Ever hear the women singing on SWANH: Princess Leia?

[InTheCity 169]

As far as I know there is no choir in ANH besides this.

I definitely hear some women singing - sounds like a very small group perhaps 3 in the build up to the big B major Chord.

Anyone have info on this?

[Jilal 681]

I'll have a listen.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

I'm sorry to say that there is no choir on "ANH". If there was, it would (probably) have been credited on the '77 release. A women's chior first appeared on "City In The Clouds".

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

That was a synth choir, supposedly...

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

No way that is a synth choir! At that time, the only "synth" that could emulate the human voice was the mellotron, and after 35 years of listeng to prog rock, I can easily tell a mellotron from real voices. That's a choir.

[steb74 53]

Yes, the female voices in TESB are real, certainly not synth!

Regarding the OP, I think it's just a musical illusion due to Williams' high string writing in the concert version of Leia's theme, if that's what was being referred to.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

Why the voices were not credited on the orginal trilogy is, of course, another matter...

[InTheCity 169]

It's a real choir - 100%. And by choir I mean perhaps two to three women. U

Just strange for some reason

[MrJosh 1,205]

Is it the build-up to the chord that hits at 3:41? I think that's what you're talking about, and I think I hear what you are referring to, but I think it's a combination of woodwinds that I hear in there, that has this vocal quality. I would figure that if Williams wanted to use a choir on this piece, he'd have actually made them audible at that moment...that moment could be a grand choir moment! But I don't see why he would use a few woman's voices in there for that moment.

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

wow, it does sound like it, but I am sure its not.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

As far as I know there is no choir in ANH besides this.

I definitely hear some women singing - sounds like a very small group perhaps 3 in the build up to the big B major Chord.

Anyone have info on this?

Just call it Star Wars, that is the films title. writing it as you did in the title of this thread is sick.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Some one over at FSM is also convinced that JW uses a synth for a few seconds in ANH's Land Of The Sandpeople

[Wojo 2,458]

Just call it Star Wars, that is the films title. writing it as you did in the title of this thread is sick.

I think it's sick that everyone leaves out the mention that it's from the Journal of the Whills, but that's just me.

Some one over at FSM is also convinced that JW uses a synth for a few seconds in ANH's Land Of The Sandpeople

He's not the same putz that throws his CDs away instead of selling them to used CD shops, is he?

[hornist 1,261]

Do you mean in built up somewhere 3:31 ,very short passage?

[InTheCity 169]

Yes it's like 8 bars but very noticeable. It's not woodwinds.

Joey sorry I will try to consult u before each post now on

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Yes it's like 8 bars but very noticeable. It's not woodwinds.

Joey sorry I will try to consult u before each post now on

just call it Star Wars, that is the name.

I'm pretty sure that Nick Winters the Lounge Lizard said

Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars, Give me those Star Wars, Don't let them end.

Nope nothing about A New Hope.

[InTheCity 169]

Petty earthling.

[Xander Harris 9,673]

This reminds me of a part in E.T. during the house invasion that at one point sort of sounds like there's a choir.

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

and in TOD, "Slave Children's Crusade" almost sounded like it.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Why are people hearing imaginary choirs?

[Score 775]

As far as I know there is no choir in ANH besides this.

I definitely hear some women singing - sounds like a very small group perhaps 3 in the build up to the big B major Chord.

Anyone have info on this?

The first times I had listened to Princess Leia's Theme, I had also noticed this strange sound feature, and also got the impression that there was a small ensemble of women singing. But I perfectly agree with steb74's interpretation:

Regarding the OP, I think it's just a musical illusion due to Williams' high string writing in the concert version of Leia's theme, if that's what was being referred to.

In fact, although I do not have the full score with me right now, I think I recall that this "vocal-quality" passage (E, F sharp, G and back) is played, among the others, by violas in their high register (the octave above that of the C3), while violins are busy with the main melody line. Strings can give this illusion sometimes. Personally, I hear an analogous effect, here and there, also in this beautiful piece by Morricone (where I am sure there is no choir - only strings, harpsichord, oboe and timpani at the beginning):

[russds 8]

and in TOD, "Slave Children's Crusade" almost sounded like it.

Where in slave children's crusade?

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

and in TOD, "Slave Children's Crusade" almost sounded like it.

Where in slave children's crusade?

1:30 to 1:34

[russds 8]

Just listened to it, sounds to me like Oboe (s) in the high register.

and in TOD, "Slave Children's Crusade" almost sounded like it.

Where in slave children's crusade?

1:30 to 1:34

Ah, yeah that's a nice section. I like the sound of unison strings octaves apart doing the theme like that.

[InTheCity 169]

Guys its not the strings nor winds - you need listen geographically. The choir is coming about 15 degrees to the right while the woodwinds are coming dead center. Now also listen to them closely - I can hear her singing a different sylable even.

[pixie_twinkle 60]

Dude, it's the violas. When the rest of the orchestra stops at 3:48 you can clearly hear it was the violas all the time. It's one of those amazing aural illusions. Yes, it sounds like a few women singing, but it's really the violas.

If you want to hear a really freaky aural illusion listen to Ligeti's Lux Aeterna. It's for unaccompanied choir, but in places you'll be sure you can hear all sorts of other instruments in there!

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

Guys its not - otherwise it wouldnt be what I want it to be, so shut up and agree with me.

[Sharkissimo 1,978]

Guys its not the strings nor winds - you need listen geographically. The choir is coming about 15 degrees to the right while the woodwinds are coming dead center.

You're aware of panning, right?

[Xander Harris 9,673]

Dude, it's the violas. When the rest of the orchestra stops at 3:48 you can clearly hear it was the violas all the time. It's one of those amazing aural illusions. Yes, it sounds like a few women singing, but it's really the violas.

If you want to hear a really freaky aural illusion listen to Ligeti's Lux Aeterna. It's for unaccompanied choir, but in places you'll be sure you can hear all sorts of other instruments in there!

Maybe the singing is in harmony with the violas, like the vocals and trumpets in the Adam West Batman theme.

[Augie 1]

Although being no stranger to conspiracy theories myself, I don't hear a choir

in the piece.

Or, wait! Listen to this:

That's what I call a helluva choir...

[Omen II 1,300]

Another John Williams piece where I often 'hear' a choir that isn't actually there is towards the end of the main titles of The Poseidon Adventure (at about the 1:15 mark).

[MissPadmé 17]

It is clearly the combination of the Oboe+English Horn and the Violas (just have a look at the printed score if you can) which let it sound like human voices - I can see why you would mistake it for female voices, but there simply isn't a choir in that piece.

[Goldsmithfan 6]

Are we talking about a point before or after the Blaster Beam counterpoint ends?

[Wojo 2,458]

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing a song of angry men?

It is the music of a people

Who will not be slaves again!

[KK 3,313]

i know I'm late in joining this party, but I agree that what you're hearing are the violas. It is one of the illusions of vocal quality. But you can hear the viola line clearly starting its ascent at around 3:25 to the part where it sounds "choir-like" in 3:31. It's a viola line (I think), not a choir.

Although being no stranger to conspiracy theories myself, I don't hear a choir

in the piece.

Or, wait! Listen to this:

That's what I call a helluva choir...

Now, that's awesome!

[GoodMusician 66]

I swear I have ALWAYS heard a low mens choir singing as Anakin and Padme are brought into the Arena in Episode II. Especially in the high shot over the geonosians and slowly moving in towards them in the arena...

at 1:28...the low cello line. like a mens choir singing the main melody as an "mmm" sound

PS: they need to SHOOT who ever's phone went off in that Leah video...wow...choir with that is more awesome than I realized!

It seems there are two rules of concerts: cough and sneeze only when it's aboslutely quiet, and leave your phone on RING, never vibrate!

[pixie_twinkle 60]

That wasn't a phone ringing. It was actually the flutes. It does sound like a phone ringing though.

[hornist 1,261]

At 1:01 in Leia, it's definitely not the flutes. It rings again in 1.05 but shorter, it was obviously shut down.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I'm sorry, but you so-called music experts can't seem to agree on shit!

[MrJosh 1,205]

I always for some reason hear a bunch of choir in Duel of the Fates and Hymn to the Fallen. Stupid Audio-illusions!!

[pixie_twinkle 60]

At 1:01 in Leia, it's definitely not the flutes. It rings again in 1.05 but shorter, it was obviously shut down.

You missed my wink. I was being facetious

[indy4 160]

Wow, has anybody ever recorded Leia's Theme with choir? That sounds great!

[rpvee 1,095]

Guys, check out the other performances from that concert with the choir. Imperial March sounds so badass, almost reminds me of Verdi's Dies Irae:

[media=]

[KK 3,313]

No eligible words Available....

[chuck 155]

[alicebrallice 134]

you a cat fan, chuckster?

feels like I see 'em everywhere!

[chuck 155]

you a cat fan, chuckster?

feels like I see 'em everywhere!

Oh, do I ever!!!

[KK 3,313]

I hate cats, I'm a dog person....but that pic is cool.

[chuck 155]

Cats are warm creatures... Once they acknowledge you, they will let you play with them...

[alicebrallice 134]

playing with a dog is 1000x more fun than playing with a cat.

love my doggies!

back to the topic... has that youtube user uploaded more? have to check...