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Uncovering the Influences: John Williams’ “Star Wars” Music

For his film music, John Williams borrowed a few things from previous composers: a search for clues in a galaxy far, far away.

The Empire has its march, the rebels have their fanfare, even the Death Star has a certain sound: the leitmotifs of the “Star Wars” film music are among the most memorable compositions in the world. And yet some of them are clearly inspired by earlier melodies – or should we even say: copied?

Together with “Presse” film critic Andrey Arnold, Katrin Nussmayr and Wilhelm Sinkovicz investigate the hidden influences in John Williams’ “Star Wars” music in this episode. And explore what the feelings between Han and Leia have to do with an old hit, what the desert planet Tatooine has to do with Igor Stravinsky – and why Darth Vader might come from Mars. At least from a musical point of view.

You can hear excerpts from the “Star Wars” soundtrack by John Williams and from the following recordings:

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: „Kings Row“
National Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Gerhardt (Kemdisc)

A.v. Zemlinsky: Lyrical Symphony
Berlin Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel (DG)

G. Holst: The planets
Mr. Philharmonic, H. v. Karajan (Decca)

I. Strawinsky: The Rite of Spring
Berliner Philharmoniker, H. v. Karajan (DG)

Hans May: A song goes around the world
Joseph Schmidt Salonorchester (Parnass)

“Classic for the tactless” is part of the “Musiksalon” podcast and appears every second Saturday.

2023-10-20 10:49:10
#Classic #tactless #Star #Wars #music

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