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Complete Catalogue of the Motivic Material in

Star Wars, Episodes I-VIII


Leitmotif Criteria
1) Distinctiveness: Musical idea has a clear and unique melody, without being wholly derived from, subsidiary section within, or attached to, another motif.
2) Recurrence: Musical idea is intentionally repeated more than two times across more than two discrete cues, and within in the final mix of the soundtrack.
3) Variation: Musical idea’s repetitions are not exact.
4) Intentionality: Musical idea’s repetitions are compositionally intentional, and do not require undue analytical detective-work to notice.

Principal Leitmotif Criteria (Indicated in boldface)


5) Abundance: Musical idea occurs in more than one film, and with more than ten iterations overall.
6) Meaningfulness: Musical idea attaches to an important subject or symbol, and accrues additional meaning through repetition in different contexts.
7) Development: Musical idea is not only varied, but subjected to compositionally significant development and transformation across its iterations.

Incidental Motifs
Not all themes are created equal. Materials which are repeated across distinct cues but which do not meet criteria for proper leitmotifs are included within
category of Incidental Motifs. Themes for self-contained, non-repeating set-pieces are not included in this category, no matter how memorable or iconic. (Sorry,
"Asteroid Field," that means you!). Non-melodic recurrent materials (harmonies, timbres) not included, except rhythmic patterns with prominent harmonic
component. Most incidental motifs require additional explanation, which is provided in third column of table.

Naming and Listing Conventions


Motifs are listed in order of first clear statement in chronologically oldest film, according to latest release (Amazon.com streaming versions used). Original
themes for Michael Giacchino's score for Rogue One not included, but uses of pre-existing Williams themes in Rogue One are (listed as "R").

Motif labels based on usage, composer's titles when available. Many motifs used in a semantically imprecise or changeable way; labels may thus be somewhat
arbitrary or open to interpretation. See Matthew Bribitzer-Stull, Understanding the Leitmotif (2015) for further treatment of this issue.

A number of themes have both A and B sections, like Main/Luke, Han & Leia, Across the Stars. I include B-themes when they are heard detached in underscore.

Chord symbols are provided for themes w/ consistent tertian harmonization. More sustained analysis of individual themes has been performed by Mark Richards.

List includes retroactively inserted or tracked themes (e.g. Jabba's Theme in Episode IV Special Edition). Leitmotif listing does not take into account unused or
partially cut cues, but catalogue of Incidental Motifs does. Exception: the final act of AOTC is such a musical mess that reused and tracked materials not treated
as motivic (e.g. Chase through Coruscant, various cues from TPM).

Hyperlinks are provided for particularly clear or iconic renditions of a given motif.
This catalogue is adapted from a more thorough and detailed investigation published in
JOHN WILLIAMS: MUSIC FOR FILMS, TELEVISION, AND CONCERT STAGE (edited by Emilio Audissino, Centro Studi Opera Luigi Boccherini, 2018).
This catalogue is a work in progress and may be subject to revision and elaboration.
Materials herein are based on research and transcriptions of the author, Frank Lehman (frank.lehman@tufts.edu),
and may not be reprinted without permission. Updated January 3, 2018.
Original Trilogy Themes
Theme Label Melodic Basic Idea or Incipit Underscore Uses Initial Statement

Main/Luke A 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,R 4 [0:00:28]

Main/Luke B 4.6 4 [1:28:41]

Rebel Fanfare 3,4,5,6,7,8, R 4 [0:02:06]

Force/Obi Wan/
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,R 4 [0:04:53]
All-Purpose

Leia 3,4,5,6,7,8,R 4 [0:05:07]

Imperial Troops 4, R 4 [0:06:40]

Imperial Ships/
4,6,8,R 4 [0:08:48]
Death Star

Jawas 4 4 [0:12:58]

Jabba 1,4,6 4 [0:52:44]

Here They Come!/


Millennium Falcon 4,6,8 4 [1:34:34]
Throne Room 4,6 4 [1:59:24]

Darth Vader/
1,2,3,5,6,7,8 5 [0:01:55]
Imperial March

Han & Leia/Han 5,6,7,8 5 [0:03:32]

Droids 5 5 [0:06:44]

Yoda 1,2,3,5,6,8 5 [0:49:43]

Boba Fett 5 5 [1:06:13]

Lando/Cloud City 5 5 [1:21:31]

Emperor/
1,2,3,6,8 6 [0:38:17]
Dark Side

Ewok March 6 6 [1:03:50]

Ewok Horn Call 6 6 [1:05:50]

Luke & Leia 6,8 6 [1:20:24]


Prequel Trilogy Themes
Theme Label Melodic Basic Idea or Incipit Underscore Uses Initial Statement

Droid March 1,2,3 1 [0:10:11]

Darth Maul 1 1 [0:27:43]

Jar Jar 1 1 [0:28:55]

Young Anakin 1,2,3 1 [0:32:41]

Qui Gon 1 1 [1:11:08]

Shmi 1,2, (3?) 1 [1:15:00]

Duel of the Fates


1,2,3 1 [1:46:36]
A (Theme)

Duel of the Fates B


1,2,3 1 [1:50:18]
(Fanfare)

Duel of the Fates C


1,2,3 1 [1:50:30]
(Ostinato)

Death/Funeral 1,3 1 [2:07:17]

Conspiracy 2 2 [0:04:21]
Gloomy Courtship 2,3
2 [0:09:50]

Across the Stars


2,3 2 [0:29:06]
(Anakin & Padme)

Pastoral Courtship 2 2 [0:47:46]

Anakin's Descent/
2,3 2 [1:24:02]
Dies Irae

General Grievous 3 3 [0:08:18]

Battle of the
3,8 3 [1:47:53]
Heroes
Sequel Trilogy Themes
Theme Label Melodic Basic Idea or Incipit Underscore Uses Initial Statement

Map 7 7 [0:02:40]

Kylo Ren A
7,8 7 [0:06:11]
(Aggressive)

Kylo Ren B
7,8 7 [0:26:30]
(Hesitant)

Kylo Ren C
7,8 7 [1:30:31]
(Menacing)

First Order 7 7 [0:09:32]

Rey A
7,8 7 [0:12:16]
(Primary)

Rey B
7,8 7 [0:11:38]
(Chimes)

Poe 7,8 7 [0:21:53]

Pursuit/Finn 7 7 [0:30:00]

Snoke 7,8 7 [0:51:50]


March of the
7,8 7 [1:15:27]
Resistance A

March of the
Resistance B 7,8 7 [0:58:27]
(Bridge)

Tension 7,8 7 [1:43:03]

7 [2:05:10]
Jedi Steps 7,8

8 [0:20:20]
Luke in Exile 8

8
Desperation 8 [0:28:06]

8 [0:38:28]
Rose 8
Incidental Motifs and Themes

Theme Label Uses Clear Statement Notes


Loose assortment of characteristic march rhythm, often with triplets or Holstian
Imperial Rhythm 4, etc. 4 [0:02:30] asymmetrical patterns; used primarily for Empire and First Order. First version
only in ANH.
Loosely motivic musical topic for landing on alien planets, generally Tatooine
Planetary Descent Figure 1,2,5 4 [0:07:21] (ANH: Imperial Attack, concert arrangement of Throne Room). Versions in
TPM and AOTC closely related.
Dotted rhythm chromatic figure, prominently featured in ANH's Jawa cues,
Scum and Villainy 5 4 [0:14:34] closely related to Dianoga material tracked into Mos Eisley arrival.
Phrygian motif associated with stormtroopers in ANH, generally in conjunction
Imperial Troops Ostinato 5 4 [0:55:04] with Imperial Motif
Tonic/submediant motion redolent of Imperial March. Used sparingly in ANH,
Imperial March Precursor 4,6 4 [1:13:27] once prominently in ROTJ: Luke's Escape from Death Star (underneath
Main/Luke theme).
Most prominent of a number of new motifs appearing in ANH's Battle of Yavin,
Octatonic Battle Motif 4,6 4 [1:48:16] several of which later reworked into ROTJ's Sail Barge Battle and
Superstructure Chase.
Rapidly descending scale segments, important aspect of beginning of End
Heroic Descending Tetrachords 4 4 [1:36:42] Credits, only prominently featured underscore in ANH's Battle of Yavin
Rapid repeated note accompaniment figure, tracked from ESB's Hyperspace to
Ominous Ostinato 5, R (?) 5 [0:15:17] Snow-Speeder Rescue.
Recurrent intervallic pattern across ESB, most notably in Magic Cave and
Ominous Neighbor Figure 5,6 5 [1:04:45] Losing a Hand cues; tracked into ROTJ's Death Star Core cue
Prominent melodic gesture in ESB's Losing a Hand and Hyperspace sequences;
Ominous Upwards Arpeggio 5 5 [1:53:23] continuation of Ominous Neighbor Figure.
Important part of unused cues in ESB and Yoda's Theme concert arrangement;
Yoda (B Theme) 5 5 [0:56:10] in actual film only heard in Jedi Master Revealed and End Credits
Middle section of Imperial March concert arrangement, transformed in ROTJ
Imperial March (Bridge) 6 6 [0:02:40] Approaching the Death Star and "It's A Trap" cues
Triumphant fanfare featured at end of Sail Barge Battle in ROTJ, with slight
Lydian Fanfare 6 6 [0:35:31] variant at end of Battle of Endor.
Subtle motif in ROTJ associated with revelation of "another Skywalker,"
Revelatory Arpeggios 6 6 [0:35:31] product of thematic transformation.
Ravelian parallel triadic writing during ROTJ: Battle of Endor, and numerous
Cascading Trumpet Lines 6 6 [1:26:44] other inexact moments throughout series as a orchestrational topic.
Iconic melody for ROTJ's "It's A Trap," ascends to motivic status by
Baroque Battle Motif 6, R 6 [1:34:10] transformed usage in RO

Ewok Casualties 6 6 [1:43:14] Twice repeated mournful theme during ROTJ's Battle of Endor

Debussyian modal triadic sequence, part of chorus of ROTJ: SE's Victory


Sentimental Modal Progression 6 6 [2:06:16] Celebration, faintly echoed in TPM "It's Working" and AOTC's Across the
Stars theme
Unpitched "Korah, Rathama" derived from Duel of the Fates at various points in
Sith Whispers 1 1 [0:04:16] TPM

Water World 1 1 [0:13:15] Chromatic choral writing for approach and departure from Otoh Gunga in TPM

Horner-esque variant of lydian opening phrase of Young Anakin motif, used on


Anakin Variant 1 1 [0:36:25] handful of occasions in TPM, esp. Battle of Naboo. Incidentally echoes with
"Rose's Theme" in TLJ, also theme from "Ghost Train"
Quiet discursive string music, used in TPM (Talk of Podracing, Battle of Naboo
Neutral Conversation Music 1, 7 1 [0:41:37] aftermath) and TFA (Finn's Confession)
Initially one of numerous brassy fanfares associated with cutaways and
Coruscant Fanfare 1,3 1 [1:36:36] landings/departures from Coruscant. Notable for being reused for Blockade
Runner reveal in ROTS.
Regal theme heard at several junctures in AOTC, most prominently during
Jedi Business 2 2 [1:27:58] communication between Jedi Council and Anakin/Padme on Tatooine
Recurrent figure outlining minor triads in AOTC, closely but not exclusively
Ominous Arpeggios 2 2 [0:41:06] tied to planet of Kamino
Mournful horn phrase with characteristic rising minor sixth, used twice in
Shmi Death 2 2 [1:27:20] AOTC, once tracked from Shmi's Funeral
Closely related to Droid March, heavily cut from original context in AOTC but
Arena/Republic March 2, 3 2 [1:48:25] reworked through tracking as de facto theme for Republic in ROTS.
Brassy gesture appearing during duel with Dooku in AOTC, with a cut variant
Chromatic Interjection 2 2 [2:07:19] during Arena Battle cue
Pounding bass drum figure, mostly (?) inserted after the fact into several cues in
Battle Drums 3 3 [0:01:43] ROTS. Not known if used by Williams's choice. Similar material in Phasma
fight in TLJ
Expansive chromatic theme, used three times in ROTS (Another Happy
Happy Landing 3 3 [0:23:24] Landing, and beginning & ending of Landing on Utapau scenes)
Slippery motif appearing in middle of ROTS: Opera Sequence, with a few
Sith Mystery 3 3 [0:45:08] similar but inexactly related motifs elsewhere in ROTS (including cut cues)
Lengthy, discursive choral set-piece used in ROTS: Order 66 scene and
Lament 3 3 [1:20:55] Anakin/Padme/Obi Wan confrontation on Mustafar. Some elements drawn from
Dies Irae figure (and thus Anakin's descent material)
Banging, rhythmically irregular minor triads throughout ROTS, with similar
Apocalyptic Repeated Minor Triads 3 3 [1:55:37] figures used throughout rest of series (esp. with Holstian echoes)
Minor triad outlining accompaniment figure, detaches slightly from BotH theme
Battle of the Heroes (Ostinato) 3 3 [1:51:40] during ROTS: Boys Continue

Battle of the Heroes (Secondary Theme) 3 3 [1:51:39] Metrically asymmetrical motif, distinct from main horn melody of ROTS: BotH

Expansive Positive Phrase 7 7 [0:16:29] Heard twice in TFA, at conclusion of Rey Meets BB8 and after R2 wakes up

Racing minor mode figure used in TFA during "I Can Fly Anything" and "The
Chase Ostinato 7 7 [0:21:22] Resistance" sequences
Propulsive figure that sets up Rey's thematic introduction, heard sparingly
Rey (Gallop) 7, 8 7 [0:11:48] except in underscore in TFA and TLJ
Slightly broader alternative first half to Rey's primary theme, used twice in TFA
Rey (Variant) 7 7 [0:11:38] underscore (running from Maz's Castle, escape from Starkiller base scenes)
String-based elegy set-piece, used in TFA during Starkiller Base destroying
Tragedy 7 7 [1:08:15] Republic and Han's death scenes
Small heroic motif, based on ibVII progression, derived from bridge section
Resistance Heroic Gesture 8 8 [0:08:00]
of March of the Resistance, used in opening and closing battles in TLJ
Sped-up, close relative to Sibelius 2/iv-style Luke in Exile theme, not really
Luke in Exile Fanfare 8 8 [0:21:30] detachable from it, except in concert arrangement "Rebellion is Reborn"
Dissonant, clamorous chromatic phase used in opening and closing battles of
Catastrophe 8 8 [0:08:55] TLJ, and AT-AT attack on Luke. Among several elements repeated between
opening and closing battles.
Twisted chromatic phrase, genetically related to Imperial March, heard in
Snoke's Chamber 8 8 [1:43:05] Snoke's chamber as he goads Ren to kill Rey; hinted at in previous scene
between Rey and Ren in elevator

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