Revenge of the Sith: "Anakin's Betrayal” by John Williams (Score Reduction and Analysis)

[@DavidMcCaulley]

This analysis was a special priority request by a Patron at www.patreon.com/DavidMcCaulley! By adding your support, benefits could include: -early access to videos as I finish them -ability to make requests -PDFs of my analyses -and more to come Your support is greatly appreciated!

[@aierterkorekamusiccomposer6949]

And the in análisis you talk about scales,chords,...?

[@JordanWeberMusic]

Episode III is by far my favorite soundtrack of all time. This segment, Anakin's Dark Deeds and Battle of the Heroes being my favorite tracks.

[@DonHaka]

I agree, although i personally would put Padme's death over Battle of the Heroes :)

[@JordanWeberMusic]

@@DonHaka However, that piece is not originally from Episode III. While it is part of the soundtrack of Episode III, it is originally Qui-gon’s Funeral. Now, that’s not to detract from its brilliance and use in Episode III, but That’s just how I view that piece.

[@DonHaka]

@@JordanWeberMusic Ah yes i think someone mentioned that somewhere else! thanks for reminding me. But yes i was talking about the piece of music itself, whether it is Padme or Qui-gon doesn't really matter to me, the piece is incredible.

[@brothermanv]

Same here, bro

[@conradhauser4814]

The immolation scene is really good too

[@wraith2939]

0:52 1:08 3:33 I didn’t know my body was able to produce the intensity of those chills I just got

[@DonHaka]

yeah, this and Padme's death have brought me to tears, which no other film score has. RotS is my favorite Star Wars movie purely because of that.

[@BlazinInfernape]

The time that I saw this scene was the moment I started to consider episode 3 to be in the ranks of the original trilogy, better than episode 6 and possibly even on par with 4. It was emotional in its own right but John Williams really turned it up to 11 right here.

[@scotthazel6311]

This is my favorite track. Emotionally it tells you everything.

[@PuffyOne1898]

Finding hidden Dies Irae's in movie scores excites the music nerd inside me.

[@MrRbjunior83]

do you realize what a genius John Williams is? I study his score every day to touch this divine knowledge! thank you Dave!

[@connorbowen8867]

A lot of the chord work here, especially around 3:00 is very reminiscent of his arrangement of "Gloria" for film Monsignor

[@israelRaizer]

I had never heard the music for Monsignor before, and you're right, it really does sound similar...

[@joshuamaldonado1721]

say what you will about the prequels, you cannot deny that John Williams was harnessing his full power by this point.

[@michaelladarkangelsparkle9908]

OMG YASSSS! THANK YOU! THIS PIECE IS GORGEOUS! WOULD LIVE TO HEAR/SEE ANAKINS DARK DEEDS AS WELL IT HAS THE COOLEST MOST EPIC ENDING and the same music is used in Star Wars Old Republic cinematics LOVE IT!

[@oskarhrankowski]

The most emotional scene in the whole saga! Thank you so much for this amazing video!

[@christopherthorkon3997]

John Williams is amazing.

[@JClow08]

The music makes us sadder than the dialogue ever will

[@MrSoccerboy429]

Keep doing what you’re doing - this is amazing!

[@GGbreizh]

I haven't seen the movies since quite a lot of time, but I remember that the incidental motif appears first in Episode II, does it not? When Anakin discusses his 'genocide' with Padmé for instance. It seems also very similar to the little motif from across the Stars (the ostinato motif).

[@bencostello7435]

It's definitely in Episode II, although not when he talks about being a dictator. But the Dies Irae appears in many forms throughout SW...in "Clones" there are other variations of it when Zam dies and after Anakin kills the Sand People.

[@AbeKenney]

Yoda on chewbaka is like the good Master Blaster! (Mad Max)

[@estebancuadra02]

“To create tension, Williams often moves around voices of the established chord to create dissonant tension.” Identify both mistakes.

[@rossini9mozart10]

Love your work, thanks again !

[@fikradas]

Thank you a lot for the analysis ! Could you, in future uploads, not skip the parts not played in the movie ? (and instead leaving a blank space where the movie is usually played). Having listened to this piece dozens of times the cut at 1:46 was a bit jarring haha. But props for the great work !

[@TillisIsDone]

Damn, those first three measures didn't make the movie at 1:48 even though it's part of the orchestral soundtrack.

[@caras2004]

While all this was going on, Michael Corleone was at a baptism

[@iuptubaman]

I would love to know where a full score can be obtained from! I would love to have Episode II and III.

[@Kingofthecourt___0]

This shit is sadder than infinity war snap

[@CatHarington]

Never seen a John williams transcription with 4 trumpets and three + one trombones and 8 horns... Only saw, 4 horns, 3 trumpets 2+1 trombones one tuba...

[@marlowschutte9346]

Give this man some more honorful likes! Thanks a lot!

[@martinkalk8256]

1:56 just perfect

[@elistewart8665]

So good...

[@talnomix3164]

Do you know which "synth" was used or what the synth played? I suggest its an synth choir patch to create more emotion?

[@johnchessant3012]

0:58 - 1:16

[@CatHarington]

do you have access to the full transcription? If so could I have those? For learning purpose :D

[@isaac-pt]

Did you put in the "Doloroso" marking at the beginning? Or is that actually in the original score? (i need this for a school project so the sooner you can reply the better :) ) Thanks!

[@DavidMcCaulley]

I’m not at my computer right now, but I’m pretty sure that was in the original score.

[@isaac-pt]

@@DavidMcCaulley did you write this reduction? also where can i find the original score?

[@martinkalk8256]

@@isaac-pt have you found it?

[@musicrenz24]

There is no place for a major chord

[@taton10]

Wow!

[@ScottGlasgowMusic]

Suspensions and passing tones! @3:03 those are not add#4 chords.. no way! Simply suspensions resolving down to the 3rd. Far too many chords you analyze vertically into extended jazz chords when they are passing tones--- think horizontally too with your analysis. Where is JW going? What chord or key is he working to? Some constructive criticism you can ignore if you like. =)

[@DavidMcCaulley]

I haven’t had any collegiate-level music theory training yet, so I thrive on constructive criticism like this. Thanks!

[@bencostello7435]

Yes, but it's worth noting that these are #4(Lydian) suspensions, instead of the usual 4-3 suspension. The momentary Lydian feel is what gives the suspension even more emotional tension.

[@TB1M1]

Analysis of JW is really a waste of time, His harmonies are rarely simple . Case in point the Kylo Ren theme, you can't define those brass clusters they are 1st 2nd third inversions + 7ths and seconds. You have to hear it in your head, no use going to piano, Thats the skill.

[@bencostello7435]

@@TB1M1 Well, if you learn what patterns he uses frequently and what those patterns sound like, I think most viewers of this would hope it will help them hear and be able to notate similar things when they come into their heads

[@ScottGlasgowMusic]

@@TB1M1 I don't agree with that, analysis of JW is totally possible if you have the training to understand what he is doing. Bi-tonality, PolyChords, exotic scales, inpeccable orchestration or even clusters are understandable in the sense of what is the root note that the cluster is surrounding. Do you study Penderecki early music? Can you analyze that? Understand music, any music, is useful to me but not everyone. My main issue is thinking about anything JW does in the form of "jazz extended" harmony which I really don't believe it is! I think it is traiadic harmony with sophisticated uses (like a polychord Stravinsky style).

[@mr.vorrnyvorrn2516]

*Edward Karam* > Conrad Pope