Damien F 1,742 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, Quintus said: I've thought about this a lot actually over the last couple of years and I've meant to make a thread about it countless times. Those last seven notes on the celesta... I always feel like that was Williams signing off, at the time, from Star Wars just in case. It's awfully poignant to me, those closing final moments of that score. Agree so much with that. I wouldn't be surprised if he was probably leaning towards retiring from the franchise as he was writing TFA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 10 minutes ago, RadJ said: And the final notes of TLJ seems like "OK maybe I'll do one more" or "Who knows?" Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, Damien F said: Agree so much with that. I wouldn't be surprised if he was probably leaning towards retiring from the franchise as he was writing TFA. From what we read in the media at the time he didn't at all seem certain that he would compose Episodes VIII and IX. It's a big project to commit to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, Damien F said: Agree so much with that. I wouldn't be surprised if he was probably leaning towards retiring from the franchise as he was writing TFA. Daisy brought him back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Lackluster 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 The Last Jedi soundtrack is awe-inspiring. The worst thing one could say about it is that the music is too new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted December 14, 2017 8 minutes ago, Donna Lackluster said: The Last Jedi soundtrack is awe-inspiring. The worst thing one could say about it is that the music is too new. Maybe it will sound better in a week. 19 minutes ago, RadJ said: And the final notes of TLJ seems like "OK maybe I'll do one more" or "Who knows?" The sheer fear of Desplat taking over the reins will give him the necessary motivation to complete the trilogy. Donna Lackluster, Pieter Boelen and _deleted_ 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 8 minutes ago, Donna Lackluster said: The Last Jedi soundtrack is awe-inspiring. The worst thing one could say about it is that the music is too new. Quite a lot of it isn't that new though. Jurassic Shark and Donna Lackluster 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatehbaz 6 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Given that the Resistance march/theme was my favorite new thematic identity from TFA (and I agree that its absence from the TFA finale was peculiar), I was pleasantly surprised to hear so much of the theme integrated in this new score. Two of my (new) favorite iterations of the theme appear in rapid succession in "Main Title and Escape." First, at 3:01-3:10-ish, that rapid, frantic statement is fresh - desperate yet building towards triumph. Then, my favorite new addition to the theme occurs at 3:20-3:23, after the explosive introductory fanfare but before the main statement - that very brief sort of reverberating horn (or is it trombone?) performing a bold, defiant fragment of the theme leading into the main statement. It immediately evoked a mental image of someone raising their fists and quickly positioning themselves for a fight, as if in a gritty fisticuffs match. What a great addition - it fits the sort of early twentieth century revolutionary militarism and every-man grit of the theme. I'm glad that the heroes have a theme with some grit and fire, a bite. Following this statement, between 3:30-3:40, I enjoy the pounding drums and thundering brass - this reminded me very much of "Superman." Jurassic Shark and Quintus 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 Yea, I picked up on the Superman similarity, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 TFA has some Superman too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,206 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 5 hours ago, KK said: Yup, pretty sure that was him. For hornist, every Williams score that comes out is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I wrote a long answer but deleted it and say just FUCK YOU and filmscore. Please try to do it by yourselves, it isn't that easy. oh you may have tried😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Just saw this on a non-score movie forum: Quote Came out of the cinema singing the Resistence theme out loud. Love that piece of music. Jost1 and Pieter Boelen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 10 minutes ago, Stefancos said: TFA has some Superman too! On the soundtrack album? Where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jost1 105 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 28 minutes ago, Donna Lackluster said: The Last Jedi soundtrack is awe-inspiring. The worst thing one could say about it is that the music is too new. I fucking love it, having listened to all of it a couple of times now. And watched the film. Donna Lackluster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted December 14, 2017 I started an analysis for shits and gigs, and to distract me from perpetual existential crisis. Here's the first half: Star Wars: The Last Jedi OST Review / Musical Analysis Introduction Mixing / Mastering What initially stands out for me is the mixing and mastering of the album, which hits you straight away upon listening to 01 Main Titles and Escape. The entire album is heavily limited, mixed meticulously, and makes use of modern mastering techniques such as multi-band compression. There’s no doubt that this is the loudest original Star Wars album release to date. Aesthetically, the techniques used create an epic, large, punchy sound, with bass rolls and strikes that caused my ADAM A8X monitors to boom beautifully, and the trumpet highs of the fanfares and action pieces to almost pierce the ears, were they not being hugged by a warm, analogue-sounding bus compression. The percussion hits are particularly explosive when they occur! Sometimes the limiting gets a bit too close to brick-walling for my personal liking, with sections sounding as if they’re fighting for headroom. Track-by-track analysis 01 Main Titles and Escape The track of course starts with the iconic Star Wars / Luke’s Theme fanfare. The performance is very similar to the TFA performance, if not identical. What does sound different is how punchy it is. The main titles segue into a homage to the mysterious piccolo solo that featured in the same way in ESB. This is my favourite of the main title segues, so it was a pleasure to hear it played here with such articulacy. The track quickly enters an urgent-sounding, militaristic section, with a pounding, rhythmic bass pedal, and fast fanfaric brass/winds, reminiscent of RoTS / BoTH material to my ears. The track is frenzied, with shifting textures constantly as the story develops. Kylo Ren’s Theme makes its first appearance with a bang at 1:57, orchestrated identically to how we’ve heard it in TFA. I’ve noticed that Williams seems to give the ‘B section’ of Kylo Ren’s Theme a bit more room to breathe in this score – I’m referring here to the ominous rising bass phrase – it’s a bit more fleshed-out and developed throughout the score. The cue continues in various (likely edited) directions, before a triumphant rendition of the Rebel Fanfare erupts at 2:40. Other theme appearances are a lively and triumphant Poe’s Theme at 3:01, March of The Resistance at 3:17, an allusion The TFA ‘Falcon’/Chase theme at 4:20, orchestrated wonderfully, Battle of the Heroes at 6:15, and others (I think there may be a new Luke on the Island Theme that occurs at around 4:03). Overall, the orchestration is absolutely stellar. Reminiscent of the end-reel action cues for TPM. Rich, detailed, colourful, and innovative. Shout-out to the Superman-esque bass ostinato! Very exciting track. The feel is dominant, urgent, frenzied and triumphant, told in Williams’ usual story-telling drama style. 02 Ahch-To Island This track begins with The Jedi Steps theme introduced in TFA. The cue alludes to a fragment of Battle of the Heroes in the bass at 0:57. This cue is incidental, with various swells and developments. The orchestration sometimes uses colours Williams’ seemed to have previously reserved only for Potter or more whimsical/magical films. The cue builds up to a full, wonderful rendition of Rey’s Theme at 2:42. Luke on the Island Theme re-occurs in what I believe to be a clearer rendition at 3:35. Parts of the cue are slightly coloured akin to the mid-reels of RoTS (e.g. Anakin’s Betrayal), in my opinion. 03 Revisiting Snoke Ominous underscore. Williams has got them monks again doing their thang. Expect tremolo swells, and relatively subtle renditions of Kylo Ren’s Theme (both parts) as well as The Imperial March. Again, some innovative orchestration here. Epic & lively ending involving Kylo Ren’s Theme. 04 The Supremacy Starts with sleuthing underscore that develops gradually. March of the Resistance appears 0:48, which gets developed with increasing urgency. The cue becomes more frenzied, as Williams’ famous action 2-4-3-5-1 (minor) ostinato gets used excitingly. Great string-work develops, which is really a development on the Kylo Ren chase music established in TFA, and reminiscent of other Williams action cues (e.g. The Moon Rising in A.I.). The craftsmanship in the string writing is striking (a bugger to play, though). The cue takes a turn at 2:03, where we hear Princess Leia’s Theme played over ominous, dissonant harmonies. Shortly after, we hear another, more uncertain and intimate solo harp rendition of Princess Leia’s Theme before the orchestra continues to boldly develop the narrative, interspersed with references to the Force Theme. The cue ends with a fragment of Rey’s Theme. 05 Fun with Finn and Rose The track begins with the first appearance of a gentle rendition of a fragment of Rose’s Theme. It’s a simple melody, but quite memorable, with a Celtic, feminine aesthetic that I felt Rey’s Theme also had. At 0:52 we get a light-hearted rendition of the B section of The March of the Resistance, which develops a bit and involves the A part too. Princess Leia’s Theme re-appears with clarity at 1:35. Overall, mostly incidental underscore here. Shout out to the innovative, fresh ending – where did that come from, Johnny? 06 Old Friends The cue begins with a subdued rendition of The Force Theme, which gets a full play-out before the tone develops into something more light-hearted and impressionistic, with Luke’s Theme peppered in. Princess Leia’s Theme again appears delightfully and magically at 1:12. The second half of the cue is more sparse, with a fragment of Rey’s Theme, ominous sounding gestures leading to Kylo Ren’s Theme, and more whimsical Williams story telling. At 3:00 the new Luke on the Island Theme returns. Again, there is some wonderful eerie orchestration and colours here. I think it’s great that Williams is still innovating. 07 The Rebellion is Reborn The cue begins with a lovely and full rendition of Rose’s Theme – triumphant and broad, before developing into a fragment of Rey’s Theme. The Luke on the Island Theme returns, interspersed with Rose’s Theme. The track has an exciting and optimistic feel. It ends with a fantastic, bold, optimistic outro using Rose’s Theme. I imagine pushes the narrative forward very well. 08 Lesson One Starts light with fluttering strings and winds, before a gentle performance of Rey’s Theme. The cue develops in interesting directions, making use of The Force Theme. The cue becomes very dramatic at around 1:28 with an ominous ostinato-like figure being played by the strings. The cue swells to a gigantic, cliffhanging end. 09 Canto Bight Begins with a lovely fanfare with some interesting harmonic stuff going on. Prepare yourself for the source music which references Aquarela do Brasil, but don’t let the steel drums put you off. This track actually turns into something very creative, funny and funky – reminiscent of Jazzy stuff from Tintin, CMIYC, and The Knight Bus. I love the boogie-woogie bass synth - it's coloured so amusingly. Pretty hilarious. 10 Who Are You? The track begins mysteriously, with a mention to Rey's Theme. The tone becomes more ominous. More underscoring involving sparse, eerie gestures. Great dissonant harmonies and colours are crafted by Williams. At 2:10 the energy suddenly increases, starting with a short rendition of the Rebel Fanfare and Luke's Theme. 11 The Fathiers This is a fun action piece. I immediately pick up on a 'swashbuckling' feel here at the beginning, reminiscent to some of the Tin-Tin material. The cue is full of exciting gestures, horn rips, swirling violins, off-beat xylophone hits, healthy doses of Boom-Tzzz and rapid-fire trumpets. At 1:02 a fragment of Rose's Theme briefly appears. At 1:28 Rose's Theme appears again, but this time it really lifts magically and gets a chance to soar. The track has a great energy - exciting, optimistic, almost whimsical in parts in a Potter-esque style. Williams effortlessly develops the narrative with his usual key changes and rhythmic variations. There's a lot going on here. 12 The Cave Low harp-pedal and ominous gestures begin this dissonant cue, immediately creating an uneasy feel. The dissonances and timbres are slightly reminiscent of the Dagobah material from ESB, in my opinion. The cue continues for a while oscilating between moments of rising, orchestrationally-innovative gestures and eerie silences. At 1:35 a flute solo emerges, non-vibrato, quite haunting - still and questioning. The cue proceeds with a kind of romantic string elegy with fragments of Rey's Theme, before arriving at a subdued ending. 13 The Sacred Jedi Texts Begins with a plain rendition of The Force Theme, before transporting to a mysterious, questioning, swirling statement. Yoda's Theme appears briefly at 0:31, before a loud transitional fanfare. The Force Theme makes a loud, dramatic and desperate appearance 1:00, which I found to be very powerful. We hear a lovely string elegy at 1:43. Another stock appearance of The Force Theme a bit later. The cue ends with the concert arrangement of Yoda's Theme at 2:39. ... more to come ocelot, Ricard, Sharkissimo and 4 others 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Disappointed that the OST doesn't contain a track titled First Order Fugue. _deleted_ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 35 minutes ago, Damien F said: Agree so much with that. I wouldn't be surprised if he was probably leaning towards retiring from the franchise as he was writing TFA. Yes, and it's possible he was even taking into consideration his state of health at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Having seen the movie, I'm certain the theme you describe as Militaristic Resistance’ theme is for Luke on the island. From what I recall, it only ever appears on the island with him and Rey, and never anywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Damien F said: Having seen the movie, I'm certain the theme you describe as Militaristic Resistance’ theme is for Luke on the island. Thank you! I wasn't sure what to call it having not yet seen the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 18 minutes ago, Stefancos said: TFA has some Superman too! 8 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: On the soundtrack album? Where? On the FYC album, in "The Resistance". Or was it "The Bombing Run"? I forget now. Jurassic Shark and Jacck 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,391 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 9 minutes ago, Jack said: 01 Main Titles and Escape Battle of the Heroes at 6:15 02 Ahch-To Island The cue alludes to a fragment of Battle of the Heroes in the bass at 0:57. Am I missing something?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 I pointed out the Battle The Heroes thing, too On 12/13/2017 at 12:25 PM, Jay said: And around 6:20ish... is that Battle of the Heroes -esque or is it just me? Jacck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 12 minutes ago, Chewy said: Am I missing something?! You can't hear it? It's as clear as day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loert 2,511 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I mean, it's an allusion if anything. It's not a direct quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 13 minutes ago, Jack said: Thank you! I wasn't sure what to call it having not yet seen the film. It has a few stand out moments in the film, one in particular. It is really growing on me, like the resistance march did. Jacck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, Loert said: I mean, it's an allusion if anything. It's not a direct quote. Yes, of course it is varied. But Battle of the Heroes it is, nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I still think that was unintentional. Though people who have seen the film may speak more on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I would be more interested in having a debate as to whether, for example, 02 Ahch-To Island alludes to a fragment of Battle of the Heroes in the bass at 0:57, as I mentioned. That is far more subjective! The referencing in Main Titles and Escape is blatant. Most definitely intentional, beyond doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jost1 105 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I don't think there are any intentional quotes of Battle of the Heroes in there. But I agree it sounds like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Just now, RadJ said: I don't think there are any intentional quotes of Battle of the Heroes in there. But I agree it sounds like it I believe you are most definitely wrong. Listen again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jost1 105 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Jack said: I believe you are most definitely wrong. Listen again. It could be intentional of course, I'm not saying it definitely isn't. I completely agree it sounds exactly like that bridge part of Battle of the Heroes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacck 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Just now, RadJ said: It could be intentional of course, I'm not saying it definitely isn't. I completely agree it sounds exactly like that bridge part of Battle of the Heroes. So unless Williams suffered some temporary loss of agency while writing, it follows that he intended to reference BotH. Jost1 and Bilbo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,391 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I now see what you mean on Track 1 (6:15), love that part, didn't notice the similarity at first. Do you guys have any idea what this motif/theme could be related to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 29 minutes ago, Jay said: On the FYC album, in "The Resistance". Or was it "The Bombing Run"? I forget now. It's in The Ways of the Force, FYC version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Mulder 154 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Only three new themes. I hope Ep. 9 will be more melodious. I understand that new characters have not arrived to TLJ: no new characters what they deserve the theme, except for Rose. That's why Williams used only old famous themes and new action music. Finn's theme/Action motif is not on soundtrack. That's pity. I like it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Star_Wars#First_appearance_8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 Just now, Jurassic Shark said: It's in The Ways of the Force, FYC version. Right! That one! Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Battle Of The Heroes is the first thing that came to mind when I listened to it for the first time. It's beyond wierd how many old themes and cues and concert suites are quoted or alluded to in TLJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Lackluster 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Because it tries to build a bridge between three generations of Star Wars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I don't think BOTH is deliberate though. I can't recall anything in that point if the film to suggest otherwise. Unlike virtually every other statement of an old theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewya 360 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 It is because Johnson temp tracked the whole movie with old SW stuff.... maybe. _deleted_ and Darth Mulder 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 That wouldn't surprise me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Lackluster 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 To John Williams' surprise, the temp was all Williams. "Rian Johnson had prepared a temp track with all my music from Indiana Jones." Pieter Boelen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Amazing! Donna Lackluster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Mulder 154 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Just now, Donna Lackluster said: To John Williams' surprise, the temp was all Williams. "Rian Johnson had prepared a temp track with all my music from Indiana Jones." Really? I want proof Donna Lackluster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,478 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 19 minutes ago, Skywanker said: Only three new themes. I hope Ep. 9 will be more melodious. I understand that new characters have not arrived to TLJ: no new characters what they deserve the theme, except for Rose. That's why Williams used only old famous themes and new action music. Finn's theme/Action motif is not on soundtrack. That's pity. I like it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Star_Wars#First_appearance_8 The source is HERE - JWFAN : D Donna Lackluster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 10 minutes ago, Donna Lackluster said: Because it tries to build a bridge between three generations of Star Wars? You don't do that by throwing in random quotes from themes that have no meaning at that point. That's Chamber Of Secrets-ey. Joni Wiljami and Mathieu 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,076 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Dammit! I was listening to TFA on Spotify, and after the Finale suddenly Zimmer was on! Donna Lackluster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviazn 273 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 2 hours ago, filmmusic said: The Asteroid field that I mentioned earlier, doesn't have a hummable melody Say what now? Pieter Boelen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Lackluster 23 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I cannot say anything as I haven't seen the movie yet. But the movie seems to have so many more characters (minus Han Solo) it was probably better to create less new themes and go with established ones. The flow of the album is much much better than TFA which was constantly starting and stopping and micro-mickey-mousing every silly detail instead of going into something simpler, but more effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 The only cue I've listened to so far is "Chrome Dome" - and I think it's excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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