Cerebral Cortex

I had no idea I'd actually posted in this thread, but I'll chalk it up to ghostly activity on behalf of my (still somewhat intimidating) new smart phone...
Anyway; looking at the quoted information, I'll rush to add that for a very short while, again courtesy of my far too sophisticated
phone but its startlingly less than stellar speakers, I kept interpreting the opening cluster as E5-F5-Ab5-B5 (vn2 div á 4) and C6-E6-F6-G6 (vn1 div á 4), at least for a couple of listens...
Now, what's absolutely brilliant,is the music that follows!
As has already been pointed out, it's a very clever transformation of the opening accents of "Sail Barge Assault", but extending the tension for another few measures, as well as building an entirely new, albeit star wars-ian shadowy scherzo, the harmonic gist of which would be: D (with boiling D-C#-Eb cluster), C# (frenetic activity centered around D and E), C (vs.Eb minor, as well as melodic activity on G, C#, D# and E), Bb (w/E minor, as well as continued melodic activity on G, C#, D# and E), and Fmin/A, before settling on a unison F# (and subsequently launching the ominous low E in horns (?)).
At any rate, I'm thrilled Williams invested the time and energy to revisit as well as revitalize this old cue, and I find his fertile re-imagining inspiring!
Yes!

What they should do is this: first, ask people to write questions beforehand. Then collect them, list them, and ask people to vote for the ones they find the most interesting and to which they'd like an answer to. Then have the celebrity come in and answer to these questions.

I think we can all agree that my question - kindly posted by Cerebral Cortex (and thank Christ he did) - was the best. Glad to put that troubling rumour to bed.

That's... not real.

Hearing new music from Williams alongside new footage really makes me so happy they got him back for at least one more go at it. This is going to be great.

It's up! http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lucasfilm/starwarstheforceawakens/
I won't spoil the music, but it's not what the rumors say.

And you people... you're all super nerds. On some kind of quote trek.

*a million explosion sounds, barely audible John Williams*
"I just feel like the music gets lost, Ben..."
"What do you mean?"
*turns up sound effects*

Weird to see Kitty Sanchez in this.

Or the brilliance of John Williams.

I think I like this version better.

When this teaser gets to 88 seconds, you're gonna hear some serious shit.

Christoph Waltz Reportedly Playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Bond 24
I dig it!

Here's a small note about the music according to someone who has supposedly seen the teaser already. This person says it is about 90 seconds.

i cant wait for thank sgiving day...

Access complete score. Access main security. Access main recording sessions.

Hatching Baby Raptor

SCORE: - THEME - The Force Theme
 

Credit for the Force Theme Archive i used as the basis for this thread goes to the admin emeritus General Kenobi from the TheForce.net board. Thanks for your work!
 
Of all the themes and melodies John Williams ever composed the Force Theme is among the very best and famous ones. What makes it truly unique is the fact that it single-handedly is the most developed Williams theme ever.
No other one has gone through so many permutations, has evoked so many different feelings and is still as listenable as at the first day. You strangely don’t get tired of this theme and this is proven by its extensive use throughout the whole Star Wars saga.
The theme appears in all six Star Wars films and pretty much all the Star Wars games. It is also known as Ben Kenobi’s theme and is generally regarded as theme for the Jedi and the Force itself.
In 1977 John Williams himself described the Force Theme (according to the liner notes of the LP release) as follows:
l think of Ben Kenobi's theme as reflecting both him and, also, the Jedi Knights and the Old Republic that he remembers. It also serves to represent the Force, the spiritual-philosophical belief of the Jedi Knights, and the Old Republic. Like the Princess' Theme, it has a fairy tale aspect rather than a futuristic aspect. There is a lot of English horn in Ben's Theme which is often heard under dialogue. At other times, the melody becomes the heroic march of the Jedi Knights.
 
Some interesting facts:
There is no real developed concert suite of this theme. This is surprising considering its high importance in the Star Wars saga. Nevertheless the theme appears (without its B parts) in some of the other suites. The question remains… Why has John Williams not written a proper concert suite for his most developed theme ever?
 
For three scenes of high emotional impact John Williams expanded the Force Theme with differing B-parts.
("For my ally is the Force." [Yoda And The Force, 0:58, 64sec]; "I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine." [The Rebel Fleet, 0:03, 51sec];
Luke lights Vader's funeral pyre [Light Of The Force, 2:13, 52sec])
 
I counted 96 appearances in all six Star Wars scores consisting of 1606sec or 26min46sec. (Of course if i may have missed an appearance or two so feel free to contact me...)
In addition there are 15 original theme appearances in the Star Wars Games and Multimedia Projects consisting of 218sec or 3min36sec.
 
 
 
(I used a Force theme archive file from a fellow Star Wars fan as a starting point. The track titles in this list refer to the 1997 SE RCA releases for the Original Trilogy, to the Ultimate Edition for Episode 1 and the OST albums for Episode 2 and 3. Unreleased theme statements remain without corresponding track titles till an official release.
The tracks are listed chronologically in appearance with Filmquote or Description [Track Title, Start time of the theme statement, Duration] - Short musical attributes like Mystical, Forceful,..)
 
A New Hope (SE): 22 Appearances / 365sec / 6min5sec
Leia programs R2 [imperial Attack, 2:21, 9sec] – Mystical, Low Key
Binary Sunset [binary Sunset, 2:21, 31sec] – Epic, Poignant, Full Orchestra
He's nowhere in sight. [binary Sunset, 3:27, 37sec] – Mystical, Poignant
Come here my little friend. [Attack Of The Sand People, 2:47, 16sec] – Dark
Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time. [Tales Of A Jedi Knight, 0:09, 35sec] – Ethereal, Mystical
The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. [Learn About The Force, 2:11, 16sec] – Ethereal
Learn about the Force, Luke. [Learn About The Force, 3:53, 17sec] – Noble, Low Key
Wait, Luke, it's too dangerous! [burning Homestead, 0:58, 7sec] – Sad, Epic, Fast and Forceful, Dramatic
Luke finds Owen's and Beru's bodies [burning Homestead, 1:30, 12sec] – Sad, Epic, Dramatic, Full Orchestra
I want to come with you to Alderaan. [Mos Eisley Spaceport, 0:31, 12sec] – Sad, Thoughtful,
Move along, move along. [Mos Eisley Spaceport, 1:53, 5sec] – Low Key
Chewie, get us outta here! [The Millennium Falcon, 1:54, 9sec] – Forceful, Fast
Looks like an Imperial cruiser. [imperial Cruiser Pursuit, 2:16, 16sec] – Supportive, In Counterpoint to Action
This is ridiculous. [The Death Star/The Stormtroopers, 1:46, 14sec] – Sad, Slow
Obi-Wan's death [ben Kenobi's Death, 0:00, 6sec] – Sad, Low Key
I can't believe he's gone. [TIE Fighter Attack, 1:01, 30sec ] – Sad, Low Key
I'm gonna cut across the axis and try and draw their fire. [The Battle Of Yavin: X-wings Draw Fire, 1:11, 7sec] – Militaristic, Epic, Short
This is Red Five, I'm going in. [The Battle Of Yavin: X-wings Draw Fire, 1:31, 11sec] - Militaristic, Epic
Watch your back Luke, watch your back. [The Battle Of Yavin: X-wings Draw Fire, 3:40, 15sec] – Militaristic, Epic, In Counterpoint to Action
I can't shake him. [The Battle Of Yavin: X-wings Draw Fire, 4:01, 15sec] - Militaristic, Epic, In Counterpoint to Action
Use the Force, Luke. [The Battle Of Yavin: Use The Force, 6:49, 13sec] – Ethereal, Epic, Triumphant
Medal Ceremony [The Throne Room, 0:17, 32sec] – Triumphant, Epic, Forceful, Militaristic, Full Orchestra
 
 
The Empire Strikes Back (SE): 15 Appearances / 325sec / 5min25sec
Luke gets his lightsaber [The Wampa's Lair, 1:07, 12sec] - Mystical, Dark
You will go to the Dagobah system. [Vision of Obi-Wan, 4:52, 20sec] - Ethereal, Dark
Begin retreat. Fall Back. [The Battle Of Hoth: Beneath The AT-AT, 10:21, 19sec] - Epic, Dramatic, Full Orchestra
Something familiar about this place [Arrival On Dagobah, 4:35, 10sec] - Mystical, Low Key
Much anger in him. Like his father. [Jedi Master Revealed, 0:09, 18sec] – Noble
He is too old. Yes, too old to begin the training. [Jedi Master Revealed, 1:27, 15sec] - Noble
I'm not afraid. [Jedi Master Revealed, 1:49, 8sec] - Low Key
*not used in film [The Training Of A Jedi Knight, 1:06, 14sec] – Mystical, Noble
For my ally is the Force. [Yoda And The Force, 0:58, 64sec] – Ethereal, Noble, Poignant, B - Part
Through the Force, things you will see... [City In The Clouds, 2:23, 11sec] – Mystical
Even Yoda cannot see their fate. [Lando's Palace, 1:42, 13sec] – Ethereal
And I'll return. I promise. [Lando's Palace, 3:17, 31sec] – Poignant, Sad, Full Orchestra
*not used in film [Departure Of Boba Fett, 10:58, 12sec] – Dramatic, Full Orchestra, Forceful, Epic
Leia, hear me... Leia. [Rescue From Cloud City, 3:21, 27sec] – Ethereal, Epic, Dramatic, Full Orchestra
I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine. [The Rebel Fleet, 0:03, 51sec] – Playful, Poignant, Epic, Full Orchestra, B - Part
 
 
Return Of The Jedi (SE): 19 Appearances / 331sec / 5min31sec
The rancor picks up Luke [The Den Of The Rancor, 5:18, 5sec] – Dramatic, Militaristic
Strong am I with the Force, but not that strong. [The Death Of Yoda, 2:52, 16sec] – Sad, Noble
Your father he is." [The Death Of Yoda, 4:33, 25sec] – Sad, Dark
Luke, the Force runs strong in your family. [The Death Of Yoda, 6:15, 15sec] - Mystical
I can't do it R2 [The Death of Yoda 7:33, 13sec] - Sad, Mystical
*not used in film [Obi-Wan's Revelation, 8:57, 21sec] – Low Key
*not used in film [Obi-Wan's Revelation, 9:45, 14sec] – Low Key, Mystical
Vader's on that ship. [shuttle Tydirium Approaches Endor, 2:03, 16sec] – Dark
I'm endangering the mission. [shuttle Tydirium Approaches Endor, 2:41, 18sec] – Dark, Mystical
Luke levitates C3PO [The Levitation, 0:19, 20sec] – Mystical, Ethereal
3PO tells of Obi-Wan/Vader duel [Threepio's Bedtime Story, 1:56, 4sec] – Low Key
Leia, do you remember your mother--your real mother? [brother And Sister, 0:29, 17sec] – Low Key, Poignant, Sad
You're wrong, Leia. You have that power too. [brother And Sister, 4:50, 10sec] – Low Key
Obi-Wan has taught you well. [battle Of Endor II: The Duel Begins, 1:20, 7sec] – Noble, Low Key
There is no conflict. [battle Of Endor II: The Duel Begins, 2:16, 7sec] – Noble, Low Key
I am a Jedi. [battle Of Endor II: The Dark Side Beckons, 6:30, 9sec] – Noble, Dark
Vader lifts the Emperor [battle Of Endor II: The Emperor's Death, 9:09, 10sec] – Dark, Epic, Full Orchestra, Dramatic
*not used in film [Light Of The Force, 1:19, 52sec] - Sad, Poignant, Full Orchestra, Epic, Forceful
Luke lights Vader's funeral pyre [Light Of The Force, 2:13, 52sec] – Sad, Poignant, Full Orchestra, B - Part
Due to extensive editing and non complete soundtrack releases of the Prequels this is just a preliminary list which is subject to change as soon as the complete scores are released.
Tracked statements are with one exception not included in this list.
 
 
The Phantom Menace (UE): 11 Appearances / 143sec / 2min23sec
Qui-Gon melts the blast doors [Fighting The Destroyer Droids, 1:02, 4sec] – Dramatic, Epic, Full Orchestra
The Force is unusually strong in him. [shmi And Qui-Gon Talk, 1:38, 27sec] – Poignant
Feel, don't think. [Qui-Gon's Prep Talk, 0:35, 13sec] – Low Key
The life of a Jedi [Anakin is Free, 1:14, 13sec] – Ethereal, Poignant
Don't look back. [Anakin Is Free, 4:48, 13sec] – Ethereal, Poignant, Epic, Full Orchestra
Introducing Obi Wan [Qui-Gon and Darth Maul meet, 1:37, 5sec] - Ethereal
Fear is the path to the dark side. [Anakin's Test, 1:16, 15sec] – Low Key, Mystical
May the Force be with you. [Qui-Gon's Mission, 1:35, 5sec] – Dark
Now this is pod-racing. [The Tide Turns, 0:57, 23sec] – Epic, Militaristic, Triumphant, Full Orchestra, Unique Counterline (Duel of the Fates)
Obi-Wan senses Qui-Gon's lightsaber [The Death Of Darth Maul, 1:51, 14sec] - Dark
What will happen to me now? [Funeral Of Qui-Gon, 0:26, 8sec] – Sad
 
 
Attack Of The Clones (OST): 7 Appearances / 110sec / 1min50sec
* not used in film; Palpatine's Plotting [unused, 30sec] - Dark, Mystical, Low Key
Anakin and Padme depart for Naboo [Departing Coruscant, 0:49, 12sec] – Noble
Dangerous and disturbing this puzzle is. [Yoda And The Younglings, 3:10, 9sec] – Sad, Mystical
Anakin, I won't be long. [Return To Tatooine, 3:10, 21sec] - Epic, Poignant, Full Orchestra
Anakin battles Geonosians on the conveyor belt [Confrontation With Count Dooku And Finale, 0:09, 12sec] – Dramatic
Anakin Force-throws droid parts at Geonosians [unreleased, 8sec] – Dramatic, Forceful
She would do her duty. [Love Pledge And The Arena, 7:40, 18sec] – Epic, Dramatic, Full Orchestra
 
 
Revenge Of The Sith (OST): 22 Appearances / 332sec / 5min32sec
Approaching the Coruscant Space Battle [star Wars, The Revenge Of The Sith, 1:38, 27sec] – Militaristic, Epic, Full Orchestra, Forceful
* not used in film [Grievous and the Droids, 3:13, 6sec] – Low Key
Anakin pilots the Invisible Hand through the atmosphere [tracked from The Tide Turns, 0:57, 23sec] – Epic, Militaristic, Triumphant, Full Orchestra, Unique Counterline (Duel of the Fates)
Mourn them, do not [Anakin's Dream, 3:31, 24sec] – Dark, Low Key
Good relations with the Wookiees, I have. [Palpatine's Teachings, 2:59, 14sec] - Dark
Obi-Wan leaves for Utapau [unreleased, 34sec] – Epic, Full Orchestra, Militaristic
Obi-Wan arrives at Utapau [unreleased, 9sec] – Playful, Full Orchestra
Obi-Wan riding the Boga [General Grievous, 0:38, 8sec] – Dark, Percussive
Anakin jumps in an airspeeder [unreleased, 9sec] – Dark, Dramatic
Anakin pleads with Mace to spare Palpatine [unreleased, 17sec] – Dark, Dissonant
Yoda finishes killing clone troopers [Enter Lord Vader, 3:43, 6sec] - Dramatic
Obi-Wan/Anakin force push [Anakin vs. Obi-Wan, 3:21, 13sec] – Chorus, Full Orchestra, Dramatic, Epic, Forceful
I have failed you, Anakin. [battle Of The Heroes, 1:56, 15sec] – Chorus, Full Orchestra, Dramatic, Dark
Obi-Wan arrives at Polis Massa [unreleased, 12sec] – Uplifting, Full Orchestra, Poignant
Padmé dies [The Birth Of The Twins And Padmé's Destiny, 1:54, 5sec] - Sad
Vader's rage [The Birth Of The Twins And Padmé's Destiny, 2:53, 5sec] – Sad, Unique Counter Line (Funeral Theme)
To Tatooine, to his family send him. [unreleased, 14sec] – Poignant
Training I have for you. [unreleased, 15sec] – Mystical
Star Destroyer bridge [unreleased, 8sec] – Sad, Poignant
Arrival at Alderaan [unreleased, 5sec] – String Transition
Obi-Wan gives Luke to Beru [A New Hope and End Credits, 0:51, 28sec] – Poignant, Full Orchestra, Epic
* not used in film [A New Hope and End Credits, 7:04, 35sec] - Triumphant, Epic, Militaristic, Full Orchestra
 
 
 
Appearances in Star Wars Games and Multimedia Projects
 
Over the years the Force Theme also appeared in several Star Wars games and multimedia projects. Most of them were recorded with full orchestra. Shadows of the Empire counts as the best of the bunch. Composer Joel McNeely recorded about 50 minutes of music with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and a 150 - piece chorus and incorporated the Imperial March and the Force Theme at appropriate moments.
The Kotor games were praised for their good and versatile music. Jeremy Soule, the composer of Kotor 1, had to use an 8 megabit per second MIDI system. Regardless of the limitations he managed to compose an epic and worthy score with almost exclusively new thematic material. Mark Griskey on the other hand recorded his music for Kotor 2 and both Force Unleashed games with full orchestra. For the Force Unleashed games he decided to include a larger amount of established Williams themes. The Imperial March, the Force Theme, the Rebel fanfare as well as some lesser known Williams material like the Kamino motif all appear throughout the scores.
In 2011 Bioware and Lucasarts released the very ambitious "The Old Republic" MMORPG. For this game a team of composers recorded over 4.5 hours of original music performed by the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and choir. Mark Griskey once again was one of the Lead composers. The team incorporated several Williams themes like Yoda's Theme or the Force Theme.
 
The tracks are listed chronologically in appearance with Filmquote or Description [Track Title, Start time of the theme statement, Duration] - Short musical attributes like Mystical, Forceful,..)
 
 
Shadows of the Empire (Soundtrack Album): 1 Appearance / 32sec
[Night Skies, 3:10, 32 sec] – Noble, Full Orchestra, Epic
Knights of the Old Republic (Complete Score): 1 Appearance / 19sec
[bastila Shan’s Theme, 0:50, 19 sec] – Ethereal, Poignant
Knights of the Old Republic II (Complete Score): 1 Appearance / 13sec
[Lightside, 0:00, 13 sec] – Ethereal, Upbeat
The Force Unleashed (Promo): 5 Appearances / 38sec
[General Kota and the Control Room, 2:52, 11sec] – Militaristic, Full Orchestra
[Drexl’s Raiders, 2:18, 5 sec] – Forceful, Dramatic
[infiltrating the Junk Temple, 1:42, 6 sec] – Militaristic, Full Orchestra
[Maris and the Bull Rancor, 1:50, 13sec] – Percussive, Dark
[Redemption, 1:28, 3 sec] – Low Key, Short
The Force Unleashed II (Promo): 1 Appearance / 24sec
[Discovering Dagobah and the Cave, 6:29, 24sec] – Full Orchestra, Noble
The Old Republic (Promo): 1 Appearance / 6sec
[Tython the Wellspring, 2:49, 6sec] - Poignant, Thematic Variation
The Old Republic (Collector's Edition Soundtrack): 5 Appearances / 1min26sec
[Justice, The Jedi Knight, 1:25, 4sec] - Short Transition
[Justice, The Jedi Knight, 3:57, 7sec] - Militaristic, Dark
[Peace, The Jedi Consular, 0:00, 38sec] - Full Orchestra, Noble
[Peace, The Jedi Consular, 3:15, 31sec] - Full Orchestra, Dark, Mystical
[Peace, The Jedi Consular, 4:00, 6sec] - Dark, Mystical
 
 
 

Update: Edited to include additional Force Theme statements (Thanks to oierem)
Included parts of JW 1977 liner notes and further explanations for the tracklists
Started to include several Force Theme appearances in Star Wars games and Multimedia projects
Added Force Theme Appearances from the Old Republic game score

But don't kill Shore if it's possible. I want a clean job.

Meh.
The virtuosic quality of Lincoln made quite an impression on me. And I think this might be one of his best takes on the Copland-esque Americana sound.

Indy 4 and Book Thief haven't compelled me to go back for repeat listens much but I think they're both fairly likeable scores, anyway, especially the latter. Lincoln's too solemn for me to repeatedly go back to it from start-to-finish, but it has some seriously outstanding writing and I listen to individual pieces like "The American Process" all the time. And I still get a hell of a lot out of Tintin and War Horse, I'd put those just below top-tier Williams. Really entertaining albums overall and a few great themes each. Maybe not up to Williams' highest, timeless standards, but certainly a far cry from "bland, forgettable, awful." I thought they made for a terrific comeback three years ago and they still hold up.

Not in my top 10 for sure, but it is definitely a very under-appreciated score. It's grown on me so much.

Lincoln's weak film presentation is a major detraction for me. It's great on album though.