conducting than the musicianship of the orchestra. As Grey noted, it's unevenly paced, with parts of it being performed either too fast or too slow, terribly weakening the otherwise climactic underscoring following the Main Titles, for example. Aside from that, there's very little contrast between the more lyrical B-part and the rest of the Titles, something I personally would be rather fitting for a more concert-like approach of the cue. Overall, I think the performance feels a little too formal, as well.

Nonetheless, I think both Rattle and the BPO got the balance between the several sections quite right. It's refreshing to be able to distinguish the woodwinds in a performance of the Main Titles - something Tomlinson's recording does not lend itself well to, which probably has to do with the acoustics of Anvil Studios and Tomlinson's tendency to provide a live mix whilst recording.

As a side note, I think it's a pity they thought it necessary to sneak a lightsaber into their performance. I'd rather have film music receive a more serious concert hall treatment.

[Marian Schedenig 8,191]

I've only listened to this when it was broadcast live on TV. I think the pacing is far superior to Mehta's (whose interpretation is mostly very fine but has those awkward moments when he speeds up bridging sections to a circus pace). It was somewhat rigid, but not quite as rigid as a standard "non-concert, film recording like" performance.

In general, I thought it was a fine concert. Great selection of cues, and decent interpretations and performances. Bear in mind that this is an orchestra that doesn't usually play this kind of music, probably had only a few rehearsals, and played in an open air concert which means you get an audience that is, on average, not too critical (or knowledgeable) about this sort of music, with sub par acoustics and a generally high level of unfamiliar and stressful working conditions. And for that, I thought they'd performed rather well. Rattle is no film music expert, but seemed to have a genuine enthusiasm for the topic in an interview, and as far as I could tell he did bring a certain musicianship to the programme, even if his Star Wars wasn't as inherently musical as Gerhardt's, and Williams' slow take on Parade of the Charioteers is still my favourite interpretation on the piece.

[KK 3,307]

I like it, despite the uneven pacing and section entrances in the second half.

[Jilal 569]

In general, I thought it was a fine concert. Great selection of cues, and decent interpretations and performances. Bear in mind that this is an orchestra that doesn't usually play this kind of music, probably had only a few rehearsals, and played in an open air concert which means you get an audience that is, on average, not too critical (or knowledgeable) about this sort of music, with sub par acoustics and a generally high level of unfamiliar and stressful working conditions. And for that, I thought they'd performed rather well. Rattle is no film music expert, but seemed to have a genuine enthusiasm for the topic in an interview, and as far as I could tell he did bring a certain musicianship to the programme, even if his Star Wars wasn't as inherently musical as Gerhardt's, and Williams' slow take on Parade of the Charioteers is still my favourite interpretation on the piece.

Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. Film music deserves a more devoted, serious concert hall approach, treating it not as an occasional deviation from the classical repertoire for more entertainment-like purposes, but as a genuine counterpart to classical music.

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

As a side note, I think it's a pity they thought it necessary to sneak a lightsaber into their performance. I'd rather have film music receive a more serious concert hall treatment.

Yes. Utter cheapening buffoonery that needs to stop.

[KK 3,307]

It's a shame about that (the costumes and theatrical idiocy that's attached to this franchise's music), and I'm afraid Star Wars will always be tied to that. But I have faith that in the years to come, Williams' other film works will have a more respectful place in the concert hall.

[Ricard 2,245]

I hated it.

[Marian Schedenig 8,191]

Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. Film music deserves a more devoted, serious concert hall approach, treating it not as an occasional deviation from the classical repertoire for more entertainment-like purposes, but as a genuine counterpart to classical music.

Of course. But for now I'm just happy that it's beginning to be performed at all by major orchestras. And compared to other events, this maintained the music's integrity and didn't have overly much multimedia/costume goofery.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Doesn't hold a lightsaber to the film versions, Gerhardt, Zubin Mehta, Vurjan Kojian, Kunzel, Boston Pops or Skywalker Symphony versions. So basically, it's inconsequential.

[King Mark 3,630]

I 'm just happy it's being performed by serious orchestras

[Josh500 1,615]

Well every orchestra and every conductor interprets a piece differently. That's how they make it their own, distinguish themselves.

I think this is ok, nothing special, though.

[nightscape94 965]

It was sort of fun just seeing Rattle mouthing little rhythmic "bum ba da dum dums" as he conducted a John Williams piece with the Berliners.

Also fun seeing the beautiful Sarah Willis was rockin' the Leia hairdo.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I hated it.

Why?

[Bespin 8,480]

Pope's totally right. All that Rattles touch anyway sounds unhearted.

[Ricard 2,245]

I hated it.

Why?

It's rigid, mechanical, and soulless.

Here's one my favorite recent renditions of the theme, maybe not the best performance from a technical standpoint, but it has everything the Berlin Philharmonic version lacks:

http://diegonavarroreyes.com/web2/index.php/en/component/allvideoshare/video/fimucite-4-star-wars-main-title

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Not bad!

[nightscape94 965]

The energy gets away from them a little bit.

[gkgyver 1,645]

I hated it.

Why?

It's rigid, mechanical, and soulless.

Here's one my favorite recent renditions of the theme, maybe not the best performance from a technical standpoint, but it has everything the Berlin Philharmonic version lacks:

http://diegonavarroreyes.com/web2/index.php/en/component/allvideoshare/video/fimucite-4-star-wars-main-title

That sounds sloppy.

The Berliner performance is better in every way.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You must like soulless and mechanical then....

[nightscape94 965]

Neither performance is good. There.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

For me it's really the performance by Charles Gerhardt and the NPO for the Star WarsCE3K album that is THE Star Wars theme.

The rest is just an alternative.

[Quintus 5,399]

I've just listened to this and while rather genric as performances go there's nothing particularly wrong with it either. Pope was being really quite patronising in his comments if you ask me.