The Music of Star Wars

Scott Speck, conductor
University of South Alabama Chorus
Mobile Opera Chorus
Eastern Shore Choral Society

Saturday, May 1, 2027 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 2, 2027 – 2:30 PM
Saenger Theatre

This concert, including intermission, is approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Please review the venue’s security policies including the use of clear bags/purses only by clicking here.

Program

Star Wars: Main Title
Star Wars Episode IV: Princess Leia’s Theme
Star Wars Episode V: The Imperial March
Star Wars Episode V: Yoda’s Theme
Star Wars Episode V: The Asteroid Field
Star Wars Episode VI: Parade of the Ewoks
Star Wars Episode IV: Cantina Band
Star Wars Episode IV: Here They Come!
Star Wars Episode VI: Luke and Leia

INTERMISSION

Star Wars Episode I: Anakin’s Theme
Star Wars Episode I: Duel of the Fates
Star Wars Episode III: Battle of Heroes
Star Wars Episode II: Across the Stars
Star Wars Episode VII: Rey’s Theme
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Rebellion is Born

TakeNote! Learn More, Enjoy More

Enhance your concert experience with Take-Note! Join music experts and explore the world of classical music from an in-depth perspective. This informative pre-concert talk begins at 6:30 p.m. before Saturday classical performances and 1:30 p.m. before Sunday classical performances in Room 1927 adjacent to the Saenger entrance on Joachim Street.

Bring the kids for FREE on Sunday!

Through MSO’s Big Red Ticket program, sponsored by Alabama Power Foundation and the Figures Foundation, students in grades K-12 can attend any classical Sunday matinee FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. It’s a great cultural opportunity and an amazing concert experience! Seats are limited, so please purchase tickets by phone at (251)432-2010. Please no children under 5 and no babies in arms. Want to bring a student on a Saturday? Student tickets are just $10.

SPECK SPEAKS

MUSIC DIRECTOR SCOTT SPECK ON THE GENIUS OF JOHN WILLIAMS AND STAR WARS

“It’s fair to say that John Williams has created the soundtrack of our lives. He certainly created the soundtrack to mine. Growing up in Boston, I was thrilled when he became the successor to Arthur Fiedler to lead the Boston  Pops. The opportunity to see him live, and watch him transform my world, was absolutely formative. Because of John Williams I initially wanted to become a film composer (before I realized that my talents lay elsewhere) — and it was that wish that led me to music school, where I learned the skills that allow me to stand in front of you tonight. 

I first became aware of John Williams in 1975, when the movie Jaws burst on the scene. Even then, as a kid, I knew that the music was something special. Not since Psycho had there been such a simple yet powerful theme. Using only two notes just a half step apart (the smallest interval in Western music), John Williams compelled us to feel the unrelenting power and terror of a great white shark.

The story goes that when John Williams first played the Jaws theme for Steven Spielberg at the piano, Spielberg said, “You’re kidding.” But he wasn’t kidding, and John Williams became the composer for nearly every Spielberg masterpiece ever since — all the way up to Disclosure Day, which he composed in 2026 at a mere 94 years of age.

Can you imagine Jaws without those two notes? For that matter, can you imagine Close Encounters without its iconic five-note melody? Or E.T. without the flying theme? Can you imagine Schindler’s List without the searing violin solo, or Harry Potter without the opening celesta tune? Superman without its unforgettable brass fanfares, Raiders of the Lost Ark without the March? How about Catch Me If You Can without the jazzy saxophone solo? Or the Olympics without his iconic fanfare? Over the years the music of John Williams has become synonymous with the spirit that we, as Americans, still strive to attain. 

Perhaps most indelibly of all, it’s impossible to imagine Star Wars without the unforgettable Leitmotifs for Luke, Leia, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Darth Vader. In fact, I’ll bet a good 50 percent of the success of Star Wars can be attributed to the music. I challenge you to watch any movie in the Star Wars canon without the soundtrack. More than almost any other movie score I can name, the music of John Williams elevated those movies to dizzying heights. Just think of that brassy B-flat major orchestral outburst at the very beginning of each movie. When I first heard it in 1977, it totally rocked my world — and yours too, I’m guessing. 

This concert traces the music of Star Wars from 1977 to 2019 — music written over 42 years, 6 months, and 25 days. (In contrast, Richard Wagner spent only 26 years on his 18-hour Ring Cycle.) We’ve collected the most iconic and memorable tunes, including the Main Title, Princess Leia’s Theme, Yoda’s Theme, the Imperial March, Cantina Band, the Asteroid Field, Anakin’s Theme, Duel of the Fates, Rey’s Theme, Battle of the Heroes, and The Rebellion is Reborn. Among many others! What a thrill to hear the way that John Williams creates and inhabits the musical world of his epic space opera, writing in one consistent style from beginning to end.

It’s been fascinating and instructive to watch the “serious” classical musical world’s attitudes toward John Williams shift over the past three decades. Like Rachmaninoff and Aaron Copland, John Williams was initially not taken seriously in academic circles, because he was “too popular” — his music was considered too accessible, too easy to understand, too readily appealing to the emotions. I remember that early in my career, all serious orchestras shunned his music, except in the occasional “movie pops” concert. But like Copland in his day, John Williams has now become the Dean of American composers. Five years ago, for the first time, he conducted his music with the venerated (and notoriously stodgy) Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. And they requested Darth Vader’s Theme!

What caused this shift? Many will say it’s because, over the course of a 70-year career, he proved his mastery and versatility by composing in practically every musical style known to man. But I think it’s a lot simpler than that. I think it’s because all of  today’s discerning voices — critics, academics, artistic administrators, and orchestra musicians alike — grew up watching Star Wars.

By the time of this concert, John Williams will be 95 years old. We wish him continued health and success, and I hope the fact that he is one of our favorite American heroes brings him some measure of satisfaction. Thank you, John Williams!”

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