Raiders of the Lost Ark: "Desert Chase” by John Williams (Score Reduction and Analysis)

Raiders of the Lost Ark: "Desert Chase” by John Williams (Score Reduction and Analysis)
A full score reduction of the desert chase from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I own nothing.
Enjoy!

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

5:30 is one of the greatest action clips ever written.

[@tylerwithak2175]

*the greatest

[@danielduggan5405]

All 8 and a half minutes are.

[@ViperAceFilms]

Everything from 5:30 on is the greatest filmmaking ever

[@theconektd]

It’s been my favorite since I was a kid. I was just singing it to myself in the grocery the other day. Haven’t watched the movie in years😂

[@BlazinInfernape]

I'm not familiar with the Indiana Jones movies, but in hearing this I have to say this is one of my favorite John Williams cues ever. I felt so much tension, the back and forth of the battles, the inner workings of the characters, it's all here, written into the music clear as day.

[@kristandevries4835]

Lovely...I like the original even more...heard it as a teenager.

[@theblueadventurer615]

You're missing out dude

[@OdinColt-zw7ys]

Wow-wee, right! 😢

[@FishingwithTyBaker]

You should at least give Raiders a try. I wish I could watch it again for the first time! One of my favorite John Williams scores. Also if you like Raiders, The Last Crusade is similar with great music also!

[@sajrocks]

"This could be considered to be G diminished lydian, but that's disgusting, so we'll just call it atonal." XD

[@DavidMcCaulley]

Looking back on this comment, it's more likely that Williams thought of the scale as Db dorian b2 (G diminished lydian and Db dorian b2 are the same scale). The dorian b2 scale is, as I've learned since making this video, actually not uncommon in the world of film music. But yes, I still think G diminished lydian is disgusting. :)

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

@@DavidMcCaulley G,A,Bb,C#,D, E F# ... I've always called this 'double melodic minor' since both the upper tetrachord and the 4th of the pentachord are raised. Great work on these, as always, just giving you my take on this.

[@jazzx251]

The only thing that's diminished is your knowledge of music.

[@sajrocks]

it is just. effing. breathtaking.

[@codemaster94]

I used to play Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb a lot as a kid, and they had some similar fourths like in 2:47 on the action themes when you're dealing with the bad guys. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

[@TheWho83]

I always wondered why that second hit at 0:40 (when Beloq walks to his car) only appears in the film version. Never found it on any score, even if it was an extended version beyond belief. PS: Astonishing work by the way!

[@TonyVBlue5]

Purposedly or not, trumpets at 6:53 look like the first notes of Indy's A-Theme, and I love how the neverending ostinato transforms into Indy's B-Theme at 7:00, it's smooth and very satisfying ! Thanks for your work, David !

[@ckeledjian]

The inventiveness this track! That brutal motif at 0:15, that's not used anywhere else but just to the loading of the arc. The development of the German motif, the truck march, musical descriptive of the action without sounding cartoonist. I dismay just imagining the amount of work this took. There are more ideas dor themes and ostinatos here than in 2 hours of Marvel superhero movies. I bet one inspiration was again Holst Mars, more noticeable at 7:12.

[@victorzuniga6745]

Still one the greatest action cues of all time!

[@daffhs]

At last! the complete audio version. Can't thank you enough for this, David. Great work.

[@YTBlazer]

Amazing work, David. This is truly everything I was looking for, as I'm actively trying to re-create the theme @ 5:11 in FL Studio and have been struggling, youre the first person I've able to find who has seperated the instruments and everything.

[@cristobalveasrivera7036]

Would be nice to listen to your recreation mate

[@nicolaskingman1068]

Spencer was 76 years old here. ET still a year away. He remained Williams’ go to orchestrator well into the 1980’s. He died aged 87 in 1992. I think Hook was the first film without any cue from him.

[@JohnProthero]

I'm not too familiar with the role of an orchestrator. What was Mr. Spencer's role/duties, specifically?

[@nicolaskingman1068]

@@JohnProthero in this case just doing the final decision making of scoring. What Williams gives his orchestrator is a very detailed 8-10 stave sketch, with every note, rhythm and detail of dynamics, tessitura. Williams has used the same printed sketch page for 60 years. They have boxes above the stave for you in write the specific clock timing at the beginning of each bar. Spencer will see it all condensed in Williams quick handwriting, but it is detailed enough for Williams to actually conduct from. In a passage of say 4 bars of chords it may just say ww. Spencer will decide what woodwind and how best to voice those chords, possibly having a some instruments doubling the same pitches.

[@nicolaskingman1068]

Now orchestrators working for less skilled composers in terms of notation may also have an actual notational job, or arranging job (as in putting music into a particular style which could include some composing themselves). But Williams does 80% of his won work, so you really have to turn those 8 staves into 40. His scores usually are thus stave 1 upper ww, 2 lower ww, 3 upper brass, 4 lower brass, 5 and 6 perc (possibly two more staves if 10 staves paper for keyboards harp, sometimes there is just a line for unlatched stave), 7 upper strings, 8 lower strings.

[@nicolaskingman1068]

So Spencer deciphers that detailed sketch entirely in the composer’s own hand, and writes it out onto bigger scoring paper for the standard symphony orchestra.It is the orchestrator’s score from which parts are extracted by copyists for the players. Spencer said working Williams was very easy, half the work had already been done for him. He just had final decisions on voicing to make. Also ww is a loose term, he may choose to omit the oboes in a passage that is tender. The warmer blend of clarinets and flutes may require this. But the sketch did not say this (or does it?) If Williams had thought no oboes he may say in score, and if it is Spencer’s idea, he would probably get a pat on the pack, for making an excellent decision on the composer’s behalf. If they decided oboes should be back in, they may need to explain that to the,players during the recording session. Whatever Spencer does which is usually quick and first class, Williams will cast an eye over it to see if he agrees with his decisions.

[@JohnProthero]

@@nicolaskingman1068 Fascinating. I've been interested in Williams' scores for over 40 years, and met by chance someone who said their brother (this was over 40 years ago I was told this story) was the person who wrote out the orchestration for Williams, so it may have been Spencer's sibling. But it has been too long to remember the conversation exactly. I know several young composers who have to write out the full scores of their own works, but they're not scoring films, but writing for choral and orchestral groups, so the scoring demands might be less taxing. I enjoy reading scores and have Holst's "The Planets" currently out for study.

[@chrisridenhour]

Love the tempo increase that starts around 6:03

[@iLikeTheUDK]

BTW A version of the militaristic motif from Indy's Feats (starting 5:12) also runs under the Raiders' B theme at several points in this film and the rest, including the closing credits.

[@ninshu9073]

Could you provide any particular instances of this? I'm interested.

[@G-0]

That was great to watch! Needed this more than I knew.

[@stevenwatchorn9816]

I think I am addicted to this channel now. I can't imagine the amount of work that went into this.

[@magnumman8559]

When I was little, 1:50 was always one of my favorite moments in any Indiana Jones movie. Just the sound of Indiana Jones on his way to save the day. Still love it

[@Josiah-X]

One of my most favorite John Williams scores.👌🏿👍🏿 Finally I see & hear the actual full section.

[@thepenitenttextures1250]

I always thought the split for 9m1B Indy's Feats was at 5:54, where the Nazi kicks Indy's arm. That bar on the DCC version of this track is 5/4 instead of 4/4, and I thought that was because they assembled the cues so that they don't overlap where they were originally meant to.

[@thepenitenttextures1250]

An addendum: That's also the point where, on the OST assembly, a different take for Indy's Feats is used.

[@jb1980ist]

You're correct.

[@rytown5296]

This is and always will be by far my most favorite John Williams composition. Thank you so much for spending the time to appreciate and break down the whole piece. Cheers to you and your future projects!

[@ninshu9073]

happy 41st anniversary to the greatest film of all time.

[@thedarkknight5239]

3:05

[@electr0n884]

Absolutely stunning work! May I suggest some Aliens futile scape by James Horner and 2001 Space odyssey Jupiter Beyond the infinite Gyorgi Ligeti Requiem pls? Also, it will be a nice improvement indeed if you implement some type of scrolling bar or vertical line to highlight or keep it up with the sheet as the music plays. Thanks in advance, keep it up the good work!

[@dreamersclassic]

Thank you so much for your generosity sharing this amazing work. So useful...

[@polkmusic]

Another awesome cue from Maestro Williams. Great work on this.

[@andreasheierre8915]

This is just aamazing, astonishing, absolutely brilliant! Both the music (of course) and the video w/ analysis! Love it! 10/10 !!! Thanx!

[@jrb5892]

Driving while listening to this analysis is extremely satisfying!!!! 🙌🏼

[@user-de7yt1mo5l]

Pensate solo alla gioia di saper suonare uno strumento musicale e di essere chiamati a farlo per una colonna sonora del genere

[@jrb5892]

great analysis with the focus on the amazing score by John Williams.

[@user-sg7xu6dz2s]

Love this! This is a great outlet for anyone to start learning music theory!

[@aulademusica2352]

amazing videos, thanks for sharing!

[@guitaraldo]

Beautiful work!!!

[@fiandrhi]

The first time I heard this cue it struck me as a long development section, as in a symphony.

[@azarishiba2559]

Can you make one for "A Whirl Through Academe" from Indiana Jones 4? That motorcycle persecution through the university is fantastic.

[@Elbeno6548]

Do you think you could make a video like this on the Tank Chase from the Last Crusade?

[@keywest5184]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@GerrlichStudios]

amazing time changes

[@thedarkknight5239]

7:28

[@josephstachler7613]

Out of curiosity, is this music track directly from the film, or from the extended soundtrack overlayed on top of the film track? During the "Nazi march" after Indy gets shot, there's some hiccups compared to what I'm used to on the full version of this piece.

[@DavidMcCaulley]

This is from the extended soundtrack, but I made the same cuts and splices to the soundtrack that the film made in order for it all to line up.

[@connorbowen8867]

There are two versions released for the albums, one is a trimmed 7:33 that Williams "preferred", it's takes away a few bars here and there just for a more rhythmic listen. The extended album version runs 8:15.

[@jamesshielssoberlife.3701]

John Williams is a smart bloke, there is no doubt about that.

[@williamreid6255]

Definitely

[@BBoySolidusSnake]

I still think the India Jones franchise has one of the best soundtrack, all three originals.

[@kirbyspencer]

Just as I am working on a chase demo as well. Timing!

[@MiloDC]

Are the piatti notated according to the music in the first few bars? Seems like there are several hits missing on the first two pages of your score.

[@sfan1]

Just noticed that bar 21 is actually a 4/4 bar instead of 3/4 like it's indicated here. I hear that C in the violins repeated twice.

[@christiancarpenter5567]

for anyone trying to do a cover, the tempo is 110.

[@cubsnow_deserterfromthenor9886]

Yes I will definitely

[@HarrisonDavies]

Please please add an indicator so this novice can follow along. Amazing.

[@HunkeyPunk]

Who's here for 3:07

[@thedarkknight5239]

Me

[@jessebouwman1]

My favourite que in this piece is the theme from the trombones 👌

[@itsjustremy]

Best indiana jones score this may be my most listened to song

[@phx4closureman]

4:22 *ah HE'S DEAD... and covering his face ain't gonna help ONE DAMNED BIT!!!*

[@jdiogon]

Please please please do the motorcycle scherzo, analysis Pleaaaaaase

[@AzadMurphy]

the action starts here 1:07

[@julianbaxter2403]

Do you know where to find the sheets?

[@RavenChopper]

@ 2:16 "while it could be distinguished as G diminished lydian, but that's disgusting" ... perhaps that's the reason the Nazi theme is in that particular atonal style?

[@AzadMurphy]

My part favorite this 5:11 a 8:02

[@jacknedry3925]

1:07

[@MaxRamos8]

3:37

[@leslauner5062]

Ok...great job isolating the score from the scene...but where was the analysis?

[@FilmScoreandMore]

In the text boxes.