They didnt use the London Symphony Orchestra

So you're saying that the choice of orchestra determines the quality of the compositions?

 

stupid post is stupid.

 

Ouch, That bites twice, since Williams not only composed, but also would have signed off on what musicians the contractor provided him.

 

I was trying to clarify the OP's criticism.

The LSO's non-involvement on this film came down to logistics. As for the compositions themselves, I love them. After my first viewing I thought they were a little underwhelming, but my opinion is changing rapidly the more I see and listen.

 

I agree with your clarification (or at least the direction you were pointing it...). I believe had the LSO done this, it would have sounded pretty much the same.

So many people seem to forget that John Williams use of the LSO for film scores is very much the exception. The great majority of his film scores use players from the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) recording in LA. These are the musicians he works with most often.

To @Count dooku: LSO is an excellent orchestra, and as @jmjawors pointed out, their absence on this score was mostly because of logistics.
But the American orchestras are no less talented.

 

I think they were overwhelmed by the visuals, which is not a bad thing. I plan to eventually listen to them by themselves before I worry too much about their meeting my expectations or not. Especially seeing the movie in 3D & 3D IMAX, I can only process so much at one time.

 

Your logic is once again nonsensical.

The soundtrack was great.

 

Put me in the camp of a bit underwhelmed by the music. I don't think it has anything to do with the orchestra, or really John Williams. But it seems they were going out of there way to not use music from the other movies. The big exception is Rey's Theme which is fantastic and easily the best and most memorable song in the film

 

the first time I saw the movie I didn't pay too much attention to it, and I have to say I was a little disappointed that it didn't stand out as much as I thought it would have, but in the second view I managed to listen to it better, and I realy liked it, in particular Rey's theme, Snoke's theme and the first music right after the opening crawl

 

I'm trying not to be unpromptedly harsh but the period in time in which I would have classified the LSO as an excellent orchestra is long gone.
In any case I love the soundtrack - partly because it marries the harsh lines and voice of the ANH score with the delicate, minimalist aged style Williams has developed but also because the playing ( especialy of the brass ) is simply fantastic.
I assume what people that don't like the soundtrack actually resent is the lack of romantic sweep or shades of pure sweetness.
To which I say: It's just not that kind of film.
Melancholie - not sentimentality.

 

TFA is definitely missing a "duel of the fates", "across the stars" or "battle of the heroes" i think rey's theme will build througnout the new trilogy, but it's definitely not the best soundtrack out there BUT it works great when watching the movie
my biggest gripe is the initial opening fanfare is just lacking compared to every other recording, it's the same orchestra and conductor on the John Williams celebration (thank you again viral!) and that sounds amazing!

 

So, I'm reading JWfan.com's review of the Star Wars The Force Awakens soundtrack album, and I find this:

A different conductor can make a noticeable difference. Perhaps Dudamel is why you heard a different energy to the Main Title on the album?

(Williams would have conducted all the sessions for scoring the film proper).

 

I lose patience with those who say there are no original thematic pieces in this score.

TFA themes:

Rey's Theme
Kylo Ren's signature
Resistance March
Jedi Steps theme

 

They literally couldn't because of John's health...and I'm talking about Boyega .

 

I was kidding...I was really talking about John Williams...his health prevented them from scoring in The UK .

 

Useful link to TFA music (Disney YouTube) for those interested.

 

They denied it was health-related, although it may have actually been. At the time, they cited the convenience of a local free-lance orchestra for scoring as the editing process was taking place. I am not in the industry so I don't know how it works, but it seemed reasonable to me.