Star Wars Main Theme
Listening Guide
Composer: John Williams
Composition: Star Wars Main Title
Date: 1977
Genre: Motion Picture Soundtrack
Performing Forces: Orchestra
What we want you to remember about this composition:
Timing
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Opening Fanfare: Use of perfect fourths to evoke heroism.
Orchestral: trumpets and brass.
Triplet figures create a sense of excitement.
Opens on a loud tonic chord to convey strength.
Main Theme.
High brass alternating with strings.
Heroic march.
Strong tonal center.
Transition to space battle music as Imperial Star Destroyer looms over a smaller ship.
Ascending strings followed by lone flute solo and stabbing brass notesFloating time followed by jarring triplet figures.
Moves towards dissonance to create sense of impending danger.
Battle Music: Melody spells out a diminished chord, evoking conflict.
Low brass takes over melody.
Faster march creates a sense of urgency.
Minor key depicts danger.
Main theme returns.
Melody switches to the French horns.
Heroic march.
Returns to major key.
Leia's Theme.
Sweeping romantic melody in strings.
Slow moving tempo.
Lush romantic chords.
Main Theme returns.
Battle Theme returns.
Closing Section (Coronation Theme).
Full Orchestra.
Slow and majestic.
Ends on a strong tonic chord.