Williams – Star Wars Suite (2024 Jacob Leshnower)

When Star Wars hit theaters in May 1977, it became a surprisingly resounding success, due in large part to the exciting classical score composed by John Williams.

The Main Title has earned its spot among the most recognizable movie tracks in history, traditionally commencing each Star Wars film. It begins triumphantly with a full and resounding B-flat major chord spearheaded by powerful brass alongside an iconic cymbal crash and triangle roll. After the introduction, the trumpets continue jumping fifths and octaves while traveling down the B-flat major scale, to create the famous melody millions of fans know and love today. After the brass fanfare, the strings enter with a second, legato melody. The first section spirals into an ominous section evoking outer space with a piccolo solo over an augmented chord in the woodwinds. Soon, the low brass enter and the whole orchestra plays a unison rhythm reminiscent of the end of Gustav Holst’s Mars from The Planets. Throughout the rest of the movement, the main melody returns in different keys, interspersed with slower, more reflective sections featuring the strings and woodwinds. The music ends decisively with a beautiful brass chorale featuring a minor plagal cadence, a timpani solo on the tonic and dominant, and a final snare drum roll under a sustained G-major chord.

Princess Leia’s Theme is one of the many Wagnerian-style leitmotifs Williams employs in the Star Wars saga. This time, it is introduced by a quiet, peaceful French horn melody beginning with a major-sixth. After a brief woodwind and harp interlude, the melody is passed along to the flute, followed by the violins. The orchestration becomes increasingly rich, driving a building emotional intensity. A violin solo ends the piece on a gorgeous, sustained high E. The gentleness of this piece reflects the compassion and care that Princess Leia Organa has for her new friends and saviors, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, and the larger Rebel Alliance.

The Imperial March, in contrast, is bold, dark, and ominous. Premiered in The Empire Strikes Back, it portrays the Empire and the oppressive nature of Darth Vader. It begins in G minor, with the bass line alternating between G and E-flat, the latter being the minor-sixth chord, which is known to engender feelings of terror. The brass melody only amplifies the somber mood, outlining the notes of the E-flat chord and continuing in similar fashion. The ensuing slower section adds a mysterious element, featuring melodic lines in the flute beginning after the downbeat. The horns reintroduce the main melody on top of the other instruments, until the piece returns to G minor with the full orchestra, culminating in an intense conclusion.

The Star Wars franchise, including its inspiring and memorable music, has been part of American culture for nearly half a century. When the first movie was released in 1977, The Hollywood Reporter praised the music, writing that “John Williams has composed a rich, luxuriant score that engulfs the ear as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.” Now, it is the Yale Symphony Orchestra’s turn, so please sit back and enjoy—and may the Force be with you.

– Jacob Leshnower

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