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Here's my analysis post and "disassembly" of the Revenge of the Sith soundtrack: http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/2016/05/star-wars-ep-iii-revenge-of-sith.html I think there's some fantastic writing here, really gut-wrenching and beautiful, but I still think I like the themes from Episodes I and II better...probably a taste thing. Some of the stuff here is really sophisticated but not really developed as a thematic device, such as the "creepy theme" in Padme's Ruminations. I freakin' LOVE that, especially when the organ comes in! I wish he'd developed that more somehow.... I also wish he'd put together a concert version of Grievous' themes, I can imagine that being lots of fun. Anyways, there's probably some mistakes here, I'll be correcting as the days go by.... Now, if all goes according to the OT schedule we should have complete versions of the prequel movies by 2019...

Continuing my breakdowns of the Star Wars soundtracks, here's the film sequences/themes that go with the cues found on the Attack of the Clones soundtrack: http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/2016/04/star-wars-ep-ii-attack-of-clones.html Thanks to John Takis who turned me on to Jay's work here (and of course thanks Jay!):

Inside look at the making of the score! EDIT: Who made my post its own thread? Not complaining, we just have so many TFA threads already. Okay then. haha

Vote now, and post your thoughts and comments!

Anyone know where I can find Force Awakens violin Sheet music? I have been looking everyone where for its, thanks!

Two SW marches in a similar vein. Heroic but focused more on determination than optimism. For my part, I love both, but I have always loved the celebratory, yet menacing vibe to the Flag Parade.

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2016/02/star-wars-in-concert-to-return-in-2016-to-a-city-near-you/

This may look like just another Lego Star Wars game, but since it is only focusing on TFA, there's a small chance it could contain new music!! Before you guys say "fake!" keep in mind that this was leaked from the YouTube ads, and also briefly appeared on the Xbox Live Marketplace before it was taken down after about 10 minutes.

I've really been wanting to learn this on piano but it's not been officially released . . . does anyone have it?

Apparently for me it is Revenge of the Sith (not counting the amounts of time listened to the scores prior to my iPod crash and other variables) at 207 times and Ranking: ROTS: 207 times AOTC: 86 times ESB: 45 times TFA: 39 times TPM: 38 times ANH: 33 times ROTJ: 27 times

Hi! I have lurked here from time to time but the level erudite scholarship here has been so high that I never really had anything to contribute! But maybe now I have something? In the past I've written several blogs about music and other things (Beethoven, Stockhausen, anime, etc...) but my new blog project is to describe film action during soundtrack cues - I feel that this helps me enjoy the music (especially if the film itself is kind of fuzzy). There was an interview with Bernard Herrmann where he characterized the film's non-score elements (dialogue, visuals, sound design) to be the "melody" and the underlying score to be the "accompaniment" - a bit of a rough understatement, but it's an interesting viewpoint. Anyways, I just finished write-ups on Ep IV and V (with a good bit of corrections from the SE Mike Matessino notes). I see that Faleel has a fantastic thread breaking down the thematic material, and my posts aren't nearly that detailed (and are probably in need of a revision one day soon), but maybe these will be interesting to some parties. I'll be doing Ep VI very soon... My blog - called "Cue by Cue" can be found here http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/ I'll be the first to say that it's not cutting edge journal-level musicology, but I think it's presented in a fairly easy-to-read way - I hope! So far I've done Herrmann's "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and JW's 1st 2 SW films. Enjoy Star Wars direct link: http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/2016/01/star-wars-1977-williams.html Empire direct link: http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-empire-strikes-back-1980-williams.html

Sorry if this conversation has already been had. Now if that some time has passed and we have all taken in TFA's score, I want to discuss: which SW has the best action music? Action scenes are an essential ingredient in any SW movie and JW has always written thrilling, fun music to accompany them. I'm not sure I can do a ranking of the best action music by movie but I do think each movie has it's own flavor to it's action music. At the moment the action music in TPM score is really winning me over. I love the use of percussion, it's got some killer, big drum sections. The action music in TPM is fast, fun, and kind of light on it's feet. It's not full of bass and also not full of drama. The music seens more thrilling than dramatic. In particular I love the Escape from Naboo music, everything from the underwater stuff to fighting stupid battle droids to the Queen's starship. Then there's the final battles music. Even with all the edits, there's still a lot of great music to appreciate. I love how DOTF get's a real workout both with it's chorus version and as an instrumental motif weaved into other action music. It's just a lot of fun. Here's an example from TPM, I don't think any other prequel score has percussion as fun as this. And the force theme is integrated so well here. Even the brass has a great lightness to it. If people could give their own impressions that'd be great. I really want to dig into each film's action music.

One that stands out in my mind and haven't seen mentioned is the build-up to the arrival of Kylo Ren. For the first time in the saga, stormtroopers are shown to be the formidable fighting force we've been always been told they are. The moment I'm talking about really starts once the wave of stormtroopers starts taking significant causalities, and Finn recoils from the horror around him. In one of the film's most memorable images, a blooded hand from a dying comrade slides down Finn's helmet, At this point the score climbs to a fever pitch as out of the blackened clouds, Kylo Ren's shuttle raises its wings to land. Williams's motif with its triplet fanfares and cyclic string runs suggesting a man-monster, cutting through the fear in his troops. While technically none of this new (stylistically you could say it points to Nixon, The Patriot and RotS), dramatically this is dead on. Beyond badass.

Congratulations! Best original score The Hateful Eight - Ennio Morricone Sicario - Johann Johannsson Star Wars: The Force Awakens - John Williams Carol - Carter Burwell Bridge of Spies - Thomas Newman Full list of nominees http://oscar.go.com/nominees

Hey guys, I found this on Star Wars reddit but the video was summarily taken down by Disney so I've uploaded it on my dropbox. Its basically a 10 minute long video showing Before and After of compositing and CGI addition but it features many clips from the movie with full uninterrupted audio. I don't know if its possible to rip some parts that haven't been released but at least we can listen. I believe one of the members talked about a timpani roll that he really liked during the Falcon crashing through the trees on Starkiller Base? That's a clip in here but I'm not sure exactly when that musical part plays. Even though there was quite a lot of CGI in the end oh my god is it absolutely breathtaking. I love the X-Wing fighting scenes because there's these wonderful dynamic shots like a go-pro has been attached to the side of the X-wing haha. Without further audieu, enjoy! https://www.dropbox.com/s/tj1p2csteojemtx/VFX%20Before%20and%20After%20in%20Star%20Wars%20The%20Force%20Awakens.mp4?dl=0

is it just me or...

To me 'Bombing Run' sounds a lot like the ending of ANH to me, appropriate considering the circumstances but it also features a return of the Minor 'strained' scoring that gives the feeling the Resistance are the underdogs as the Rebels were. I was wondering if the more musically in tune could point out similarities between these two tracks because I'm sure there's something there that lets me say with full confidence that I wouldn't even blink if 'Bombing Run' was put into ANH. Here's the two tracks for reference: 1. Bombing Run - Force Awakens 2. Battle of Yavin - A New Hope

http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/film? Here's the nominees: The Hateful Eight - Ennio Morricone Bridge of Spies - Thomas Newman The Revenant - Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carsten Nicolai Star Wars: The Force Awakens - John Williams Sicario - Jóhann Jóhannsson

I have an unknown motif from Star Wars in my head, possibly heard early on in Episode V, at least. I am attaching a transcription of what is in my head. Can anyone identify its thematic attachment, if any? ~Conor

A new chapter is on the way in about 18 months. We have no clue what it'll be about. JJ reckons the script is good, but he might be pulling a James Gunn on us there. Although there's been no official announcement, is it a foregone conclusion that Johnny will return? If so, what can we expect? Will he give Rey's Theme further development or will he abandon it like he did Anakin's Theme? In ESB, he created a new baddie theme - will a new one emerge in the upcoming score? And how will the scoring schedule go? In TFA, it seemed to drag on for months - a marathon run for an ageing composer who will be on his last legs should he decide to return for Episode IX. Meantime, a new score by The Splat for Rogue One will be out later this year. That'll tide us over. I loved Godzilla, so I'm probably more eager for that one than most. I wonder if that film will have a $200+ million opening too?

my oboe cover of Rey's Theme

Have you guys seen what this app Ditty is letting everyone do with Star Wars songs? I've attached an example. I'm shocked they have the Star Wars songs in the app. I've understand Mr. Williams to be very particular about how his songs get used. Assuming he approved this, it's pretty cool he's up for people making up lyrics to all these famous Star Wars songs. Search Ditty in the app store to find the app....it's free and worth checking out. What do you think of my video? IMG_7021.mp4

I haven't had any crazy theories for a while, so here we go. ...I'm listening to the Scavenger, and the rhythmic piano section of Rey's theme (starts at 1:03) sounds eerily similar to the Emperor's Theme. Sort of like Anakin's Theme was a bright and cheery version of Darth Vader's theme? Is the Skywalker gone bad, and the Palpatine gone good this time? Is this why Luke gives Rey the death stare at the end?!

It's time.

Did you guys see this new interview with John Williams about The Force Awakens? http://www.bmi.com/special/john_williams