Ludwig Göransson & Joseph Shirley's THE MANDALORIAN (2019-present)

[Holko 9,491]

 

3 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

 

Loosely based on a fan-made album

 

ahem

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

I wasn't sure if you wanted to be known on the forum for this case, so sorry @Holko. It was indeed your edit that I based the playlist off of. I ended up cutting tracks that only had small excerpts on the album (Back for Beskar, Mandalore Way, Welcome Back) and I also trimmed down the amount of music from Chapter 8 that was included. I haven't actually listened to this playlist yet but I can only hope it even comes close to your work in terms of a great listening experience!

[MedigoScan 324]

I'd add at least one more track from episode 6 myself, since that was a really fun score to me.

[Holko 9,491]

Hyperspace, Little Mousey right near the beginning.

[Jay 37,266]

11 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

 

Loosely based on a fan-made album with the exception of a few tracks and obviously edits. Should do the trick in terms of covering the highlights and spreading out material effectively, as if it were an actual album.

 

Thanks more making and sharing this playlist!  I listened last night and really liked it.  I'm digging this score a lot!

 

I still haven't seen the show, but hope to start it soon, and I'm sure my appreciation for the music will only go up after I do.

 

BTW, what happened to the cool series of posts where people were describing all the themes and what tracks they appear in?

[Bofur01 245]

8 hours ago, Holko said:

 

 

ahem

Hey Holko, could you link your playlist here too?

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

On 07/01/2020 at 9:38 AM, Jay said:

BTW, what happened to the cool series of posts where people were describing all the themes and what tracks they appear in?

I had started to make a thematic guide for the first three episodes, but it became too difficult to decipher as the episodes progressed because a) it's not traditional thematic writing in terms of motific associations and b) there's a lot of overlap between themes at times, made possible by electronics and much variation on Goransson's part. To create a full catalogue would be quite difficult, and to then break it down track-by-track would be an even more mammoth task. Perhaps it could become a community project among fans of the score to tackle this. @Holko @Disco Stu let me know.

 

Here's a recap of the themes we know and the names we initially gave them:

Recorder Riff 

Fanfare (Main Theme- ?)

Razor Crest (triumphant fanfare)

Travelling Motif (like Kylo Ren's theme)

Western Motif (da-dun)

The Client (ominous high strings)

Mandalorian Culture 

Forge Motif (may be a massive variation of the recorder riff)

Chime Motif 

Jawa Motif (off-kilter tune)

The Child (guitar line)

 

Since then we've also received these, off the top of my head:

Raiders/Villagers Motif (Chapter 4)

IG's Theme (Chapter 7 and 8- see Reprogram)

Moff Gideon's Theme (Chapter 7 and 8- see Arrival)

 

There might be some others I'm forgetting.

 

On 07/01/2020 at 9:59 AM, Bofur01 said:

Hey Holko, could you link your playlist here too?

Holko's was a custom album that required personal editing of tracks. He cannot post the exact edit on the forum because it would require the sharing of copyrighted files, although my playlist attempts to mimic his album without edits and using the cues he used simply as they are released.

[Holko 9,491]

3 hours ago, Bofur01 said:

Hey Holko, could you link your playlist here too?

Oof. More of an edit than a playlist, but here we go:

 

 

Overture: The Mandalorian(orchestral)

Preparations: Face to Face (trimmed)+Back for Beskar (first half) + HammerTime

The Job: You Are A Mandalorian (until it dies down) + The Asset

The Old Gang: Hyperspace (first half) + The Gang

Little Mousey: Little Mousey

Training the Villagers: Ponds of Sorgan, until it would start up, then Training the Plebs

Kuiil and IG: Trashed Crest + Reprogram + Kuiil

Signet Forging: Mandalore Way (trimmed) + Signet Forging

Sandcrawler: Jawas Attack

The Next Journey: The Next Journey

Standoff: Ewebb (sic)

Sacrifice: Mando Flies + Sacrifice

The Baby: Bright Eyes (trimmed?) + Can I Feed Him?

A Warrior: A Warrior's Death + Clan of Two

Speederbikes: Speederbikes + Night Riders + Farewell

Memories: A Throusand Tears

Finale: The Baby

The Mandalorian: The Mandalorian

 

Bit too heavy on ep8 but what I tried to do with it (like showing developments of the more main motifs more in the beginning, middle and end, filling the inbetweens with more diverse material), I kinda succeeded, I liked it on its 3 trial runs and Jerry seemed to pretend to like it when we listened together, too!

[Jay 37,266]

I applaud you both for continuing to provide cool information and make cool edits and playlists.  Bravo!

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

On January 7, 2020 at 1:18 PM, Holko said:

Bit too heavy on ep8 but what I tried to do with it (like showing developments of the more main motifs more in the beginning, middle and end, filling the inbetweens with more diverse material), I kinda succeeded, I liked it on its 3 trial runs and Jerry seemed to pretend to like it when we listened together, too!

Haha, I continue to praise you for your work with the editing, which showed both considerable thought and effort in order to achieve coherence. I've listened to it a three times since and it's a very well done edit. Thanks Holko!

 

Also, I've been pretty busy lately but I should have some free time this weekend to possibly buckle down and tackle the whole series track for track. I'll see how far I get and keep everyone updated on my findings!

[Disco Stu 15,495]

On 1/7/2020 at 9:38 AM, Jay said:

BTW, what happened to the cool series of posts where people were describing all the themes and what tracks they appear in?

 

Part of this is that as we got further into the series, it became clearer that Goransson wasn't really applying recurring melodies in much of a representational manner.  There are a few (like his Jawa motif), but they mostly seem to be just moods he can tap into.  They might be broadly associated with a particular location, but aren't meant to represent that location.

 

Like one Jerry, Holko, and I had tentatively identified as being a melody for the Mandalorian culture, I've decided is really just a motif he uses when a scene on the bounty hunter planet calls for intense and mysterious atmosphere.

 

I'll let the other close listeners chime in if they agree or disagree @The Illustrious Jerry @Holko

[Holko 9,491]

We certainly won't be collaborating with Doug on a book on his impeccably precise use of leitmotif, that's for damn sure.

 

I still love how the flashbacks develop (HammerTime, Signet Forging, Thousand Tears) or how he threw in a brand new and well-developed motif for the reprogrammed IG-11 for the last 2 episodes!

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

On 08/01/2020 at 12:35 PM, Disco Stu said:

I'll let the other close listeners chime in if they agree or disagree @The Illustrious Jerry @Holko

I agree there. Going down the list, very few of the themes consistently underscore characters or ideas on a recurring basis throughout the whole series.

 

Let's take a look at some that aren't really held down by any on-screen connections:

 

Recorder Riff 

There was never any really leitmotific association with this theme. I feel like it's main role is to capture the musical aura of the series as a whole. Plus, I'm fairly convinced that both the flashback sequences and some of the blurg scenes provide major variation on this, making it even more broad.

 

Main Fanfare 

Once again there's no need for any other association- it's simply the main theme, and can be used for anything from riding blurgs to soaring through space.

 

"Razor Crest" 

Used most often in relation to scenes involving Mando's ship, the Razor Crest, although Chapter 4 broke the barriers right from the start, opening the village prologue with the theme on acoustic guitar, and no ship present whatsoever.

 

"Travelling" Motif 

Another very loosely used motif. Initially used in the first three episodes for "travelling" scenes (i.e. Mando walking through the street in Episode 1, Mando and Baby Yoda walking through desert in Episode 2, Mando landing on Navarro in Episode 3). However, it reappeared in the last episode as part of the big emotional finale, when Mando and Baby Yoda leave Navarro. 

 

Then there are a few that play by the rules a bit more:

 

The Client 

As far as I can recall, this plays exclusively in scenes involving Werner Herzog's character, appearing in Chapters 1, 3, and 7.

 

Jawa Motif 

Definitely to be associated with the jawas in Chapter 2, although @Holko pointed out that the rhythm reappears in Chapter 5's Speederbikes.  

 

The Child 

The guitar line appears first in Chapter 1's The Asset, and also plays in Chapter 3 with a beautiful oboe counterpoint. Both scenes are focused on our dear friend Baby Yoda. My memory isn't the greatest on where else it appears, but as far as I can recall the relation is clear.

 

Raiders

Exclusive to Chapter 4, particularly scenes with the raiders and villagers. More of a theme for the episode as a whole than anything else.

 

IG's Theme

Heard in the final two chapters and only used in relation to IG as a reprogrammed nurse droid. It plays under his "training" montage, his rampage on Navarro and his final sacrifice.

 

Moff Gideon's Theme

Also heard in the final two chapters and used for Moff Gideon's character, but for his stormtroopers as well it would seem. Notable moment is when it plays under the shot of the flametrooper in Chapter 8.

 

As for Mandalorian Culture, I concur with @Disco Stu. Goransson uses it more as a utility for scenes that call for something dramatic.

 

Man, I love this score but analyzing it is no piece of cake. 

 

[Jay 37,266]

Thanks, that is wonderful!

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

On January 8, 2020 at 12:35 PM, Disco Stu said:

Like one Jerry, Holko, and I had tentatively identified as being a melody for the Mandalorian culture, I've decided is really just a motif he uses when a scene on the bounty hunter planet calls for intense and mysterious atmosphere. 

Just made an interesting discovery- while we may have lost the trail on the Mandalorian culture theme a bit, the high strings that play counterpoint to it in the track Back for Beskar (Episode 1) reappear multiple times completely separate from the previously-dubbed Mando culture theme, notably at the beginning of Celebration (Episode 2) and in Mando Rescue (Episode 3). I'm sure there are more examples elsewhere, but this revelation was very interesting for me. 

 

Also, I'd spitballed around with @Holko as to what the music that plays mostly on Kuill's planet could be (Blurgg Attack, You Are a Mandalorian) and it turns out it's basically a very skeletal variation of the recorder riff. 

 

Anyways, if you haven't already guessed by these last two posts, I have started to sit down and analyze episode-for-episode, track-for-track. I'll start posting tomorrow.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

A Thematic Breakdown of:

THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON ONE

Music composed by Ludwig Goransson

Part 1 of 4

 

Themes in Chapters 1 & 2 (in order of appearance)

Recorder Riff (original presentation)

"Western" Motif

"Travelling" Motif

The Client

* Mando Utility Motif (recently discovered)

* Dramatic Utility Motif (previously known as Mando Culture)

"Forge" Motif

Recorder Riff (skeletal presentation)

Chime Motif

Dies Irae (traditional)

The Child

Razor Crest

Jawa Motif

 

* - utility refers to the fact that Goransson uses the theme(s) whenever he needs to without leitmotific significance

 

CHAPTER 1

1. Hey Mando! (2:14)

0:00  Recorder Riff

0:23  Recorder Riff (increasing distortion)

1:42  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

1:48  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:55  Western Motif (piano)

2:01  Western Motif (piano)

 

2. Face to Face (5:13)

0:00  Travelling Motif

0:42  Recorder Riff (variation)

1:06  Travelling Motif

         Recorder Riff (variation)

2:45  The Client

3:22  Recorder Riff (variation)

 

3. Back for Beskar (2:26)

0:00  Western Motif (piano)

0:07  Western Motif (piano)

0:15  Western Motif (piano)

0:23  Western Motif (piano)

0:32  Mando Utility Theme  (high strings)

0:46  Dramatic Utility Theme 

         Mando Utility Theme (high strings)

1:02  Dramatic Utility Theme 

         Mando Utility Theme

1:16  Dramatic Utility Theme

         Mando Utility Theme

1:55  Mando Utility Theme

 

4. HammerTime (2:18)

0:15  Forge Motif

0:27  Forge Motif 

0:46  Recorder Riff (orchestral variation)

1:18  Forge Motif

 

5. Blurg Attack (1:26)

0:17  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:29  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:57  Chime Motif

         Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:05  Fanfare

 

6. You Are a Mandalorian (3:56)

0:34  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:46  Recorder Riff 

1:56  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

2:11  Fanfare

2:42  Recorder Riff

2:53  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

3:04  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

3:26  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

3:37  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

 

7. Bounty Droid (3:03)

1:23-1:55  Dies Irae (traditional)

 

8. The Asset (1:36)

0:55  The Child

1:23  Recorder Riff

 

9. The Mandalorian (3:19)

0:00  Recorder Riff

0:23  Recorder Riff (increasing distortion)

0:46  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

0:52  Western Motif (piano)

0:58  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:04  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:09  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

         Fanfare

1:15  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:21  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:26  Recorder Riff

         Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

1:32  Recorder Riff

         Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

1:39  Fanfare

         Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

1:44  Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

1:50  Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

2:09  Razor Crest

2:20  Razor Crest

2:33  Recorder Riff 

         Western Motif (interlude)

2:38  Recorder Riff 

         Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

2:45  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

         Western Motif (triangle [?] w/ interlude)

2:51  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

2:56  Chime Motif

 

CHAPTER 2: THE CHILD

1. Walking on Mud (1:39)

0:15  Recorder Riff

0:45  Recorder Riff (increasing distortion)

1:18  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

1:23  Western Motif (piano)

 

2. Jawas Attack (3:47)

0:00  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:03  Travelling Motif 

0:20  Travelling Motif

0:32  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:40  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm) 

0:47  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:54  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:58  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

1:12  Jawa Motif

1:20  Jawa Motif 

1:27  Jawa Motif

1:34  Jawa Motif

1:39  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

1:53  Jawa Motif

2:01  Jawa Motif 

2:08  Jawa Motif

2:22  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

3:12  Jawa Motif

3:20  Jawa Motif

3:35  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

 

3. Trashed Crest (2:19)

0:06  Recorder Riff

0:38  Fanfare (variation)

1:24  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:34  Fanfare

2:03  Recorder Riff

 

4. To the Jawas (1:36)

0:00  Chime Motif

0:12  Recorder Riff

0:21  Fanfare

0:37  Jawa Motif

0:48  Jawa Motif

0:54  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:56  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

         Western Motif (interlude)

1:02  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

         Western Motif (interlude)

1:08  Recorder Riff

1:19  Recorder Riff

 

5. The Egg (2:55)

0:00  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:17  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:26  Jawa Motif 

0:34  Jawa Motif 

0:40  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

1:00  Recorder Riff

1:17  Recorder Riff

2:22  (see 4:30 The Hangar - Chapter 5, 2:16 Nice Family & 2:05 Mando's Back - Chapter 6)

 

6. The Mudhorn (3:01)

2:11  The Child

2:34  Recorder Riff 

 

7. Celebration (3:32)

0:01  Mando Utility Theme (orchestral)

0:13  Mando Utility Theme (orchestral)

0:23  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:30  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm)

0:49  Jawa Motif 

1:09  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:14  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:23  Fanfare

2:07  Jawa Motif (underlying rhythm) (percussion)

2:23  Recorder Riff

2:48  Fanfare

 

8. The Next Journey (2:36)

0:00  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:12  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:23  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:35  Western Motif (piano)

0:44  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

0:49  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

0:55  Western Motif (piano)

1:01  Fanfare

1:22  Razor Crest

1:33  Razor Crest

1:47  Recorder Riff (variation)

1:58  Chime Motif 

2:14  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

 

I'm working on Part 2 (Chapters 3,4) as you read this. Any cross-referencing would be great as I am only one person and could've easily missed or misinterpreted the music at times. It takes a good deal of time, but it has been a lot of fun revisiting the albums in order so I'm happy to do it. 

 

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

Excellent job, gentlemen. My goodness. I admire all the effort going behind this. 

[CGCJ 392]

Here's some cue titles from the SABAM repertoire.

 

Spoiler

Star Wars Logo (00:15)

The Mandalorian - Joseph Shirley

 

Chapter 1
Hey Mando! A (01:48)
Open the Hatch (01:32) - Joseph Shirley    
Have to Use the Vacutube (01:51) - Joseph Shirley
Cantina Source (02:07) - Joseph Shirley
Face to Face (05:11)
The Mandalorians (02:24)
Hammertime (01:23)
Blurrg Attack (01:22)
You Are a Mandalorian (03:42)
Bounty Droid (03:00)
The Asset (01:31)

 

The Child
101 Recap (00:50)
Walking On Mud (01:07)
Jawas Attack (03:43)
Trashed Razor Crest (02:13) - Joseph Shirley
To the Jawas (01:33)
The Egg (00:51)
Enter the Cave (04:12)
Wounded (00:51)
Asset Magic (00:43)
Found the Egg (01:21)
Yolk Party (01:56) - Joseph Shirley
The Next Journey (02:33)

 

The Sin
102 Recap (01:08)
Mandalore Way (03:16)
Signet Forging (01:58)
Mando's Back (00:56) - Also listed for Episode 6 05:45.
Second Thoughts (03:29)
Whistling Birds (02:27)
Your Only Hope (02:40)
Mando Rescue (02:08)
I Need One of Those (01:32)

 

Sanctuary

103 Recap (00:59)
Hail Mary (02:43)
Skughole Arrival (01:58)
Folk Bar Source (01:40) - Joseph Shirley
Keep An Eye On the Asset (00:42) - Joseph Shirley
Please Come In (01:00)
Can I Feed him? (03:49)
Orc Attack (02:18)
AT-ST Battle (05:06)
Fits Right In (00:58)
Leaving Him Here (00:45)
They'll Keep Coming (02:16)
Mando Says Goodbye (01:16) - Joseph Shirley

 

The Gunslinger
105 Recap (00:44)
Warm or Cold (00:05)
Dead Heads (00:38)
Bright Eyes (01:36)
Stuck With Me Now (02:24) - Joseph Shirley
Not Too Shabby (01:17)
Tuscan Raiders (01:10)
Desert Raiders (00:55)
Just Another Dead Bounty Hunter (00:44)
First Watch (00:25)
Night Riders (03:30)
Dead Man (04:33)
Where's My Bike (01:27)
Be Careful With Him (02:06)

 

The Prisoner
106 Recap (00:22)
So This is a Mandalorian (01:41)
Ghost Ship (01:55)
Greatest Warriors in the Galaxy (01:27)
Let's Just Do This Job (01:18)
What is That? (00:40)
Hyperspace (02:47)
Little Mousey (02:51)
Tracking Beacon (02:56)
Shut Up (00:51)
My Savior (01:03)
On the Move (01:19)
Nice Family (02:19)
Mando's Back (05:45)
They Got What They Deserved (01:31)

No Questions (02:43)
That Was a Bad Idea (00:50)

 

[Holko 9,491]

Great work so far, @The Illustrious Jerry, I wouldn't have gotten through all this. (Maybe doing that bloody Chamber of Secrets thing has put me off from this kind of stuff for life, and there I had all the themes practically spelled out for me!)

 

I did not even notice the travelling motif so far!

 

Couple notes:

12 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

2:09  Razor Crest

2:20  Razor Crest

You did mark Fanfare only once for each full statement (AB A'B' D E), I'd say this is a full statement of Razor Crest, first part falling down, second part flying away at the end (ABCD ABCE)

 

12 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

4. HammerTime (2:18)

0:15  Forge Motif

0:27  Forge Motif 

0:46  Recorder Riff (orchestral variation)

1:18  Forge Motif

I'm somewhat missing the fluttering synth at 1:24, used multiple times, almost overwhelmingly for space travel cutaways (unlike at 1:20 in The Mudhorn), but more so the rythm at 1:45 which reprises 1:01 of Back for Beskar and will pop up in the future. One's more of a texture and one's a rythm, so their motif status can be disputed of course.

 

The small figure and snooping in the dark stuff at 2:22 of The Egg will also return if I remember correctly.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

5 hours ago, Holko said:

Great work so far, @The Illustrious Jerry, I wouldn't have gotten through all this. (Maybe doing that bloody Chamber of Secrets thing has put me off from this kind of stuff for life, and there I had all the themes practically spelled out for me!)

 

I did not even notice the travelling motif so far!

Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement from both yourself and @Cerebral Cortex! I was speculating if this would be worth the effort, and I decided that the score is very thematically rich and enough people care about it that an analysis could prove interesting/helpful to listeners. 

 

The travelling motif is quite an neat little theme. We don't hear it so much in later episodes, but it's one of the last things we hear in Season One, a very emotionally climactic final rendition. It's quite prominent in different environments at least once in each of the first three episodes, the first being more subdued, the second having some major Vangelis vibes, and the third really sounding like Kylo Ren's theme. 

 

5 hours ago, Holko said:

Couple notes:

You did mark Fanfare only once for each full statement (AB A'B' D E), I'd say this is a full statement of Razor Crest, first part falling down, second part flying away at the end (ABCD ABCE)

 

I'm somewhat missing the fluttering synth at 1:24, used multiple times, almost overwhelmingly for space travel cutaways (unlike at 1:20 in The Mudhorn), but more so the rythm at 1:45 which reprises 1:01 of Back for Beskar and will pop up in the future. One's more of a texture and one's a rythm, so their motif status can be disputed of course.

 

The small figure and snooping in the dark stuff at 2:22 of The Egg will also return if I remember correctly.

In response to note no. 1, that is a fair assessment so I'll change that today and double back on the other statements to make sure I'm consistent.

 

In response to note no. 2, those recurring synth moments are what I'd call disputed territory because they certainly appear a lot but they don't really have any solid foundational grounds to be themes or motifs. I'd consider noting the first one you mentioned, but the rhythm in Back for Beskar already plays under two other themes in that instance (!) so it can get kind of messy when looking for it. In part I'm also hesitant because it's just one more thing to listen for LOL. 

 

In response to note no. 3, I recalled hearing that in another episode but I couldn't remember which one or if it made it to the mini OST so I didn't jump on it just yet. When I get to it I will make a small note of it, but again it's not really a theme or motif, it's just a recurring idea. Super cool part though- well spotted in the episode and a neat texture to it. 

 

Also, I'd almost forgotten about the Dies Irae in Bounty Droid. 

[MedigoScan 324]

 

Quote

Here's some cue titles from the SABAM repertoire.

 

 

Interesting how this seems to go by the in-episode music, seeing as how 'Warm or Cold' is only 5 seconds long (like how it was in the episode: 95 % muted for no good reason)

[CGCJ 392]

On 12/01/2020 at 3:49 PM, MedigoScan said:

Interesting how this seems to go by the in-episode music, seeing as how 'Warm or Cold' is only 5 seconds long (like how it was in the episode: 95 % muted for no good reason)

That's just how the repertoires work, I'm almost certain they get their cue info from the cue sheets, as the timings always match the final edits. (Even when it's known that a cue is in-fact longer)

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Just finished revising part 2 of the track-for-track breakdown, which includes Chapters 3 and 4. Made some very interesting discoveries, most notably in Chapter 4, which believe it or not got pretty muddy for my ears in terms of trying to listen for certain parts (not a comment on the sound quality but how Goransson weaves and layers his themes- it's frustratingly awesome!). It'd seem as though there is a minor woodwind theme for the villagers (opening of Can I Feed Him?), the obvious main theme of the episode for, I guess, the raiders, a sort of pre-chorus to the main raiders theme, and another section that goes along with that too. 

 

Unfortunately I need to hit the hay for tonight so I'll not be posting everything right now, but I'll get around to it as soon as I can tomorrow. 

 

Once again thanks for the appreciative/enoucraging comments/feedback! It means a lot!

[DominicCobb 194]

I tend to feel like what you're calling the Recorder Riff, Main Fanfare, Razor Crest, and Western Motifs (and perhaps the Chime Motif as well) are all just collectively components of what I've been considering The Mandalorian theme, much like how something like Rey's theme has four distinct parts. Notably right from the first episode you see Ludwig working all of these motifs together in the closing credits. In this case something like the Razor Crest motif being used for something other than the Razor Crest isn't incongruous because that motif is really just the B theme of the main theme.

 

The other motif that I feel like you're missing - unless I missed something or this is just a varied rendition of something else - is the one right at the start of this:

 

 

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

0:00 of The Mandalorian (Orchestral Version) is a string rendition of the "skeleton" of what I've been calling Recorder Riff. 

 

Also @DominicCobb that is a fair assessment. Naturally, for all intensive purposes I will retain the names that I've been using throughout the rest of the analysis. 

 

 

[DominicCobb 194]

6 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

0:00 of The Mandalorian (Orchestral Version) is a string rendition of the "skeleton" of what I've been calling Recorder Riff. 

 

Interesting. I do hear the connection (especially on a track like "The Baby" where one flows into the other). Goransson seems fond of doing these sorts of deconstructed variations.

 

Quote

Also @DominicCobb that is a fair assessment. Naturally, for all intensive purposes I will retain the names that I've been using throughout the rest of the analysis. 

 

Yeah, definitely fair enough. It's a lot easier to keep track if they all have different names anyway.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

A Thematic Breakdown of:

THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON ONE

Music composed by Ludwig Goransson

Part 2 of 4

 

Themes in Chapters 3 & 4 (in order of appearance)

The Child

"Travelling" Motif

The Client

Recorder Riff (original presentation)

"Western" Motif

* Dramatic Utility Motif (previously known as Mando Culture)

* Mando Utility Motif (recently discovered)

"Forge" Motif

Fanfare

Recorder Riff (skeletal presentation)

Razor Crest

Villagers Motif

Raiders Pre-Theme (?)

Raiders Main Theme

Raiders B Section (?)

 

* - utility refers to the fact that Goransson uses the theme(s) whenever he needs to without leitmotific significance

 

CHAPTER 3: THE SIN

1. A New Day (5:31)

0:03  The Child

0:16  The Child

0:28  The Child (w/ oboe counterpoint)

0:57  Travelling Motif

3:00  The Client

3:53  Recorder Riff (variation)

5:12  Western Motif (brass)

5:19  Western Motif (brass w/ piano interlude)

 

2. Mandalore Way (3:22)

0:00  Dramatic Utility Theme

0:15  Dramatic Utility Theme

0:30  Dramatic Utility Theme

         Mando Utility Theme

0:45  Dramatic Utility Theme

         Mando Utility Theme

1:00  Dramatic Utility Theme

         Mando Utility Theme

1:52  Mando Utility Theme (high strings)

2:26  Mando Utility Theme

2:46  Recorder Riff

 

3. Signet Forging (2:03)

0:07  Forge Motif

0:21  Forge Motif

0:36  Forge Motif

0:52  Recorder Riff (orchestral variation)

1:21  Recorder Riff (orchestral variation)

1:32  Recorder Riff (brass variation)

 

4. Second Thoughts (4:20)

1:24  Mando Utility Theme

         Dramatic Utility Theme

1:41  Recorder Riff

         Mando Utility Theme (high strings)

1:56  Mando Utility Theme (high strings)

2:55  Dramatic Utility Theme

3:05  Dramatic Utility Theme (opening)

3:20  Dramatic Utility Theme (opening)

3:50  Mando Utility Theme (high strings)

 

5. Whistling Birds (2:23)

0:00  Mando Utility Theme

0:12  Mando Utility Theme

         Dramatic Utility Theme

0:52  Mando Utility Theme

1:06  Mando Utility Theme

 

6. Mando Rescue (2:15)

0:03  The Child

0:25  Mando Utility Theme

0:44  Mando Utility Theme

1:03  Forge Motif

1:08  Forge Motif

1:13  Recorder Riff (brass variation)

1:22  Forge Motif

1:25  Recorder Riff (brass variation)

 

7. I Need One Of Those (1:35)

0:02  Recorder Riff

0:08  Razor Crest (variation)

0:24  Western Motif (interlude)

0:30  Western Motif (interlude)

0:33  Western Motif (piano)

0:43  Fanfare (variation)

1:21  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:25  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

 

CHAPTER 4: SANCTUARY

1. The Ponds of Sorgan (3:10)

0:11  Razor Crest (acoustic guitar variation) (first half)

0:22  Villagers Motif (variation)

0:26  Razor Crest (acoustic guitar variation) (second half)

0:42  Villagers Motif (acoustic guitar variation)

0:49  Villagers Motif

0:56  Villagers Motif

1:35  Raiders Pre-Theme

1:46  Raiders Pre-Theme

1:57  Raiders Theme 

2:17  Raiders Theme

2:27  Raiders B Section

2:38  Raiders Pre-Theme (variation) (second half)

2:44  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

2:49  Western Motif (piano)

 

2. Off the Grid (1:48)

0:20  Fanfare (variation)

1:15  Recorder Riff (interweaving)

1:19  Razor Crest (interweaving)

 

3. Can I Feed Him? (3:35)

0:00  Villagers Motif

0:07  Villagers Motif

0:15  Villagers Motif

0:41  Razor Crest

0:53  Villagers Motif

1:26  Mando Utility Theme

1:42  Mando Utility Theme

1:56  Recorder Riff

2:19  Recorder Riff

3:01  Recorder Riff (partial)

 

4. Training the Plebs (3:11)

0:01  Raiders Theme (first half)

0:07  Raiders Theme

0:18  Raiders Pre-Theme

0:31  Raiders Pre-Theme (first half)

0:50  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:56  Western Motif (piano)

1:02  Western Motif (piano)

         Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:11  Raiders Theme (skeletal variation)

1:23  Raiders Theme (skeletal variation)

1:33  Raiders Theme 

1:50  Raiders B Section

2:02  Raiders B Section

2:16  Raiders Theme

2:39  Raiders Theme (first half)

 

5. Camp Attack (2:23)

No thematic material present

 

6. Spirit of the Woods (5:11)

0:00  Raiders Pre-Theme (variation) (second half)

1:20  Raiders Pre-Theme (variation) (second half)

2:16  Raiders Theme (skeletal variation)

2:37  Raiders Pre-Theme

2:52  Raiders Pre-Theme

3:30  Raiders Pre-Theme

3:40  Raiders Pre-Theme

3:52  Raiders Pre-Theme (second half)

3:54  Raiders Pre-Theme (second half)

3:57  Raiders Pre-Theme (second half)

4:18  Fanfare (variation)

 

7. Stay (2:22)

1:41  Raiders Pre-Theme (variation) (first half)

 

8. Mando Says Goodbye (1:21)

0:00  Villagers Motif

0:07  Villagers Motif

0:15  Villagers Motif

0:35  Razor Crest

0:52  Razor Crest (variation) (second half)

 

Chapters 3 and 4 were certainly interesting to analyze. As you can see, it's either very thematically busy or there's not much going on at all. Please note that in the case of Chapter 4 in particular there was much difficulty finding the beginning and end of statements. I feel that many of the time stamps and prompts are still a bit dodgy, so once again cross referencing is appreciated as am I only one person and could easily have mistaken a time or theme, or perhaps missed one altogether. 

 

As always thanks for the feedback and encouraging comments! It means a lot! I hope to get to Chapters 5 and 6 as soon as possible, but bear in mind that I completed the first two parts over the weekend and will likely not be able to crunch this out as quickly as I did before given the general busyness of midweek. 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

A Thematic Breakdown of:

THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON ONE

Music composed by Ludwig Goransson

Part 3 of 4

 

Themes in Chapters 5 & 6 (in order of appearance)

Fanfare

* Dramatic Utility Motif

Razor Crest

Western Motif

Jawa Motif

Speederbikes A & B

Recorder Riff

The Child 

Gang Theme

String Idea A - Jagged Violin

String Idea B - Delicate Violin

Toccata and Fugue (BVW 565 - Johann Sebastian Bach) (borrowed)

 

* - utility refers to the fact that Goransson uses the theme(s) whenever he needs to without leitmotific significance

 

CHAPTER 5: THE GUNSLINGER

1. Warm or Cold (1:40)

0:11  Fanfare (partial variation)

0:28  Fanfare

0:45  Dramatic Utility Motif

0:56  Dramatic Utility Motif (variation)

1:14  Razor Crest

1:25  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

1:31  Western Motif (piano)

 

2. Bright Eyes (1:41)

No thematic material present.

 

3. Stuck with Me Now (2:27)

No thematic material present. 

 

4. Speederbikes (1:22)

0:11  Jawa Motif (rhythm)

0:18  Speederbikes A

0:34  Speederbikes A

0:40  Speederbikes (guitar variation)

         Jawa Motif (rhythm)

0:55  Speederbikes A

 

5. Raiders (1:21)

0:02  Fanfare (ascending closing figure)

0:12  Fanfare (ascending closing figure)

 

6. Night Riders (3:30)

0:00  Jawa Motif (rhythm)

0:14  Speederbikes A

0:16  Speederbikes A

0:21  Speederbikes A

0:52  Jawa Motif (rhythm)

1:00  Speederbikes A

1:06  Speederbikes A

1:17  Speederbikes A

1:21  Speederbikes A

1:24  Speederbikes B

3:06  Speederbikes B

 

7. The Hangar (6:07)

0:00  Speederbikes B

0:06  Fanfare (descending closing figure)

0:09  Speederbikes B (variation)

0:23  Speederbikes B

0:26  Speederbikes B

0:30  Speederbikes B

3:41  Western Motif (piano)

3:54  Western Motif (piano w/ interlude)

         Recorder Riff

4:00  Western Motif (strings w/ interlude)

4:06  Western Motif (strings)

4:30  (see 2:23 of The Egg from Chapter 2)

 

8. Farewell (2:10)

0:00  The Child (opening) (orchestral variation)

0:08  The Child (orchestral variation)

0:35  The Child (orchestral variation)

1:11  Fanfare (variation)

1:34  Recorder Riff (brass variation)

 

CHAPTER 6: THE PRISONER

1. Welcome Back (3:50)

0:22  Recorder Riff

0:46  Dramatic Utility Motif

0:52  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

0:59  String Idea B - Delicate Violin

1:55  Gang Theme 

2:03  Gang Theme

 

2. The Gang (2:07)

0:36  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

1:42  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

1:47  Western Motif (piano)

 

3. Greatest Warriors in the Galaxy (1:30)

0:00  Recorder Riff (variation)

0:23  Recorder Riff (variation)

0:46-1:08  Recorder Riff (partial variation) (repeating)

 

4. Let's Just Do It (1:23)

0:00  String Idea B - Delicate Violin (partial variation)

0:15  String Idea B - Delicate Violin

 

5. Hyperspace (2:51)

0:05  Gang Theme

0:11  Gang Theme

0:18  Gang Theme
0:24  Gang Theme

0:56  Recorder Riff (orchestral variation)

2:09  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

 

6. Little Mousey (2:55)

0:00-0:38  Toccata and Fugue

 

7. Tracking Beacon (2:59)

1:15-2:11  Toccata and Fugue (variation)

2:17  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

2:48  Fanfare (ascending closing figure)

 

8. My Saviour (1:08)

0:15-0:45  Toccata and Fugue (variation)

0:46  Toccata and Fugue (variation)

 

9. Mando on the Move (1:14)

0:00  Recorder Riff (variation)

0:27-0:48  Recorder Riff (partial variation) (repeating)

0:51  Recorder Riff (variation)

 

10. Nice Family (2:26)

0:09  Gang Theme

0:15  Gang Theme

0:20  Gang Theme

0:26  Gang Theme

0:31  Gang Theme

1:03  Toccata and Fugue

1:13  Toccata and Fugue

1:22  Toccata and Fugue

1:31  Toccata and Fugue

1:48  Toccata and Fugue

2:16  (see 2:23 of The Egg from Chapter 2)

 

11. Mando's Back (7:16)

0:46  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

1:09-1:22  Toccata and Fugue

1:24-1:41  Toccata and Fugue

2:05  (see 2:23 of The Egg from Chapter 2)

3:33  String Idea A - Jagged Violin

5:55  Recorder Riff

6:19  Recorder Riff

7:01  Jawa Motif (rhythm)

 

And there it is. Chapters 5 and 6 proved quite bothersome (in the best of ways, naturally) for a number of reasons. Again, thematic occurrences are sparse and often non-present, but when they do appear they are at their most tangled and tricky to decipher, with massive variation and heavy layering. All the same, this complexity is a testament to the engineering of Goransson's music, especially the mixing between orchestral and electronic textures. I'm most confident that this third part of my analysis is not entirely correct (even after multiple close listens I find myself questioning), so if you have the time and passion to scrutinize the score yourself it wouldn't hurt to cross-examine. 

 

Thanks again for the encouragement as I head into Part Four (cue triumphant rendition of Razor Crest)! Just a disclaimer though: I likely won't get around to Chapters 7 and 8 for a little while as I've been incredibly busy getting through some family matters and such, so if I haven't posted it by tomorrow you can expect to wait until next weekend. 

 

[MedigoScan 324]

I think the Jagged Violin also makes an appearance in The Gang at 0:36 and Tracking Beacon at 2:17. I really liked the overall sound of this episode too.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

On January 18, 2020 at 8:04 PM, MedigoScan said:

I think the Jagged Violin also makes an appearance in The Gang at 0:36 and Tracking Beacon at 2:17. I really liked the overall sound of this episode too.

Thanks for that! I've updated the post with those two timestamps. Also updated the Part 1 post to make reference to the The Egg quotes in Chapters 5 and 6.

 

I, too, also enjoy the sound of the episode. It feels the most different of all eight, probably because it has the heaviest use of electronic and synth elements mixed in with very unique orchestral textures (mostly with the strings; the "jagged" violin, the beginning of Tracking Beacon, etc.). Goransson's perfect touch makes it all work in a way that's really easy to dig in to. 

[CGCJ 392]

Cue titles for the last two episodes - Again from the SABAM reptoire

 

Spoiler

The Reckoning
107 Recap (01:03)
Man of Honor (01:57)
Country Pub (00:49)
I'm In (00:48)
Return to Agnot (01:05) - Joseph Shirley
Tea Anyone? (02:34)
Quill (01:20)
Skill of Hands (01:06) - Joseph Shirley
Walking Through Navvaro (04:03)
Reptavian Attack (02:40) - Joseph Shirley
This Is It (03:48)
Gift for the Boss (02:36)
Moff Gideon (04:36)

 

Redemption
108 Recap (01:16)
Check Point (00:41)
Nurse Droid (00:52)
The Ewebb (04:41)
A Thousand Tears (04:10)
Nurse and Protect (03:58) - Joseph Shirley
A Warrior's Death (04:33)
What Remains in the Tunnels (03:08)
Clan of Two (03:30)
Be Safe on Your Journey (00:42)
Sacrifice (03:01)
Mando Flies (02:16)
Take Care (03:30)
Gideon's Return (00:52)

My attempt to sort the cue titles with the released music.

[MedigoScan 324]

Looks like a lot of tracks here were slightly shortened for the album release.

[SteveMc 2,674]

On 1/6/2020 at 9:15 PM, The Illustrious Jerry said:

@publicist 

 

Loosely based on a fan-made album with the exception of a few tracks and obviously edits. Should do the trick in terms of covering the highlights and spreading out material effectively, as if it were an actual album.

 

Finally got around to giving this playlist a proper listen.  Good work on it, Jerry.  Nice flow from track to track indeed.  

A lot to like in this general summary of the season's music.  Nothing that really thrills me, but more interesting than a lot of what's out there.

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

A Thematic Breakdown of:

THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON ONE

Music composed by Ludwig Goransson

Part 4 of 4

 

Themes in Chapters 7 & 8 (in order of appearance)

The Child

Travelling Motif

* Mando Utility Motif

Fanfare

Western Motif

IG Theme

Chime Motif

Recorder Riff

The Client

Moff Gideon A

Moff Gideon B

Razor Crest

Forge Motif

* Dramatic Utility Motif

 

* - utility refers to the fact that Goransson uses the theme(s) whenever he needs to without leitmotific significance

 

CHAPTER 7: THE RECKONING

1. Man of Honour (2:19)

0:03  The Child

0:15  The Child

0:28  The Child

         Travelling Motif (variation)

0:40  The Child

         Travelling Motif

1:34  The Child

1:46  Mando Utility Motif

1:53  Fanfare (ascending closing figure)

1:58  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

2:03  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

2:10  Western Motif (brass)

 

2. Reprogram (2:33)

0:00  IG Theme

0:41  IG Theme

0:53  IG Theme

1:04-1:34  Chime Motif

1:10-1:34  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

1:35  Chime Motif (strings)

1:47  IG Theme

1:59  IG Theme

2:11  IG Theme (partial variation)

 

3. Kuiil (1:23)

0:00  (see 0:07 of You Are a Mandalorian from Chapter 1)

0:40-0:52  Chime Motif

0:46-0:52  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:52  Fanfare

 

4. The Standoff (2:58)

0:00  Western Motif (piano w/ distorted guitar)

0:06  Western Motif (piano)

1:39  The Client

 

5. Black Skies (4:37)

0:38  Fanfare (ascending closing figure) (?)

1:44  Fanfare (partial variation)

1:55  The Child (second half)

2:13  The Child (second half)

2:39  (see 0:27 of You Are a Mandalorian from Chapter 1)

2:50  Recorder Riff (variation)

4:07  (see 2:23 of The Egg from Chapter 2)

 

6. This Is It (1:58)

0:00  Recorder Riff

0:23  Recorder Riff (partial)

0:46  Chime Motif

0:52  Fanfare

1:09  Recorder Riff (variation)

1:22  Recorder Riff (variation)

1:29  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

 

7. The Arrival (3:17)

0:09  Moff Gideon A

0:19  Moff Gideon A

0:42  Chime Motif

         Moff Gideon B

0:46  Moff Gideon B

0:54  Moff Gideon B

0:59  Moff Gideon B

1:04  Moff Gideon A

1:13  Moff Gideon A

1:24  Moff Gideon A

1:29  Moff Gideon A

1:37  Moff Gideon B

1:43  Moff Gideon B

1:48  Moff Gideon B

1:55  Moff Gideon A

2:07  Moff Gideon A (variation)

 

8. The Mandalorian (Orchestral Version) (2:21)

0:00  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:22  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

0:46  Fanfare

1:25  Razor Crest

1:52  Western Motif (string interlude)

1:56  Western Motif (strings w/ interlude)

2:01  Western Motif (strings w/ interlude)

         Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

2:08  Western Motif (strings/brass w/ interlude)

 

CHAPTER 8: REDEMPTION

1. Check Point (1:21)

0:23  Moff Gideon B (variation)

0:30  Moff GIdeon A

0:56  Moff Gideon A

 

2. Nurse Droid (1:08)

0:00  IG Theme

0:19  IG Theme (variation)

0:47  IG Theme

0:52  Western Motif (brass w/ distorted guitar)

0:57  Western Motif (brass)

 

3. The Ewebb (4:07)

0:19  Recorder Riff (variation)

0:27  Moff Gideon B

0:33  Moff Gideon B

0:39  Moff Gideon B

0:44  Moff Gideon B

1:00  Moff Gideon B

1:02  Moff Gideon B

1:04  Recorder Riff (variation)

1:09  Moff Gideon B

1:22  Moff Gideon A

1:59  Moff Gideon A

2:20  Moff Gideon A (variation)

2:52  Moff Gideon A (variation)

3:03  Moff Gideon A (variation)

 

4. A Thousand Tears (4:07)

0:51  Forge Motif

1:03  Forge Motif

1:14  Forge Motif

1:26  Forge Motif

2:11  Recorder Riff (variation)

2:40  Dramatic Utility Motif

         Mando Utility Motif

2:54  Dramatic Utility Motif

         Mando Utility Motif

3:07  Recorder Riff

 

5. Nurse and Protect (4:00)

0:13  IG Theme (variation)

0:38  IG Theme (variation)

0:47  IG Theme (variation)

0:59  IG Theme (variation)

1:37  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

1:43  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

1:50  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

1:56  Western Motif (brass)

2:06  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

2:13  Western Motif (brass w/ interlude)

2:18  Moff Gideon A

2:44  Moff Gideon A

2:50  Moff Gideon B

2:54  Moff Gideon A

2:59  Moff Gideon B

3:02  Moff Gideon A

3:08  Moff Gideon B

 

6. A Warrior's Death (3:07)

0:03  The Child (second half)

0:13  The Child (second half)

0:20  The Child (second half)

0:46  Mando Utility Motif

0:58  Moff Gideon A

1:42  Moff Gideon A (variation)

1:58  Travelling Motif

2:14  Travelling Motif (variation)

 

7. What Remains in the Tunnels (3:11)

0:37  Dramatic Utility Motif

2:11  Mando Utility Motif (high strings)

 

8. Clan of Two (3:33)

0:00  Dramatic Utility Motif

0:33  Dramatic Utility Motif

         Mando Utility Motif

1:05  Dramatic Utility Motif

         Mando Utility Motif

1:22  Dramatic Utility Motif

1:37  Dramatic Utility Motif

1:54  Mando Utility Motif (variation)

2:09  Dramatic Utility Motif 

2:44  IG Theme

3:02  IG Theme

 

9. Sacrifice (3:29)

0:58  Chime Motif 

         IG Theme (variation)

1:29  IG Theme (variation)

1:53  IG Theme (variation)

2:18  IG Theme

2:31  IG Theme

2:46  IG Theme

 

10. Mando Flies (2:04)

0:35  Moff Gideon A

0:45  Moff Gideon A

0:57  Moff Gideon A (background)

1:06  Moff Gideon B

1:11  Moff Gideon B

1:15  Moff Gideon A (background)

1:26  Moff Gideon A

1:39  Moff Gideon B

1:45  Moff Gideon B

1:49  Moff Gideon B

 

11. The Baby (3:21)

0:00  Recorder Riff

0:23  Recorder Riff

0:44 Travelling Motif

1:04  Travelling Motif

1:28  Travelling Motif (variation)

1:58  Chime Motif

2:09  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

2:32  Recorder Riff (skeletal variation)

2:55  Fanfare

 

And there it is! That concludes my track-for-track breakdown, but there may still be some analyzing left (I'll recap the catalogue of themes now that we've got them all down), just not too soon (if I had the time and the knowledge I'd love to record a podcast-style analysis in the future) . It's been a lot of fun diving deeper into this score, and while it was quite a mammoth undertaking it was a real blast from start to finish. I guess this means I'll be doing this again around the same time next year (cannot wait for Season 2!). Thanks for all the discussion, encouragement and appreciative comments, and genuine interest in the many mysteries hidden within Goransson's score!

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

As I revisit these mini-albums and rekindle my love for the score after an ever so slight listening hiatus, I've been thinking about recording a podcast-style analysis of the music of The Mandalorian. I'm not the most knowledgable when it comes to things of this nature, but I'm confident I could crank something out some time down the line. It'd be a good thing to keep me busy on the weekends (not that I need stuff to do, but at least this is fun!). 

 

Not sure if the interest is there, seeing as even I myself will likely become bored of my own voice, but my passion for Goransson's music runs through and through and I'd be pleased if this idea came to fruition. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[Pieter Boelen 740]

If it excites you, then go for it!

I might listen to it and get excited too.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

Any chance these scores get a physical release?  It's great having everything on Spotify but I'm old fashioned when it comes to collecting my scores.

[Jay 37,266]

Doesn't seem very likely.  Very little new film music from the 2020s (I know Mando started in 2019) will be pressed to physical CDs.  Just the way it is.

 

Vinyl is more likely that CDs, but since I doubt they'd press all 8 individual episode albums to vinyl, someone would have to arrange a highlights LP

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

You may have been wondering what your buddy Jerr has been doing since that analysis of The Mandalorian score. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the show and its score, and given the current circumstances it stands to reason that I have a tad more time on my hands than usual. As I await the Mando docuseries and sulk over the almost-certainly delayed release of Season 2, I've decided to start a personal project born out of my love for Goransson's work. 

 

It's obviously unfortunate that Mando has not and likely never will receive a physical release. Fortunately, it's a lot of fun to design, burn and construct your own personal CD set! I have not yet burned the music to the CDs, nor have I printed out the back covers (I have designed them though), but when I finished with the front covers I couldn't wait to share what I've been working on with the community. 

 

 

It's still a homemade "release", so it's not perfect. For example, you may have spotted the cardboard pieces behind the front covers that are holding them in place (repurposed Cheerios box). The only editing I had to do with the front covers was with the chapters. I decided two chapters to a disc was the best way to go (each CD about 42 minutes in length) and from there I simply listed both chapters and picked whichever artwork was my favourite between each pair (1,4,6 and 8 won out). For the back covers, which I will post when I'm done, I had to do those all from scratch. They're pretty good, and are a standard black with logo at top, track list and times in two columns, and total disc time at the bottom. 

 

As for the "podcast" idea I had, I have begun to write it, so we'll see if it takes off! Thanks for the feedback, discussion and support as always!

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Another little project during quarantine! 

 

I'm halfway through rewatching the series for the first time and I've been making note of unreleased music in relation to the fantastic cue list analysis posted by CGCJ just a few posts up the page. Here are a few descriptions of some of the unreleased music from Chapters 1-4, matched up with what I assume to be the correct cue title.

 

Chapter 1

Open the Hatch - Opens with some synth action before orchestra (primarily brass and strings) comes in. Plays as Mando and bounty escape the ice creature in the Razor Crest. Comes after Hey Mando! in sequence.

 

Have to Use the Vacutube - Mainly just the travelling motif in menacing mode, similar to the statement in Chapter 3's A New Day, when Mando flies into Navarro. Comes after Open the Hatch in sequence.

 

Chapter 2

There's a very short cue that opens with the woodwinds from the start of Jawas Attack and is overtaken by rising tension in the strings. It plays as Baby Yoda begins to approach Mando as he mends his wound. Comes after Walking on Mud in sequence. This moment doesn't have appear to have a cue equivalent in the GEMA repertoire, so it's possible it's made up of tracked elements. A bit of a puzzler.

 

Found the Egg - The eerie synth from The Egg, which also appears in Chapters 5,6, etc., plays when Mando goes to collect the mudhorn's egg. Comes after The Mudhorn in sequence. 

 

Chapter 3

Mando's Back - Either the music that plays when Mando walks into the bar with his new armour (short moment opens with distorted guitar wail and thumping percussion) or the music that plays when Mando first decides to go back for Baby Yoda (a really cool cue that riffs on the Child motif with guitar and then the the whole orchestra). It's possible that in the cue database the latter is included in the cue Second Thoughts even though it's not on the album that way. Either way I'm stumped, and this is the one cue I wish they could've tacked on to the Chapter 3 album. Comes after Signet Forging in sequence. 

 

Your Only Hope - Another neat cue that begins with low synth elements similar to those in Second Thoughts, before ramping things up with a brass statement of the recorder riff overtop of a hip-hop style beat. There's then an edited section that leads into Mando Rescue, which gets a little confusing. Comes after Whistling Birds in sequence. 

 

Chapter 4

Keep an Eye on the Asset - Building suspense in the strings as Mando tracks Cara's footprints. Comes after Off the Grid in sequence.

 

Please Come In - Razor Crest motif on acoustic guitar, as in The Ponds of Sorgan, but receives a stronger backing from the string section. Comes after Keep an Eye on the Asset in sequence. 

 

Fits Right In and Leaving Him Here - Two short cues, the first starting with that same Razor Crest motif on acoustic guitar, moving into the recorder riff on woodwinds (clarinets?), and then ominous music as we cut to the bounty hunter. Comes after Spirit of the Woods in sequence. 

 

That's the best that I can make out of these. There are also two source cues listed on GEMA for Chapter 1 and 4 but I can't really hear them in the show. 

[crocodile 7,977]

I managed to listen to your personal edit @Holko! More than once as well. It is actually a very well assembled album that could easily pass as a commercial CD. Some of these cues will be quite difficult to hear apart now (the training the villagers track comes to mind).  Obviously, I don't know all the details of these scores but it seems the majority of ideas are there. One thing I was missing is this little Star Trek-like transitional fanfare on muted brass but I can't find which cue it's from (or even which episode!). It was so old school and uber-cool little moment.

 

In any case, I kept your 79-minute album as a separate soundtrack album for the show on my player. Thank you for that.

 

Karol

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I've been listening to the finale mini-OST frequently.  I love the succession of cues for basically the whole siege of the cantina sequence: The Ewebb / A Thousand Tears / Nurse and Protect / A Warrior's Death.  Goransson knocked it out of the park!

 

 

Hey @The Illustrious Jerry we need to re-think calling the Travelling Motif that name, considering how important it becomes at the end of the series, essentially serving as the music for the emotional climaxes.  I don't really have any ideas for a new name though .

 

It's pretty incredible to compare its uses at the beginning of the series when it was played much "darker" to how its used in Chapter 8.  The only real hint we get early on at how it will be used later is in Chapter 2 in the transition from the campfire scene to Mando walking with The Child at sunrise in the cue "A New Day."  Because this is the beginning of his relationship with the Child starting to flower, and how it's used in Chapter 8, it almost seems like a theme he uses for their sorta father-son relationship.  But of course that doesn't really gibe with the darker uses of it early on.  I dunno!  But it's one of the highlights of Goransson's Mandalorian scores, that's what I do know!

 

For others' reference here are the climactic uses of this theme in Chapter 8

 

First when The Child reflects the flamethrower fire back on the storm trooper here:

(1:57 - 2:40)

 

Then at the end when Mando flies off with Child in tow

(0:44 - 1:58)

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

7 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

I've been listening to the finale mini-OST frequently.  I love the succession of cues for basically the whole siege of the cantina sequence: The Ewebb / A Thousand Tears / Nurse and Protect / A Warrior's Death.  Goransson knocked it out of the park!

Yes! I get chills when I hear the recorder theme on that kind of distorted wailing guitar in A Thousand Tears. One of many "home run" moments in that stretch!

 

7 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

Hey @The Illustrious Jerry we need to re-think calling the Travelling Motif that name, considering how important it becomes at the end of the series, essentially serving as the music for the emotional climaxes.  I don't really have any ideas for a new name though .

 

It's pretty incredible to compare its uses at the beginning of the series when it was played much "darker" to how its used in Chapter 8.  The only real hint we get early on at how it will be used later is in Chapter 2 in the transition from the campfire scene to Mando walking with The Child at sunrise in the cue "A New Day."  Because this is the beginning of his relationship with the Child starting to flower, and how it's used in Chapter 8, it almost seems like a theme he uses for their sorta father-son relationship.  But of course that doesn't really gibe with the darker uses of it early on.  I dunno!  But it's one of the highlights of Goransson's Mandalorian scores, that's what I do know!

You're absolutely right in regards to this unique scenario. While we did get off easy by dubbing those earlier frustrations of ours (two part Mando culture idea) as "utility" motifs, a similar title doesn't really apply here. 

 

I had also considered, like yourself, if it could represent the development of Mando's relationship with the child, and from a certain point of view (hehe) this could still hold up. The first time we hear it is in an unreleased cue in full menacing mode as Mando takes his quarry to Navarro, where he'll eventually receive his next job (wink, wink). Then again in, if I recall correctly, Face to Face, when the client discusses the asset with Mando. While these both occur before we've met our beloved baby Yoda, they could, in a thematic sense, foreshadow the reveal of his character and, more specifically, his yet-to-be relationship with Mando. 

 

We then hear it in Jawas Attack as a synth and brass blast while Mando and baby Yoda walk through the desert. The next time it appears is in A New Day, where it again appears in a darker form, possibly signifying the forthcoming trials born out of Mando delivering the asset to the client. This is where my memory goes a tad off, but if I recall correctly, the next time we hear it is in those two emotional climaxes that you've cited, which are rather self-explanatory. When viewed in this light, I'd wager that it could work as, say, a Mando & Child motif. 

 

For context, we had originally shot for "travelling" after the first three episodes because that was the best connection we could make between the above dots. Now with the knowledge of the final two statements and the character development in the show, a more apt notation can be assigned. 

 

I'll be sure to update the analysis if you agree that this change is fitting. Thanks for sparking the discussion! 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

The Rotten Tomatoes page for The Mandalorian Gallery already has the topics of the next three episodes up, and yes, we will be getting an episode entirely devoted to Göransson's score! The episode, the seventh in the docuseries, will be available to stream on Disney+ on June 12.

 

Description: 

Quote

We meet Ludwig Göransson inside his studio where he details how The Mandalorian's musical themes were written. We then journey to the scoring stage to witness the live orchestra recording session.

 

Thus far the Gallery's approach hasn't quite been what we had hoped for, but fingers crossed that this upcoming episode really delves deep into this fascinating musical world. Please note that I will update the analysis should any themes be named by the composer himself (unless of course we disagree, which we can talk about if we get to that point ).

[Holko 9,491]

"John Williams created an incredible body of work, and moving away ftom it was an interesting but hard decision, but still we hope we lived up to his legacy."

Roll credits

 

 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Maybe it'll be a half hour of Ludwig jamming on recorder in the woods!

[Faleel 5,326]

On 5/29/2020 at 9:24 PM, The Illustrious Jerry said:

The Rotten Tomatoes page for The Mandalorian Gallery already has the topics of the next three episodes up, and yes, we will be getting an episode entirely devoted to Göransson's score! The episode, the seventh in the docuseries, will be available to stream on Disney+ on June 12.

 

Description: 

 

Thus far the Gallery's approach hasn't quite been what we had hoped for, but fingers crossed that this upcoming episode really delves deep into this fascinating musical world. Please note that I will update the analysis should any themes be named by the composer himself (unless of course we disagree, which we can talk about if we get to that point ).

It's up.

[Fabulin 3,506]

I've just watched the beginning of the first episode, and all was good until the Mandalorian walked through the doors, and the viennese police siren sounded on some wacky woodwind.

 

That was obviously a nod to those hostile warrior aliens in Star Trek, right? But was Goldsmith / Horner in turn even aware of what that pattern was? Steiner definitely was aware when he used it aptly in a crime film in the 1940s --- "The Letter", I think..., because he had lived in Vienna his entire youth...

 

Anyway, the use is unintentionally funny to me, and I find it surreal to already know pieces by 4 different composers which all use this signal.

[Faleel 5,326]

I thought it was supposed to be more of a Western nod?

[Fabulin 3,506]

18 hours ago, The River (Fal) said:

I thought it was supposed to be more of a Western nod?

No reason it couldn't be both, as it is a western in space.

 

Anyway, I've just finished the season and, after hours of barebones Rocky Balboa shtick, played the Phantom Menace end credits to end the show rightly.

 

Williams' music hits like a freight train after so much Star Wars without it... during this show I felt that the music was hit and miss in terms of application. Usually it was fitting, but a bit too many times it was just confusing in being mismatched in energy to what was happening in the picture, and rather awkwardly timed.