We're getting into the Battle of Yavin today with Alex and Mollie Damon (Star Wars Explained)! We talk John Williams's frenetic score, wet and squishy X-wing sounds, comms chatter, and other soundscape details from Star Wars minutes 106-110. Don't worry -- Biggs is still alive in at this time.
Note: My mic has an intermittent crackly sound for the first 10 minutes. Sorry about that! Skip to about 10:50 if you want to avoid the robot voice.
Discussion Guide:
- 00:00 - Disclaimer
- 00:20 - Hello there!
- 09:30 - Can Alex name all of the Red Squadron?
- 10:50 - Skip to here if you don't want to hear my robot crackle voice.
- 23:40 - Force theme, fanfare-style
- 27:20 - Descending Heroic Tetrachords
- 39:00 - The little Imperial motif in ANH that got overshadowed by the Imperial March in ESB
- 41:00 - Wet X-wing blasters
- 1:10:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Themes:
- 5. Death Star
- 3. Force
- 18) Descending Heroic Tetrachords
- 17) Heroic Determination
- Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Soundtrack: "The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon/X-Wings Draw Fire/Use The Force")
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
- Mollie: Hope, bravery, curiosity.
- Alex: bwaaap tscheww pew!
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
- Mollie: The psychology behind how different chords of music make someone feel. How does sound evoke different emotions?
- Alex: How Ben Burtt made the X-wing sounds.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
- Mollie: Lord of the Rings. (composed by Howard Shore). Also: Tarantino soundtracks, Moulin Rouge, and the new West Side Story.
- Alex: Lord of the Rings (composed by Howard Shore)
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Star Wars Explained:
Star Wars Music Minute:
Xanthe:
