John Williams Reflects On Writing The ‘Star Wars’ Theme
In the history of motion pictures, there may not be a more iconic piece of music than “Star Wars (Main Title).”
In case you couldn’t guess, this is the musical theme that has been played at the beginning of every Star Wars film since A New Hope was released in 1977.
The legendary piece of music was the work of composer John Williams and was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
In the 46 years since the music’s debut, the Star Wars theme has become instantly recognizable to billions around the world.
Interestingly, however, Williams struggled to create the masterpiece.
John Williams Looks Back
In a recent interview with CNN‘s Chris Wallace, Williams reflected back on the creation of the theme of Star Wars.
“Well, I really worked backwards…because this piece is the last piece I wrote in the process of writing an hour and a half of music and so on. Because I couldn’t seem to get a sort of heraldic theme that had the heroic aspect that the orchestra could present in a short period of time.”
After struggling to create a piece of music that would encapsulate the heroic struggle that Luke Skywalker would go through, Williams finally got it.
“And finally, in desperation really, I just worked out this thing which jumps,” he recalled.
After hearing the piece, the London Symphony Orchestra was excited to showcase their brass chops. Williams had done it.
“That seemed to me to be a direct, strong, sonorous sound from the orchestra, and I smile when I hear it.”
Nearly 50 years after it debuted, the Star Wars theme remains as powerful and memorable as the first time it was played on screens. A crowning achievement for cinema’s greatest composer.
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