Return of the Jedi: "Luke Vs. Vader” by John Williams (Score Reduction and Analysis) A full score reduction of the Luke and Vader lightsaber fight from Return of the Jedi. I own nothing. Enjoy!
1:29. This is has be one of my favourite musical moments in the entire SW series, because the (as you so aptly describe) 'mournful' music gives the duel such a more serious and impactful emotional weight then if it had been loud, busy action music - and it's an anti-cliché that I'm sure a less capable composer than JW might not have achieved. I also love how the 'Emporer Theme' is used in the later half, first with harmonised horn, and then with doubled trumpet. This renders the moment one about 'character' rather than about 'plot'. I'm so delighted you have gone to this much work for our entertainment and informative benefit. Thank you so much!!!
I thought a while before posting this...I love what you're doing. The term you and David, who's wonderful, may be searching for is Tragic. The situation in ROTJ is heroic tragedy, where an error in judgement by a hero leads to great suffering. Tragic music is slow, serious, minor mode, and traditionally sung by male chorus. There is a mournful quality, and the distinction can be seen in Darth Vader's Death. Both are sad but Luke Vs. Vader is grandiose and relentless. Until the catharsis. The catharsis in A New Hope is Anakin's transformation, swooping in classic deus ex machina style to set things right. Now the music has fast action strings and winds with brass playing the leading melody of the drama.
Also, some of the chords seam to be in major key, but keep the tragic mood. This expresses the good in defeating Vader, without sacrificing the mournful mood of Luke being tempted to the Dark Side
Gorgeous! I was just analysing this orchestration the other day. Mournful - pretty good word. The direction in the score for this passage is 'Liturgically'.
Incredible work as always. Something very interesting here, IMO, is how Williams always manages to fit very "square" and accessible musical ideas into the timing of the film. The Emperor's theme obviously has to hit the picture marks at 4:08 and 4:55, when he starts and stops the lightning, but Williams also makes it hit 4:43, moving the music up a notch as Luke's plea to Vader goes unanswered, RIGHT as the music starts repeating the Emperor's theme with even more ominous orchestration. Some very fluid conducting makes this picture hit possible (it's more obvious if you listen at 2x speed). No way Williams could have hit that middle marker with a click track and a steady tempo for the whole cue.
@Gideon October I'm pretty sure I've heard Spielberg say that he cut the finale of the film around the Adventures on Earth score to make it fit (which is of course very rare in this industry), not the other way around.
Your analysis accurately describes the music for the Luke-Vader duel as mournful, because Luke is giving into his fear and anger and going toward the dark side. It's just a shame so many "fans" think Luke is heroic for beating Vader, and that's why they were disappointed with his portrayal in The Last Jedi. But the music here is anything but heroic.
Goodness gracious, that G major chord @ 1:39 is insane, not to mention the entirety of the incredible statement of the Emperor theme @ 2:05. Thanks for making the reduction!
Absolutely overwhelming musical moment, perfect mastery of orchestration and harmony. Try to mute the sound, just write music for the moment. Whatever you try will sound ridiculous! John is a genius!
Great work as always! I hope we're also going to see the continuation of the battle, with the Death Star explosion? To be honest, analysis of the music until the end of the film would be incredible!
I'm really happy about how the music being turned up by you drowned out Vader's "Noooo.. NOOOOoOOOOOoOOooOoo". It really has no place here, especially with the particular way it was delivered. Anyway, for future Star Wars videos I suggest you use the despecialized editions and/or 4k77, 4k83 and (if it will be made) 4k80. And if you prefer the newer effects then the semi-specialized editions.
Aw you cut off when Luke takes Vader's helmet and mask off you hear the notes of the Imperial march played softly on a harp when Vader dies and Luke has his head bowed in sadness, to indicate Vader's rule and menace is over and Luke has lost his father.
Thank you STAR WARRIORS & David McCaulley! As a screenwriter/playwriter and songwriter THIS video is important in building EMOTION in the viewer. The LEITMOTIF and THEATER feel is what is missing from the prequels and most recent SW films. This is why the ORIGINAL trilogy particarly the Empire Strikes Back still remains the FAV sequels amongst STAR WARRIORS
Man this is exactly what I need thank you so much. Lately I've been finding channels that make great analyses, or however you say it, of the LOTR and Star Wars movies. I just found your channel and you did a great job outlining one of my favorite moments from the movies. Thank you so much! This is awesome!!! It's also really cool to see other people appreciating this work of art! (Both the ost and the video ofc!) Once again, thank you! If you';re need any suggestions, I'd like to cast my vote for the Cloud CIty soundtracks especially including the moment where the Slave 1 flies away in the original release. (IIRC they changed the ost that plays in that clip in the newer editions.)
If you haven't seen yet, one of some newer channels that do score reductions did The Starkiller a while back: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aLvlXkFxrLs.htmlsi=trlA99cjwHZ9vSlY
I like to isolate on the male chorus in this piece. It's like the voice of the Dark Side, and it cries out "NO! No! No, no no...." as the Emperor plummets down the power shaft.
Please Upload The Music Of The Return Of The Jedi The Scene Of The Destruction Of Death Star 2 & Leia's News & Anakin Skywalker Funeral & Victory Celebration
Excellent work, however I must point out that the scales mentioned in bar 33 over the C#m chord are all incorrect. The most appropriate derivation would be the C# dorian #4 (4th mode of the G# harmonic minor scale).
There is a score transcription for the Close Encounters music, not the end, I think it was called "communication" or something, and I thought it was quite interesting. The way John develops complexity from a very simple "theme" is very interesting to see. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g8_7r45wl2s.html