Conductor: Ulf Schirmer Orchestra: Münchner Rundfunkorchester Choir: Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks I did not own the copyright of the video- and audiotrack. No infringement is intended.
I'm just imagining what George Lucas must have felt when he heard this for the first time in the late 90s. This makes you feel the Force, the malice coursing through Maul's veins like a firestorm, and the struggle of the two valiant men barely able to keep him at bay. The change, especially at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="132">2:12</a>, is like a huge camera swing through the arc of destiny. You just feel almost drunk hearing this, it's just pure drama, marvellous stuff.
Well, he's the one with imagination. Of course, he whos requested John to makes the theme feels majestic duel of fates, action pumping, infinite climatic. Its not likes he has to wait which to choose and which to listen in the first place. Its already have been ordered to. Not wait for a dozen of pieces to try to compares and listen. :/
The best part I think from a musical perspective is the construction and deconstruction of the piece. The first time it get's reconstructed, an oboe solo comes with a bassoon counter melody of the theme, then it rapidly builds upon itself with the rest of the orchestra adding tons of intensity. Then the dissonant key change at 3:40 just sets up a crumble after an unestablished triplet measure for the second reconstruction. There is a lot more going on but it's just a fantastic progression that can tell a story within itself.
This fight is what seals Anakin's fate right there.. This fight is what seals the fate of both the Jedi and the Sith.. This fight is what changes the course of history. I am pretty sure George told all of this to John and John did what he does best. He killed it.
@UCfD9vHNB5Hijav9wJiYwycw Per Spielberg, John Williams is shown a completed movie, sans music... then he goes to town, creating these beautiful masterpieces. So I'm sure it was similar with George Lucas. So you are correct. No choosing the music. Williams makes the soundtrack and then everyone's socks are knocked off listening to it for the first time haha (and every time afterwards)
Can you imagine being one of the original members of the symphony the first time this was played? To hear it for the very first time as you played your part and then to realize afterward when the music was put to film that you were part of making something truly epic and timeless.
Duel of the Fates isn't just epic for it's own sake. The outcome of that fight literally changed the fate of the galaxy. So many destinies, even those who weren't born yet were influenced by it's outcome. Qui Gon's death altered Star Wars history.
Tbh I think ani wouldn't have turned into a sith not cus obi wan was a bad master but he's more traditional when it comes to the code ani needed someone gray like qui gon to be his master
@@orientallily4860 Not only someone less close-minded to the gradient of the force, but also someone who would be more like a father, that teaches him discipline but who is also open to the young padawans troubles.
The movie is 90 % crap and 10 % gold. Maul is a cool foe (though only really through the following spinoffs which gave him more of a character) and the music is great as always. I honestly think that this piece of music is the best thing the entire Prequels brought us. It's such a great piece of music. Incredible.
@@mergomezhervas840 People used to hate the sequels(and still do) cuz they think it provided backstory no one needed, and disliked some of the characters. People started giving it more respect tho after the Disney trilogy( which honestly isn’t that bad).
People really don't understand just how legendary this truly was when we all first heard it. It is another one of those moments in your life that you can never experience again for the first time and feel the same power and energy.
@@theresachacon1122 yup, his catalog of work is immense and recognizable. Jaws, Star Wars, ET, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Schindler’s List there’s more I can’t think of but the man is the greatest film composer of all time.
Holy shit I’ve never thought about it this way: The vocals are the dark side fighting the light side instruments. They get louder together like a duel. Idk if I’m really high but this was cool to me
@Veider222 I'm fairly certain OP had it correct the first time, when Darth Maul stabs Qui Gon (tear jerker for my main man Liam Neeson) is when the Choir peaks and the Orchestra fall flat (3:42). Not trying to be rude friend.
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="158">2:38</a> Holy cow I cant even express how much I love this little oboe piece its so amazing like literally its so majestic and mysterious and the notes are perfect and its the only thing you hear.
*Well I guess i'm honored because I played this in my 4th grade band* (Ok, you might be thinking that it's a little advanced for a 4th grade band, but it was 4th and middle school.)
I got to play this in college and let me tell ya, it was so much fun to play. The chorus produced so much sound and power that the first time we played it was so intense that we were all sweating within the first 10 measures hahaha
This is probably the most dramatic song ever composed. Literally every second you can feel the intensity and power slowly slowly rise until it's a full on cascade of strength. Truly a masterpiece, John Williams is a musical genius
Maximillian FoxI like how the voices and the instruments (mostly the horns) are kinda the two combatants, they even seem to be trading blows from 2:05 to 2:15. They are really recreating a battle between to opponents with only music.
Lemming Bot Like a lot of the parts in Star Wars, this theme is a dualism and battle of two sides. Just like you said. Although I associate this more with the actual rise of the sith.
Thee Epmek So could this song possibly be how the prequels were intended to be seen? A quiet beginning, but you know there's something more going on too until it reaches a dark, dramatic, and bloody turmoil filled conclusion. Intention and execution might not have matched up in the end, but still.
***** Yes, to some extent. The real story of Star Wars turned out to be Anakins fall from grace and the rise and defeat of the empire/siths. This song embodies the duel of the primeval dualisms, and its victor. In my opinion that is =)
Thee Epmek i agree, but they though, i guess, they had to start at the VERY beginning, which, in my humble opinion, was way too slow and painful a grind
Imperial march, force theme and duel of fates have to be the most perfect and beautiful stunning soundtracks in all SW movies, hell, they sure must be on the top ten of best movie soundtracks ever
I can tell you from my personal experience: SINGING this kind of music is absolutely fantastic! Listen e.g. to the final choir of Orff´s "Camina Burana", the final 5 minutes of Mahler´s 2nd Symphony, "Dies irae" from Dvorak´s Requiem or the final of Schoenberg´s "Gurrelieder". If you stand within those large choruses you are shaken by vibration of these large orchesters (two entire large Symphony orchestras!) and 150 peoples singing fortefortissimo. Music and singing is a never ending source of joy and overwhelming emotion. And I would love to sing theses pieces from "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" one day.
Leche de caballo I disagree, I find the Prequels to have the more memorable and overall better music. Of course the OT, you the force theme, the imperial March and the theme from the asteroid belt in ESB but I much prefer the prequels music
@@Dave-us5fq Well, it's music so it's inherently subjective. But I do still agree with you that the prequels still have some excellent songs other than Duel of the Fates. Like the one on Mustafar or the order 66 theme.
Leche de caballo ohh absolutely, hit the nail on the head. All music is of course down to our personal preference. For me the prequels resonate as I grew up watching them and have always preferred them to the OT. In saying that though; Williams has done an absolutely outstanding and downright world class job with the scores for the entire saga. No one could ever commend that man enough for the emotion and excitement he brings to the franchise.
By GOD, that is a song divinely inspired and put together. It is truly an achievement of Man. I've listened to this song a million times, but still get the shivers when I watch it live like this. John Williams is a true wonder for creating all this incredible music.
3:08. That is just an incredible moment. It's hard to describe just how epic this moment is, but if you get it, you get it. I don't need to explain it to you.
@@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015Those orchestral hits with the maddening piano arpeggio, all growing, coming together with the chorus. Completely epic. Just watched this all again.
It's a pity that what I consider to be the best live version here on RU-vid is unfortunately only available in one of the worst qualities. So.. i mean... the recording is older. But if you listen to the different live versions, this one is simply the most perfectly played for me. Really a pleasure to listen to this perfection. Thanks!
@@itznoxy7193 Another time was during the making of Schindler's List, John did not believe he was worthy to make the music for such a film. Steven Spielberg replied "True, but all the ones better than you are dead."
@@DealerJack10 Yeah come to think of it there were a few times he was wrong. Apparently the force theme in the famous binary sunset scene was George's idea. Williams wanted to use the main theme. He later admitted George was right.
@@callumpears1523 They didn't. The part he's talking about is when Duel was reused for Yoda vs Palpatine, Williams wanted to take out the chorus. George Lucas convinced him to keep it in, thankfully
Everyone who hates the prequels, this three Episodes brought us the most Epic Star Wars Soundtrack and yes in my opinion its even better than the Imperial Marsh
Bengerman Browne 2nd Richard Wagner - Götterdämmerung - Twilight of the gods - ...........of the sorcerer MERLIN,of the coming of the KING(Arthur) of the sword of POWER! ------EXCALIBUR!!! have you ppl no honor man....go listen before you speak.
I think Abrams made good films, the problem was the idiot Kennedy and when whe decided to change Abrams to Johnson at the 8th episode... If Abrams made the film, it would be much better
TED_ M well if you didn’t know, that little line or motif that goes up and then down is the theme for destiny, so in some way it makes sense. However I was shocked to hear it as well
@@parkjimin-standkb-62 I have been playing for about 3 years almost. But I learned extremely quick and within a year I could play easier orchestra level music, like the Star Wars main theme. This isn't as high for most of the trumpet parts but it is much faster and not long notes so I have to move my fingers much quicker and that can be a little more difficult.
