Pelzter 0 Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Ever since I heard the Crystal Skull theme, I've been fascinated with the solumn and gloomy B-section. Its tone and minor key harmonic progressions somehow seem to tell me something of what happened at Akator in the large time gab between the aliens teaching the tribe all these advanced technologies, and when the skull was taken by Orellana; a period of several thousand years. The music seems to suggest an almost elegiac somberness, of something going wrong or happening in that time. Maybe something happened to the aliens, killing them off? I don't know, I'm just relaying what that particular piece of score seems to tell me.Thoughts on this?Pelzter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I could see that. I love the B theme, I think it is superior just based on the stuff we hear in the concert version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieter Boelen 740 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I also really like that part. The music, to me, sounds a longing of the aliens to go back home.I think they're homesick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I love one of its only variations in "Orellana's Cradle". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desplat13 1 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 What is the B section of that theme? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delorean90 42 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 The oboe line.I hadn't thought of it that way, but you bring up some excellent observations, Pelzter. As I visualize that along with my memory of the B theme, it's quite amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 1:22 of Call of the Crystal I love the way it soars around the 2.00 mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desplat13 1 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Oh, yeah. Cool melody. I really like this theme. Actually, there are quite a few different parts to it, aren't there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 At first I mixed that part up with Irena's theme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,059 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Ever since I heard the Crystal Skull theme, I've been fascinated with the solumn and gloomy B-section. Its tone and minor key harmonic progressions somehow seem to tell me something of what happened at Akator in the large time gab between the aliens teaching the tribe all these advanced technologies, and when the skull was taken by Orellana; a period of several thousand years. The music seems to suggest an almost elegiac somberness, of something going wrong or happening in that time. Maybe something happened to the aliens, killing them off? I don't know, I'm just relaying what that particular piece of score seems to tell me.Thoughts on this?PelzterUnfortunately it seems that perhaps Williams saw more potential than what was revealed on screen in regards to the Skulls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Barnsbury 8 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I doubt that Williams consciously wrote the (B) theme to represent all that, but I do like it quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,714 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 The B section of the Skull theme is indeed wonderful. It evokes the feeling of mystery, distant past, wonder (even if a bit alien wonder and not your typical bright choir oohing and aahing to something miraculous) and sadness. I have always likened it to "the legend of Akator" kind of music very much like the Sankara Stones motif from ToD which also relates as much to the Stones as it does to their legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Well, I like this track too, but it's like "Auschwitz-Birkenau" from Schindler's List.Whenever I listen to it, I do it knowing something horrible is gonna happen. And you never listen to it because you enjoy or like it. You listen to it because it's human nature to be drawn to something indescribably horrible...But yeah, the oboe line is nice. A respite from the terror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 the terror? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Yes. John Williams is a terrorist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Yes. John Williams is a terrorist. Why do you state the obvious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,795 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Ever since I heard the Crystal Skull theme, I've been fascinated with the solumn and gloomy B-section. Its tone and minor key harmonic progressions somehow seem to tell me something of what happened at Akator in the large time gab between the aliens teaching the tribe all these advanced technologies, and when the skull was taken by Orellana; a period of several thousand years. The music seems to suggest an almost elegiac somberness, of something going wrong or happening in that time. Maybe something happened to the aliens, killing them off? I don't know, I'm just relaying what that particular piece of score seems to tell me.Thoughts on this?PelzterUnfortunately it seems that perhaps Williams saw more potential than what was revealed on screen in regards to the Skulls.Call me over-analysing smart ass or whatever you want.But when the nostalgics make statements like that i just cant keep my mouth shut.What you said can be applied to the superman march, whose B-theme (or fanfare or whatever it is) is used like twice in the score (not counting Main and end title sequences. It is really a good theme, and i think its the part that people recognize superman with. But it was seldom used in the movie.So yes it seems Williams saw more potential in Superman the Movie what was revealed on screen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I'm sorry...What? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 This thread is making no more sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,795 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I'm sorry...What?Here we go again...Manuel just spoke nonsense bullpoo again.Superman march concert version: 0:40-0:56I can only recal its ussage in the actual film score in Helicopter rescue. Yet it is what people hum if they are asked to hum the Superman theme.Just saying that the same criticisms you can use for modern films and scores can be used in the old ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 But I don't get it Manuel.It's not like anyone has attributed some mystical storytelling power to that piece of music, like is the case here. I don't see the similarity.Then again, maybe Williams did write that B-section of Call of the Crystal with that backstory in mind. Who knows? But as Mark says, that aspect is not evident anywhere onscreen, only in the music, making such a claim more conjecture than something based on evidence found within the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 it's a bit like that Sith Legends theme (Palpatine's Big Pitch) in RotS ,conjuring some ancient mythical past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,795 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 But I don't get it Manuel.It's not like anyone has attributed some mystical storytelling power to that piece of music, like is the case here. I don't see the similarity.Then again, maybe Williams did write that B-section of Call of the Crystal with that backstory in mind. Who knows? But as Mark says, that aspect is not evident anywhere onscreen, only in the music, making such a claim more conjecture than something based on evidence found within the picture.you make sense...I suppose I just saw it as Mark getting the opportunity to bash KOTCS again. Anyway, I dont think Mark is considering Williams had Peltzer backstory in mind (neither do I), just that Williams saw more in the Skulls that what he feels the movie should have shown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Williamsfan301 11 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 I also really like that part. The music, to me, sounds a longing of the aliens to go back home.I think they're homesick. HEY! Look who's back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,059 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 Ever since I heard the Crystal Skull theme, I've been fascinated with the solumn and gloomy B-section. Its tone and minor key harmonic progressions somehow seem to tell me something of what happened at Akator in the large time gab between the aliens teaching the tribe all these advanced technologies, and when the skull was taken by Orellana; a period of several thousand years. The music seems to suggest an almost elegiac somberness, of something going wrong or happening in that time. Maybe something happened to the aliens, killing them off? I don't know, I'm just relaying what that particular piece of score seems to tell me.Thoughts on this?PelzterUnfortunately it seems that perhaps Williams saw more potential than what was revealed on screen in regards to the Skulls.Call me over-analysing smart ass or whatever you want.But when the nostalgics make statements like that i just cant keep my mouth shut.What you said can be applied to the superman march, whose B-theme (or fanfare or whatever it is) is used like twice in the score (not counting Main and end title sequences. It is really a good theme, and i think its the part that people recognize superman with. But it was seldom used in the movie.So yes it seems Williams saw more potential in Superman the Movie what was revealed on screen...I'm late to this thread but what the hell are you talking about? Maybe you should tone it down some since you are up to your typical I must defend everything Lucasfilm/Spielberg and Williams without truly understanding the point.Again you don't understand the true meaning of nostalgia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,795 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 Ever since I heard the Crystal Skull theme, I've been fascinated with the solumn and gloomy B-section. Its tone and minor key harmonic progressions somehow seem to tell me something of what happened at Akator in the large time gab between the aliens teaching the tribe all these advanced technologies, and when the skull was taken by Orellana; a period of several thousand years. The music seems to suggest an almost elegiac somberness, of something going wrong or happening in that time. Maybe something happened to the aliens, killing them off? I don't know, I'm just relaying what that particular piece of score seems to tell me.Thoughts on this?PelzterUnfortunately it seems that perhaps Williams saw more potential than what was revealed on screen in regards to the Skulls.Call me over-analysing smart ass or whatever you want.But when the nostalgics make statements like that i just cant keep my mouth shut.What you said can be applied to the superman march, whose B-theme (or fanfare or whatever it is) is used like twice in the score (not counting Main and end title sequences. It is really a good theme, and i think its the part that people recognize superman with. But it was seldom used in the movie.So yes it seems Williams saw more potential in Superman the Movie what was revealed on screen...I'm late to this thread but what the hell are you talking about? Maybe you should keep your mouth shut since you are up to your typical I must defend everything Lucasfilm/Spielberg and Williams without truly understanding the point.Again you don't understand the true meaning of nostalgia.Your point is that KOTCS sucks, and no i will never kneel before that thought.When i see the stubborn people like me shutting their mouths i'll also act in consequence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 I sense much fear, in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oierem 152 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 The B section of the Skull theme is indeed wonderful. It evokes the feeling of mystery, distant past, wonder (even if a bit alien wonder and not your typical bright choir oohing and aahing to something miraculous) and sadness. I have always likened it to "the legend of Akator" kind of music very much like the Sankara Stones motif from ToD which also relates as much to the Stones as it does to their legend.And there is a great progression through its 3 appearences on the score: somber woodwinds in Orellana's Cradle, oboe in Temple Ruins/The Throne Room and finally full strings in Secret Treasure/Spalko's Gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pelzter 0 Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 it's a bit like that Sith Legends theme (Palpatine's Big Pitch) in RotS ,conjuring some ancient mythical past.Exactly... The Sith Legends motif is arguably the most interesting musical idea in Revenge of the Sith, and the same could be said for both main and secondary skull themeI especially love when the theme is used at the door opening scene in the temple. It seems to exactly convey some of the otherwise cloudy backstory of Akator, the skulls and their fate. Like an elegy, but also with a sense of history and mystery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 It sucks that Palpatine's Big Pitch didn't show up in the videogame files yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I love that track title, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 50 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 it's a bit like that Sith Legends theme (Palpatine's Big Pitch) in RotS ,conjuring some ancient mythical past.Exactly... The Sith Legends motif is arguably the most interesting musical idea in Revenge of the SithWow, really? It sounds pretty generically spooky to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I mean the little passage in the middle of the cue with the humming choir. There's a moment of dark reverence there .He used the same idea at the end of "Palpatine's Seduction" (again the spooky choir bit) .In both instances it's when Palpatine talks about using dark side force powers to resurrect the dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie 45 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Isn't the B-melody the ACTUAL 'luring' (i.e., calling) or the crystal? The opening part is just this evil, vacuous (Jaws' theme-like) pulsating presence of the crystal, then it tricks the beholder with its beauty and majesty in the waltzing middle section, then it builds up until it can't sustain this act any longer -- or rather, it's got you in its trap after all -- and it reverts back to its true identity... an evil, evil ostinato with a stagnantly chromatic, 'dead' melody, and by the end of the piece I suppose you're dead.It's like the temptation of the delicious apple in the Garden of Eden, or some other false beauty that one is attracted to... it clouds your perception and lures you into something that is actually empty and ugly.Ohwell, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desplat13 1 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Hmm, I really like that picture, Bowie. Nicely said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Indeed! Best description of the Skull theme that I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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