This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Michael Giacchino wrote the score for this latest entrant to the Star Wars saga. Giacchino had the difficult job of following the iconic scores John Williams created for this franchise. He rises to the occasion here with some great work. Giacchino captures just the right feel and integrates many of the themes we all know so well. It's not just rescoring of the Williams work, though. He manages to make much of the score his own. Enjoy!
Film Score Friday: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As if we could choose anything else on the day this score came out? If you're scared of plot spoilers, do not fear. There will be no plot spoilers in this post.
We're comfortable saying, without hyperbole, this is one of John Williams' finest scores. It's not the best, but certainly in the top ten.
As you know, this is the first time a Star Wars score has not been recorded by the London Symphony. Some of the members of the studio orchestra were understandably excited about the opportunity.
“Getting to be there in the trombone section was a fantasy I had really suppressed since I was in high school when the first [Star Wars] film came out!”
The scored used a 90 piece orchestra with 12 different recording sessions. We do miss the London sound, but nonetheless, it's great. The familiar themes are there, but there's plenty of new material.
Where does this rank in your list of Star Wars score? Let us know in the comments.
Mentioned in this Post
The Star Wars: The Force Awakens Score will arrive soon
It's one month until the score is released for the new Star Wars. WE ARE EXCITED!
We know a few things, but not much. John Williams is back and had a few comments in a Vanity Fair Interview.
“There are some scenes where we do make reference to earlier thematic pieces. We haven’t done it yet, but we’re planning to do it. It’s something that I think will seem very natural and right in the moments for which we’ve chosen to do these kinds of quotes. There aren’t many of them, but there are a few that I think are important and will seem very much a part of the fabric of the piece in a positive and constructive way.”
One key difference from the past recording of Star Wars is they used a studio orchestra instead of the London Symphony. We're sure it will be great, but there was something great about the marriage between this franchise and the London sound. The few precious bits we get to hear in the trailer sound great. They're clearly new, but familiar at the same time.
The score for this newest Star Wars installment is set to be released December 18. Will you buy it? Let us know in the comments.
Mentioned in this Post
Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Amazon