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Ranking your Top 5 favorite scores

Discussion in 'General Movie Discussion' started by Bluestreaking, Aug 9, 2015.

  1. Bluestreaking

    Bluestreaking Imperial Grand Admiral with Bluish skin

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    John Williams is as much as Star Wars as lightsabers and Death Stars, we have all devoted a great deal of time discussing our love for the modern maestro. So I figured we could discuss each of our top 5 favorite pieces of his in the Star Wars universe. Since I want this to be film centric I will have to remove two of my personal favorites ("Revan's Theme" from TOR and "Vode An" from Republic Commando) since they were video game pieces by different composers

    Anyway I'm going to post my Top 5 in descending order to build hype

    5. Star Wars Main Theme



    As soon as the movie begins we are immediately strapped in and brought to lightspeed with one of the most legendary pieces of music in cinema history. Opens with a strong brass section that helps engross us into the idea of a Galaxy of adventure. Most people only think of the first minute and a half or so, going past that immediately brings you back to the opening scene of Episode IV. If I have just one complaint of my digital collection it is how much the sped up that opening scene taking away the impact of the Star Destroyer. Once you get past that point you reach the bittersweet music that reminds you that you have reached the end of the film and it is time to get in the car and go home.

    4. Binary Sunset



    Softer and gentler than the bombastic main theme, it still has been the piece of Star Wars music that speaks to me more than any other theme from Star Wars. Honestly to me Binary Sunset is more Star Wars than the main theme. It has the feelings of a call to adventure and the idea that somewhere out there you find where you belong. It's one of the great dramatic moments of A New Hope as Luke is about to take his first step towards his destiny.

    3. Into the Trap



    When I first got Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds I used to continually click I used to click on the Rebel Alliance entry just to hear my favorite singular strings piece of the OT. Into the Trap has been in my opinion a sorely overlooked gem from the OT that captures the spirit of the Battle of Endor perfectly. It also has some of the best use of drums in the entire Saga.

    2. Duel of the Fates



    Even the strongest haters of the Prequel Trilogy adore this piece. It was something completely unique to the world of Star Wars music with its use of chorus chanting. While Williams had worked with voices before in the Emperor's Theme it was still nothing like the chanting of Duel of the Fates. It is my belief that the human voice is the greatest instrument when wishing to evoke human emotion and Duel of the Fates has grown almost as strongly attached to Star Wars as any classic theme of the OT.

    1. Battle of the Heroes



    I feel I am a minority with this but I always felt that everything Duel of the Fates did good Battle of the Heroes did better. The two pieces are closely linked with Battle of the Heroes basically a tragic rendition of Duel of the Fates and borrowing some chunks of music from its predecessor. Even if some feel that the emotional buildup wasn't done enough this is the perfect piece of music for two friends being forced to duel to the death for the fate of the Galaxy. While there are variations of Battle of the Heroes I prefer I chose to go with the closest to the original piece to be far.



    So with my opinion aside go ahead and share your own. Did I not give enough love to Leia's theme? Emperor's Throne Room? Imperial March? The Mos Eisley Cantina? This is your chance to probe my paltry rankings insignificant to the power of your own favorite Star Wars themes
     
    #1 Bluestreaking, Aug 9, 2015
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  2. Bosc

    Bosc Force Attuned

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    That's an awesome list. I obviously love all of those pieces, and happily I can add five more that don't overlap. The order is somewhat arbitrary:

    5 - Dune Sea/Jawa Sandcrawler -



    I'm partial to the music from Ep. IV above all others, in part because of the enormous amount of incidental music that's included. Obviously all six films have that, but for whatever reason it's more memorable in the original Star Wars. Maybe it's because it's been in my life the longest. Our aural introduction to Tatooine paints a stark, desolate picture which later contrasts with the quirky, yet somehow menacing march of the Jawas. The Stravinsky is strong with this track... which is a good thing.

    4 - Escape From the Death Star -



    Here it is with bonus Ben Kenobi death scene. The music imparts the urgency of the situation; time is of the essence and their sorrow will have to wait.

    3 - Yoda's Theme -



    It's not a love theme by any stretch, but Yoda's theme has always felt like it was packed with passion. I suppose this is fitting for someone so wise, experienced and powerful in the Force. This theme can be glacial, wistful and powerful. I don't think there's a more complicated character piece in the entire saga. Perhaps Anakin's theme... not sure.

    2 - Trade Federation March -



    I struggled to find the right version of this to include. What I want starts at about 1:00 into this video. I am a big fan of this sequence in The Phantom Menace, and the march-like music reminds us of the Empire without borrowing from it thematically. It's a driving force, but perhaps not as unstoppable as the Imperial March, and so it fits the Trade Federation well.

    1 - The Asteroid Field -



    My all-time favorite piece from Star Wars. The picture that's painted for us illustrates the action perfectly: our heroes are frantic, chased by the Empire. And then the chaos of the asteroids swirling erratically around them. They are desperate, but determined to keep moving forward.

    Of course there is so much more incredible music throughout all six movies, but this is the list that came immediately to mind.
     
    #2 Bosc, Aug 9, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2015
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  3. Jake Wolfe

    Jake Wolfe Rebel Official

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    Because I'm so terrible at picking favorites (or at least putting some favorites over others), I'll just order these by film.

    1. Yoda and the Younglings 1:08-3:23



    It's innocent, child-like, and spiritual, all at once.. Very resonant with me.

    2. Anakin's Betrayal



    When this plays during Revenge of the Sith, that moment when Yoda drops his cane... All of the pieces just play together, (visually, audibly, and emotionally) just perfect.

    3. Yoda's Theme



    I think what is so moving to me about this piece is the it really solidifies who Yoda is in the film. Yoda briefly alludes to who he was and is, and is his old Jedi Master self again, almost like the "glory days", and this piece is what brings that home. This is a *great* Jedi Master! A true teacher, guide, and mentor, of the highest order.

    4. Luke and Leia (End Title reprise) 5:22-8:23



    It's a kind of love theme, almost. I'd call it a "familial love theme". The feeling, in relation to the film's story, is one of discovering one's familial identity.

    5. Leia's News/Light of the Force



    Victorious, yet.. Melancholy, as if reflecting on the journey and those that have been lost. At the same time, a hopeful look towards the future, at the end.

    Honorable Mention: Qui-Gon's Funeral/Padme's Destiny

    A churchy feel, which I think is appropriate to the purpose of this piece. Definitely and inarguably sad. Worthy of a tear, for one invested in the films' characters and their struggles and sacrifices.
     
    #3 Jake Wolfe, Aug 11, 2015
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  4. Bosc

    Bosc Force Attuned

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    I'm so glad you included this. I would never have thought to. It almost feels as though the entire saga is wrapped up into these few minutes.

    So... ok. Everyone gushes over John Williams' music, but now that there's a thread about it people aren't touching it with a ten-foot pole.

    Alright. I understand. Fine!

    Tell us about our top 5's, or add your own! :)
     
    #4 Bosc, Aug 12, 2015
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  5. Jake Wolfe

    Jake Wolfe Rebel Official

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    Exactly!
     
    #5 Jake Wolfe, Aug 12, 2015
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  6. appfanincaaland

    appfanincaaland Rebelscum

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    My five favorite scores:
    34-32
    16-15
    21-16
    48-27
    24-14
     
    #6 appfanincaaland, Aug 18, 2015
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  7. Thrawn

    Thrawn Clone

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    1. Duel of the Fates
    2. Imperial March
    3. Asteroid Field
    4. Main Theme
    5. Yoda's Theme

    Duel of the Fates and Imperial March are superb. In my opinion, they're playing in another league than anything else.
     
    #7 Thrawn, Jan 8, 2018
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