STAR WARS Main Titles (Orchestral Reduction by tomekkobialka - Film Score Special)

pf: London Symphony Orchestra cond/ John Williams
Track begins at 0:22.
Music composed by John Williams for the 1977 movie "Star Wars".
I made this reduction for fun a few months ago, just because I was interested in seeing how this piece of music was orchestrated. Eventually I thought I would share it for everybody else's enjoyment, especially in advance of "The Force Awakens", the 7th film installment in the Star Wars franchise.
As with Grieg's Peer Gynt suite, I decided to voice some tutti chords separately, which would be too complex to properly label on the reduction (these are labelled and referenced with encircled numbers). The voicings can be downloaded here as a pdf file:
www.dropbox.co...
This piece is very complex (almost as complex as the Poem of Ecstasy!) so I am sure there are a few mistakes to be found. This is only meant to be as a guide, not as a definite reference. If you want to make sure that everything's correct, get the full score!
ERRATA:
Bar 3 - Harp glissando should have Db
Bar 8 to 9 - Ignore Bb tremolo on third staff

[@CosmicTeapot]

Fun fact: John Williams intentionally wrote the Star Wars Opening Title in Bb major knowing that the 20th century fox fanfare was in the same key in order to maintain musical continuity between the two !

[@mydogskips2]

Interesting tidbit, but personally I think it's a bit overrated. I mean, there is no real continuity, there's a very clear break between the two works(which I might add is very well taken advantage of with the use of the textual prologue, i.e. "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...") The 20th Century Fox fanfare has a very definite ending and is clearly a self-contained piece in and of itself, just because they are both written in the same key doesn't necessarily mean the Star Wars theme is an extension. It works so well because they are both great pieces of music.

[@CosmicTeapot]

@@mydogskips2 I don't think you understood what I was saying at all. Of course there is a clear break between the two (in fact there's a good 4-5 seconds of silence) and of course the Star Wars theme is not an extension of the XXth Century Fox fanfare, that's not what I meant by musical continuity. I was only referring to William's choice of tonality. As you said so yourself, the fanfare has a very definite ending... and that ending is a big perfect cadenza that sits on the tonic chord (Bb major). If the Star Wars theme was for example in A major, or god forbid, in E major, you'd have a really weird feeling moving from one to the other harmonically because that Bb chord is still resonating in your head. Staying in Bb major avoids that. A simple little trick but with great effects. :)

[@rkwittem]

You got it backwards.

[@johnaayyy3424]

Wow, this is the most condensed score I've ever seen.

[@billbusen]

Never conducted a school band, I see.

[@Chopy61]

Never saw the score for Lincolnshire posy i assume

[@johnmillholland6550]

2:09 strait out of Holst The Planets - Mars. Amazing to finally see this in score - thank you so much for posting!!!

[@HANSMKAMP]

I love seeing this and other famous music pieces in score. I prefer reduced score, because that is more readable than detailed (not reduced) scores.

[@aSongScout]

How long did this take!?

[@AccentVocal]

You are amazing for putting this together! Thank you, what a great resource!

[@MaxTooney]

Wow, there's always a LOT going on in a John Williams score. Simply amazing. Many thanks for providing this score reduction. These are always interesting to study and to learn from

[@Jbm0230]

John Williams is a Genius!

[@hobogoat2]

+Jacob Moreno no, Gustav Holst is a genius. John Williams is a hack

[@AnthonyBerlin]

+Brett Newman Everyone borrows. Holst did too. That's what art is. Taking what you know and doing your own thing with it. Nothing is original. Everything is lifted, mixed with a little luck. And I'm guessing you haven't actually analysed any of his scores fully? My question is, if all JW is is a hack, then could you please produce a similar piece of music, using the same "borrowing" that you seem to think requires no skills? Also, know your facts. First of all, the nod to The Planets in Star Wars is on purpose, and second of all, JW got more from Korngold than Holst, if we're going to be picky about where he got his inspiration.

[@herrlogan17]

+Anthony Berlin You are absolutely right. Not everyone knows about inspiration of classical musicians. Every single classical composer has made these steps in his own work! And despite of Williams contribution in film music, he is a classical composer. And he is using classical principles when making soundtracks.

[@tomekkobialka]

+Anthony Berlin The key point is, as you say, that Williams made the allusion to Mars on purpose. The "plagiarism" occurs from 1:57 to 2:24, especially the chords from 2:08, which sound like the chords just before the ending of Mars. In the film, this section plays when the Star Destroyer is shooting at the rebel spaceship, just after the main titles crawl. So what we see on our screens is the "Bringer of War" (i.e. the Empire) in action - it makes total sense, then, for Williams to reference a piece called "Mars, the Bringer of War". And especially in a film titled "Star Wars"!

[@hobogoat2]

herrlogan17 I love the score to Star Wars. I love most of what John Williams does with the score. My problem with this movie score in particular, however, is the overwhelming praise John Williams gets for a score that he "borrowed" quite a bit of. I just do not believe John Williams deserves the praise he gets!

[@danielwoodwardcomposer2040]

0:22 The opening is incredible!

[@ApplepieFTW]

Jesus that's a pretty damn complex piece

[@mattvarner9109]

Condensed scores make me scream in fear... Very good music and composition anyway!!

[@MePeterNicholls]

What a phenomenal brass section

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Awesome... This will help teach young composers how to do it

[@Metalpazallteway]

I feel like John Williams should hide under a bunker away from all the Coronavirus exposure.... We can't lose him!!!!!! He's too valuable...

[@Vanadain]

We most probably don't have any pandemic right now. So Williams will be alright. Politicians lie! Wake up!

[@Metalpazallteway]

@@Vanadain That could be so but remember if you get the virus somehow and do get affected terribly, don't blame the government as if they did not warn.

[@Vanadain]

@@Metalpazallteway Probably most people have or had that virus and recovered without symptoms. Rest will have it in about 1,5 years time. If you have weak body, you surely catch something. If not corona, something else. Start healing chronic stress, stop radiating yourself like mad man and you'll be alright. Act like you think and allow emotions running through your whole body and nothing other than accident can touch you.

[@Metalpazallteway]

@@Vanadain True. I agree but it be nice to take some degree of precaution

[@troyandrade435]

@@Vanadain I completely agree.

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

I love the transitions at 1:32 and 1:57, so effective!

[@gatomontes99]

Great orchestration!!!

[@afroman255]

That final note though

[@thedylanshipley]

Thanks for this, awesome work tomekkobialka!

[@Ayokalyb]

Ah, the old harp glissando cliche. 10/10

[@tomekkobialka]

What They Don't Want You to Know #1: Everything sounds better when you slap a harp glissando on top. ;)

[@tuskinekinase]

Harp glissando is like the bacon of orchestral music.

[@bencrouch308]

If not played correctly, the oboe is the broccoli.

[@whiskyngeets]

+Ben Crouch All of this is correct

[@TempodiPiano]

What is a broccoli?

[@johncomposer]

Great presentation--a lot easier than following a full score!

[@aleahmccraney7606]

I'm in Semmes middle school advanced band I'm in seventh grade and my band director has us playing star wars songs for our spring contest (the main title, the imperial march, princess laia's and Anakin's love song and a couple other songs) they were hard to play at first but they are easy once you get the hang of them.

[@gg-lz5qq]

A Leah mccraney original or abridged?

[@ChristianPaulson-Music]

Did I read or hear something about John writing the first chord the same as the last chord of the the movie studio theme? I might be nuts.

[@jalaeluawaterhousecomposer]

Christian Paulson You’re not nuts! The 20th Century Fox fanfare and the Main Title are in the same key! Apparently John Williams meant the theme to be an extension to Alfred Newman’s fanfare.

[@SamLipman]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing this hard work.

[@redevv]

Thank you! It's great to have this jewel!

[@JohanHerrenberg]

In the final bars you can hear an echo of William Walton's 'Crown Imperial' march... Great reduction, btw!

[@spookety902]

I’m getting a hint of mars from the planets in this

[@EllieMcEla]

Hey could you make a reduction of the ligeti piano concerto?

[@GwcMuso]

Excellent work on putting the Finale score together!

[@oscarmike1131]

was a bit of a challenge to keep up but thanks for the hard work

[@Piratebreadstick]

Wonderful work, thank you.

[@DomisylirAppallith]

I enjoy the Gustav Holst references in this work.

[@spenspen3]

with great force😂😂

[@raphaelbeinhauer9242]

Spencer Vandigriff And Hn. Solo

[@giftheck]

This is the 1996 recording IIRC: I have it on one of my John Williams compilation CDs.

[@tomekkobialka]

+ggctuk2011 Yep! It's from the "John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999" compilation album.

[@AlejandroSanAntonio]

+ggctuk2011 Hey! Your photo is like my dog! :D Which brand of dog you have? Cause I don't know which one is my dog. :(

[@benzecker]

Great job and thanks for sharing. I do have to say that the optimized/blank staves are a terror to look at. Would love to see this without the optimization

[@shilloshillos]

GOOD LORD! This is AWESOME!!!

[@MrBrandenBurn]

0:30 Korngold “Kings Row”

[@chbuschmann]

As a fellow musicologist: Absolutely smashing work!

[@alejandrodmsosa]

so great job man so helpfull!

[@triple_croche]

5:07 First bar fourth beat, I think that the Eb (semiquaver) in the "Strings-Piano-Piccolo-Oboe" pattern should be natural (also in the following measure). But I am not entirely sure... It is just weird to have that Eb with the G major chord harmony

[@tomekkobialka]

Yes, it is a mistake, it should be E natural. My subconscious was thinking "4th degree of Bb major".

[@triple_croche]

tomekkobialka That does not taint your transcription at all though, great work !

[@zoltan902]

Wow. This is what JW's orignal sketches might have resembled (from which Herbert Spencer did the full orchestration).

[@MikeyIV]

This is amazing work great job :) So good for studying

[@Gusrikh1]

Lovely...

[@tigger3496]

It is quite difficult to understand ,at least for Mesa

[@tomekkobialka]

+Ivan Leong Don't worry, I'm reducing "The Adventures of Jar Jar Binks" right now. :)

[@dertechl6628]

Thanks for uploading!

[@JohnMassari]

Excellent reduction!

The World Health Organization advises not to read bars 84 and 85 if you have a cardiopathy, as it may lead to an aneurysm.

[@dannys-pianoconnections5169]

GREAT

[@MaximilianLoerzer]

Amazing!

[@kevinhuang8916]

i like the switch from b-flat to a minor

[@TheMaestro2005]

i just got the violin part to this and the concert is less than a month i'll have to find some time to practice because holy shit

[@cristinamelo7701]

Top! 10!

[@southscholz]

I tried using this score as a reference myself, some notes happened to be off and yes its SO condensed lol. Thank you for this score tho its helpful

[@tomekkobialka]

Yes, there are quite a few mistakes in this. This is mainly intended just to get a taste of the complexity of the piece, not proper analysis, for which I would suggest getting the full score.

[@francescoalemannomusic9300]

I would very much like to see the full original score :)

[@mydogskips2]

There's a video with it here somewhere on YT. The notes are small, but it is the full score. John Williams: Star Wars Suite (with Score) kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSkmox_raeqepI&ab_channel=Silfimur

[@francescoalemannomusic9300]

Thank you so much 🙏🏽

[@MrBrandenBurn]

2:27 Korngold “Kings Row”

[@laurenzt.3848]

Lit

[@timefilm]

So if I just throw a bunch of dots on a page it'll sound magnificent?

[@tomekkobialka]

Pretty much how it works, yeh ;)

[@mydogskips2]

Yes, if you're John Williams.

[@danilocamus7126]

Gracias por tu trabajo, es magnífico. Es posible descargar esta secuencia de partitura desde algún link?

[@MusicLoveAndPixiedust1]

Hi!! This is amazing! I tried downloading the pdf but it seems like the link is broken.

[@avadakedavra9500]

Good arrangement. The only thing bothering me was the time signature was supposed to be in 5/4 not 4/4 then 2/2.

[@avadakedavra9500]

+Blair Smith-Herbert Omg! So I've been conducting this wrong this whole time????

[@martinmellacarames464]

Epic.

[@AdamxApple94]

Amazing! I apologize if this sounds like a criticism (it's not) but I always sort of pictured the very first opening theme to be in 4/4 instead of 2/2, but such a change wouldn't change anything except for all the other parts subdividing haha

[@zacharymckinnon6832]

+Adam's Obsidian I thought the same thing a while ago until i learned that the original is in 2/2. I always wonder why he did it that way.

[@tomekkobialka]

+Zachary McKinnon Maybe it represents the orchestra jumping into hyperspace?

[@AnthonyBerlin]

+Sabreas I'm guessing it is to avoid 1/32 and 1/64 notes. Easier to read.

[@Whatismusic123]

I counted it in 2/2 personally

[@Schiborr]

Very cool,but unfortunately the DB File is not available anymore. Would it be possible to re-upload it?

[@tomekkobialka]

Should be working now. Dropbox keeps changing its URL format. >:(

[@erforthlarsen4]

I'll be more than happy to help you to get the layout right. It is almost impossible to read..... But it's a damn god arrangement!!! :D

[@mydogskips2]

A damn god arrangement. :D Haha

Its not an arrangement, its a reduction of the actual score with the original soundtrack being played in the background. Because its a reduction, its used for composers to study and for it to be conventionally easy to read. It doesn't need to be in the proper "layout".

[@Superphilipp]

Does anybody still have the pdf somewhere?

[@OmegaTakenZ]

How does it work I don't understand how the musicians can read this

[@bennyksmusicalworld]

Could somebody get me the original full score and tomekkobialka's please? I really want to transcribe this into a piano solo piece

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

+Ben Kim tomekkobialka's is in the description

[@AnthonyBerlin]

+ikschrijflangenamen Where? All I can find is a pdf with some of the tutti voicings.

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

Anthony Berlin Ah, you're right. Excuse me for being slightly stupid.

[@BobBeverage]

A bit hard to follow since the parts jump around on the pages, and you have to read the tiny print to see who's playing what on each staff. Would be easier if the brasses were all grouped, strings grouped, etc.

[@tomekkobialka]

If the sections were all grouped as you describe, then you would inevitably end up with duplicate voices whenever brass double strings etc. The whole point of a reduction like this is to get rid of as many such duplicates as possible. I take your point about the tiny print, though I don't expect anybody to be able to follow everything while listening with the music! The important thing is that, in theory, if a person were to take a single frame from this video, they should be able to reconstruct the full score from it...in theory. This particular reduction was my first one with instrument markings and it pretty much fails the test at every second. I think I do a better job with my later reductions (like "Clever Girl"), but getting 100% reproducibility whilst getting the score to look "aesthetically pleasing" can sometimes be almost impossible, especially when you have lots of instruments playing at the same time.

[@BobBeverage]

@@tomekkobialka Yes, what you write is true about duplicate voices. I guess for me, I'd rather see the sections grouped and let the duplications be. I believe in most condensed scores, sections are grouped. Conductors would rather keep things in a predictable place on the page, but no one is conducting from your rendition, so what you did is perfectly fine. In fact, it's better the way you did it in order to see how things relate harmonically, which may have been your intent. Thank you.

[@daviddebonomalta]

Check out my piano cover of Leia's theme! I think you'll like it! :)

[@ginnaaleman2910]

porfavor denmen el ultimo pedasito de starwars main title en notas

[@maxjonak6742]

For example, the 1st trumpet part during the melody is GGG C G FED C G FED C G FEFD not FFF Bb F and so on

[@tomekkobialka]

That's because the notes are written in concert pitch. Play a Bb major chord, then play a C major chord. That should answer your query.

[@mydogskips2]

+Max Jonak It's called transposing. And Tomekkobialka is correct, a full score generally has the notes indicated as the musicians themselves would see them written on their music sheets, so while the score may notate the notes you mention above for the trumpet, GGG C ..., the notes/pitches which are actually heard would be different for a transposing instrument(which the standard trumpet which is tuned in Bb is). If you notice, the piece is written in Bb major, and a trumpet tuned in Bb would actually play the piece written in C, that is the music would be transposed into the key of C because it will actually sound like Bb when it is played by a Bb trumpet. What Tomekkobialka has done with his score reduction is transpose the different parts into their actual "concert" pitches which are the notes which are heard. In doing so he has potentially made it much easier for the reader because they don't have to do that themselves.

[@菅野茂-u1g]

スコアなんか初めて見た！

[@maxwellkowal3065]

why am i not convinced that this is the actual score.

[@tomekkobialka]

+Maxwell Kowal This is a condensed score based on the Star Wars concert suite.

[@maxwellkowal3065]

ooooooookay

[@AnthonyBerlin]

+Maxwell Kowal It says right in the title. "Reduction".

[@smarthalayla1549]

Was that made in Sibelius?

[@bennyksmusicalworld]

This resembles a symphony of Prokofiev..

[@ChristianPaulson-Music]

I hear a little Wagner and Stravinsky too.

[@bordeauxcolor]

This resembles John Williams

[@oscarmike1131]

Quick question, shouldn't it be the celli playing the theme around the 3:42 mark instead of the violas?

[@tomekkobialka]

Vcl = cellos

[@oscarmike1131]

tomekkobialka oops sorry about that

[@РоманКостів-ц9и]

Tomekko , do you have original movie scores?

[@kevycanavan]

Does sibelius do this condensing automatically or it it other software?

[@tomekkobialka]

I do the condensing myself. Notation software is Finale.

[@kevycanavan]

@@tomekkobialka amazing job.

[@maxjonak6742]

Did you lower it one note so it wouldn't get copyrighted?

[@RedZed1974]

Do you think Holst ever heard of John Williams? :P

[@jaredhughes556]

Zed O'Haughy I think it was more the other way around. Holst’s “The Planets” were used as a temp track for the original Star Wars, which John Williams then took heavy inspiration from to write this score! Great music on both sides!

[@CosmicTeapot]

Holst wrote the planets in 1917...

[@calatria2949]

Did you do this by ear or referencing the full score? (which I didn't even know was available!)

[@tomekkobialka]

+calatria2949 Full score! (by ear would defeat the purpose)

[@calatria2949]

Well, it would show you've got a fricken incredible ear! I don't feel so bad now :-)

[@tomekkobialka]

+calatria2949 There are some instruments which honestly I think would be impossible to pick out in this recording, even by a "perfect" ear. For example, the runs beginning at 5:07 - where can you hear a piano in there? One could at best assume that a piano is there to add definition to the runs (i.e. more attack), but I couldn't hear it at all. If it is there then it's very well disguised by the strings/wind and I might only notice it if I compared this performance with one where the piano is absent (even then I probably wouldn't be able to put a finger on *what* exactly is missing). So by referencing the full score I can help people discover not only what instruments they are hearing but also what instruments they might not be recognizing (as is the case for me and the piano in those aforementioned runs). Anyway I hope you enjoyed the video! :)

[@arugula_fan]

+tomekkobialka where did you find the full score?

[@AnthonyBerlin]

+Luis Through Hal Leonard most likely.

[@leunge0]

pdf up for download????

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

+Elliot Leung Description

[@leunge0]

+ikschrijflangenamen is the short score available for download too?

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

Elliot Leung The score in the video can be downloaded from the link in the description.

[@leunge0]

+ikschrijflangenamen I only found the chord voicings though :c. Am i missing something?

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

I'm sorry, I was wrong.

[@Stella26498]

FVOE Fanfare heread

[@Digital_Turtle_]

What program did you use to make the reduction?

[@George040270]

Why are there measures missing?

[@musical_lolu4811]

They're noteless measures, for easier reading, clown.

[@100smeepers]

Mars lol

[@agaragar8100]

thought same lol

[@skrimbily]

0:21

[@maxjonak6742]

Why do you put these all in different keys

[@tomekkobialka]

Don't understand what you mean. I haven't changed the key.

[@mydogskips2]

+Max Jonak "Why do you put these all in different keys ?" Probably because that is how John Williams wrote it. If our host will both permit and forgive me, here is a link to a video with the full score if you want to see it. John Williams: Star Wars Suite (with Score) kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSkmox_raeqepI The notes are much smaller making them nearly impossible to read, but if you look really closely you may be able to make them out if you are interested.

[@nine96six]

존나브라보

[@Piano_Reimagined]

Cut time

[@nine96six]

이영상 만든애 인지용 권지용

[@piotr9914]

wow. what library did you use? don't say vienna...

[@tomekkobialka]

This is the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Williams!

[@justinmason893]

Yes, and the London Symphony orchestra was the orchestra used for that movie.

[@mydogskips2]

No, not, long, long ago, but A Long Time Ago, in a galaxy far, far away. STAR WARS

I really don't see how people think this is an arrangement :/ Excellent reduction though, I love your channel

[@leonardorodriguez-fw9vu]

Easy

[@TempodiPiano]

So boring and pretentious. Amount of billions dollars for 6 minutes...

[@mydogskips2]

No one is claiming that this is high culture art music, I mean it's a film score. If it is boring and pretentious it's only because of the immense popularity of the music and how much it's been heard. One could maybe say the same of Beethoven's 5th symphony or Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto, the widespread popularity of such tunes has rendered them somewhat banal due to overexposure. But such a development should actually be a testament to the greatness of the work, not detract from it.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Jealousy is ugly. So's hate.

[@Fablins-kt9ti]

@@mydogskips2 this is high culture art music, case closed.

[@CosmicTeapot]

" Amount of billions dollars for 6 minutes..." What on earth is that supposed to mean? Did you find your English skills in the same dumpster you found your personality?

[@ASMR_HWD]

What program did you use??

[@tomekkobialka]

+Zacarias Olivarez Finale

[@ASMR_HWD]

+tomekkobialka thank you for the reply. It would be great if you could post a video on how to notate this is finale. :)