Tom

Pairs nicely with Indy's theme for the colonoscopy.  

Pairs nicely with Indy's theme for the colonoscopy.  

Pairs nicely with Indy's theme for the colonoscopy.  

For those interested in film score analysis, I'll be giving a virtual guest talk on harmony in John Williams' action music. The talk is with the Academy of Scoring Arts this Sunday, Sep. 10th, from 10am-12pm Pacific Time (they're based in L.A.). I'll be breaking down two cues from the original Star Wars trilogy: "Attacking a Star Destroyer" from The Empire Strikes Back, and "Fight in the Dungeon" (the Rancor scene) from Return of the Jedi. The idea is to give a sense not only of the kinds of chords Williams often uses, but also how he tends to use them in an action scene.
 
You must be a member to attend, but you can sign up entirely for free on the Academy's website. Here's the link for the talk on the ASA's site (includes a link to sign up with ASA):
https://scoringarts.com/event/the-music-of-john-williams-with-special-guest-mark-richards/

While BFG did not make my list, I consider the concert suite a top 20 piece.  

Towering Inferno 3-8-18 FIX
 
from the sheet music I was able to extract these edits:
 
0:00-4:34 Keith Lockhart CD
then 5 bar insert reprising the main melody - cut to 5:31 Keith Lockhart version until the end (Harp glissando and cymbal strike added at the junction).
 
Seems like a reasonable fix for a concert version, cuts out the quieter part and shortens the (in my opinion somewhat lengthy) piece.
 
I wasn't able to find any recordings of this version yet, unfortunately.
 
 
 

"Let's do a promotional video with John Williams!" - "Cool idea, how often can we get him to say Deutsche Grammophon within one minute?" - "Oh, I'm sure he can manage it three times." - "Only three? How about four, or five?"

I don't always go for these revisions, but I liked what I heard.  It would be nice to have a proper recording.  The original was never a pure favorite of mine, so it is easier to enjoy the changes.  
 
I am a bit surprised, given his predilection for doing such things, that Rey's theme did not get a sizable extension or something.  He likes the theme, we like the theme, go two more minutes with it.  

Using the Hal Leonard Signature edition measure numbers, here are the changes between versions:
 
2 new measures added between m24 and 25. These 2 bars are an expanded orchestration of measures 5 and 6.
 
Measures 25 and 26 have slight alterations to texture, register, and rhythm. Measure 27 returns to HL as printed.
 
Measures 41 to 44 have been rewritten. What was previously 14 beats of music (4/4+4/4+4/4+2/4) is now 25 beats (5/4+6/4+6/4+4/4+4/4). The new version features altered meter and elongated note lengths, along with the addition of a flute to the Vln1 line and added harp. The new violin 1 part in m43 is entirely different, only vaguely similar to the contour of the older version. What has actually happened is an augmentation (lengthening) of all the notes in old measure 43. The ear is thrown by the inclusion of a G# which is new, but the rest of the melody is the same notes in a very lengthened form. The underlying harmony has also changed, but I'll leave that to a music theorist for explanation. 
 
Measure 45 to the end is unchanged. 
 
I hope this helps!
 

https://www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJ8C9N
 

Which is absurd enough, but this is a trailer for the music.  That would be like a trailer for a Star Wars show using nothing but footage from Full House.  

Speeder Chase (but maybe too novel for an encore).
Obi-Wan
Throne Room

The piece consists mainly of "Farewell" from the OST, but has a new, short ending:  
I made a mockup of it:
 

Oh crap, I was supposed to go to Japan.  

I may have played that album as much as the ordinal LP for star wars when I was a child. 

Where have you been?  

Thanks Ricard & Jason. Hope to see many JWFans in London next month. Something special is also being planned the day before this concert so mark your diary. More info soon!
 
Oh, and seeing as you asked so nicely:
 

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace 
 
Star Wars Main Theme and Arrival at Naboo (03:00)
 
The Flag Parade (03:00)
 
Anakin’s Theme (04:00)
 
Duel of the Fates (04:00) with SATB Choir
 
Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
 
Across the Stars (05:00)
 
Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
 
Battle of the Heroes (04:00) with SATB Choir
 
Episode 4: A New Hope
 
The Cantina Band (02:00)
 
Here They Come! (02:00)
 
Princess Leia’s Theme (04:00)
 
Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
 
The Asteroid Field (04:00)
 
Yoda’s Theme (03:00)
 
Han Solo and the Princess (05:00)
 
Carbon Freeze & The Imperial March (04:00)
 
 
--------- Interval -----------
 
 
LUCASFILM LOGO FANFARE (30 secs)
 
Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
 
The Forest Battle (04:00)
 
Luke and Leia (05:00)
 
Parade of the Ewoks (04:00)
 
Episode 7: The Force Awakens
 
March of the Resistance (02:00)
 
Rey’s Theme (03:00)
 
X-Wing Scherzo (2:30)
 
Episode 8: The Last Jedi
 
The Rebellion is Reborn (04:00)
 
Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker
 
The Rise of Skywalker (5:00)
 
Rey and Ben (3:00)
 
The Adventures of Han Solo from Solo: A Star Wars Story (04:00)
 
 

Are they performing anything from the TROS suite?  

Oh crap, I was supposed to go to Japan.  

Where have you been?  

Where have you been?  

Oh crap, I was supposed to go to Japan.  

Where have you been?  

Where have you been?  

Where have you been?