Music and the Fictive Dream: STAR WARS The Empire Strikes Back
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The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner and released in 1980, is the fifth episode of the STAR WARS series and has arguably one of the best soundtracks of all the STAR WARS movies. It continues the story from A New Hope, following the rebel alliance, which is now hiding from the empire relentlessly pursuing them. The light and dark continue their fight for peace or control over the galaxy. The music in this movie is one of the most important aspects of what makes this movie so good and timeless.
The militaristic tone of "The Imperial March" does not only resemble the Galactic Empire's rigid structure but also reflects wider societal themes of authoritarianism and control.The use of a march-like rhythm and strong brass section reflects the imposing nature of historical regimes like the Nazis party during WWII.By taking this dark, oppressive music with the hopeful themes of the Rebel Alliance, the soundtrack underscores the ongoing struggle between tyranny and freedom, a message connecting to many.
The music in The Empire Strikes Back is from an orchestral group, the London Symphony Orchestra, and is written and conducted by John Williams. The soundtrack of the movie is 74 minutes and 34 seconds long, containing 17 songs. Each song represents different themes and people within the movie, and even if you haven't watched the movie you are still able to tell what the song represents. These songs play a crucial role in emphasizing actions and foreshadowing the events that are about to take place. The most powerful and important song in the movie is "TheImperial March". This song represents Darth Vader and the rigid and structured order that is the empire.
"TheImperial March" is a song used throughout the movie, symbolizing the persistent march of the empire, and capturing the energy and essence of Darth Vader. This is played during one of the movie's most important scenes when Vador reveals to Luke that he is his father. When he tells Luke to join him "The Imperial March" starts to play, symbolizing the choice he is to face, joining his father in the empire and the dark side or to stay with the rebels and the light side.
"The Imperial March" was written in California in 1979 by John Williams, during the production of The Empire Strikes Back. Composed in the key of G minor and accompanied by a persistent rhythm, "TheImperial March" evokes a feeling of raw power and a militaristic tone with a heavy brass section, a dramatic and meticulous string section, and a small but powerful percussion section. The shift in dynamics from loud brass, gives a sense of power, to the harmonious strings, creating a dark unison tone. The rhythm of the song is march-like, symbolizing the massive presence of the empire and its military.
This song is one of the most iconic pieces to come from movies and has played a vital role in the Star Wars movies. "The Imperial March" is such a unique and ominous piece of orchestral music, giving the listeners a sense of a dark and powerful presence approaching. I think "The Imperial March",along with many of the other songs composed by John Williams for the Star Wars series, has had a major influence on these movies, bringing that extra touch of life and drama these movies.
Hey Landon, great pick choosing the empire strikes back! The imperial march is something that, regardless of the generation, most people will recognize, very Iconic! To be able to create something where people who do not even watch the movies will recognize is truly remarkable.
Hey Landon, great choice on a Star Wars movie! It looks like we've got similar tastes. I agree that "The Imperial March" is a defining piece in The Empire Strikes Back, perfectly capturing the empire's oppressive nature and Darth Vader’s power. Your connection to historical authoritarian regimes is insightful, emphasizing the universal struggle between tyranny and freedom. To enhance the discussion, consider how the march evolves across the trilogy, reflecting Vader's internal conflict, especially in Return of the Jedi. Great work!
What a great pick to do your blog post on. “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” is an amazing film full of amazing music, and “The Imperial March” is one of the best songs in the entire movie. I agree with you when you say that it makes the listener feel like a dark and powerful presence is approaching. I think if you liked this movie and the music that's in it you should try watching the rest of the “Star Wars” movies as they all have very good soundtracks.
Hey Landon, huge Star Wars fan here! I'm so glad someone made use of the films because the scores are amazing. I used to own most of the Star Wars pieces on piano sheet music and the Imperial March was my favorite to play. It's so simple, yet the simplicity adds to the intenseness. Sometimes less is more and here is a perfect example of that. I'm with you on it truly does feel like something dark and evil is coming. The scores of the movies are what make Star Wars great, and that's proven if you try to watch it on mute. This scene ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2F91Up9fT8 ) on mute especially is underwhelming without the dooming imperial march.
Hello all! I am Landon Stroh, and I am from a small town in Alaska called Hope, it is on the Kenai Peninsula about an hour and a half south of Anchorage. I graduated from high school in Hope and moved there in 2011. I enjoy downhill skiing at Alyeska, in Girdwood, and have been skiing for 13 years now. I like playing pickleball and disc golf, among some other games. I am going to UAF to become a civil engineer, and minoring in mathematics. I listen to all kinds of music, and almost any chance I have to listen to music I will. Most genres of music, except for heavy metal, techno, or country, are the types I would typically listen to. Some of my favorite bands are Twenty One Pilots, X Ambassadors, and Mumford & Sons, just to name a few. I used to play a little piano when I was in middle school, but I never learned how to read sheet music and I slowly just stopped playing, though I would like to start playing again. I recently went to my first concert with one of
I was introduced to Journey at a very young age, m y parents would play songs by Journey on car rides or any occasion that would invite the opportunity to listen to music and " Don't Stop Believin' " always stuck out to me with its catchy lyrics and its upbeat tempo. This song is about not stopping in believing in what pushes you forward, even if you are stuck in repeating loop or feel lost. This message really stuck with me, and always made me feel better. " Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey was released in 1981 and is an 18 times platinum hitting song, and is considered one of the biggest songs ever released in America. " Don't Stop Believin' " is about two people stuck in a repeating loop, that won't seemingly end, looking for a change. They discover that they are not alone in their struggles, sparking a new hope, pushing them to continue believing in something greater or a change that can and will happen. This is
Hey Landon, great pick choosing the empire strikes back! The imperial march is something that, regardless of the generation, most people will recognize, very Iconic! To be able to create something where people who do not even watch the movies will recognize is truly remarkable.
ReplyDeleteHey Landon, great choice on a Star Wars movie! It looks like we've got similar tastes. I agree that "The Imperial March" is a defining piece in The Empire Strikes Back, perfectly capturing the empire's oppressive nature and Darth Vader’s power. Your connection to historical authoritarian regimes is insightful, emphasizing the universal struggle between tyranny and freedom. To enhance the discussion, consider how the march evolves across the trilogy, reflecting Vader's internal conflict, especially in Return of the Jedi. Great work!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pick to do your blog post on. “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” is an amazing film full of amazing music, and “The Imperial March” is one of the best songs in the entire movie. I agree with you when you say that it makes the listener feel like a dark and powerful presence is approaching. I think if you liked this movie and the music that's in it you should try watching the rest of the “Star Wars” movies as they all have very good soundtracks.
ReplyDeleteHey Landon, huge Star Wars fan here! I'm so glad someone made use of the films because the scores are amazing. I used to own most of the Star Wars pieces on piano sheet music and the Imperial March was my favorite to play. It's so simple, yet the simplicity adds to the intenseness. Sometimes less is more and here is a perfect example of that. I'm with you on it truly does feel like something dark and evil is coming. The scores of the movies are what make Star Wars great, and that's proven if you try to watch it on mute. This scene ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2F91Up9fT8 ) on mute especially is underwhelming without the dooming imperial march.
ReplyDelete