Star Wars was created during the postmodernism phase and more specifically the neoclassic phase. Neoclassicism was marked by a return to the classical period. The full orchestra was used again, the music had a post romantic style, there was constant underscoring, and there was use of leitmotifs and themes. There were also some romantic elements including the theme of a mysterious past and the sights and sounds that were used to create an emotional response.
The first element I noticed in Star Wars was the wall to wall underscoring. After recently watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid I was surprised at how much music there was in Star Wars. I also noticed that the music was again using the full orchestra and that all of the pieces had a distinct melody. Unlike the music used in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the music in Star Wars was very concert like and harmonious. The music used throughout the film also aided the action on scene without being too dramatic or clichéd. During the fight scene on the space ship at the end the music was pretty constant with only a few dramatic pauses, but it was very quite and in the background. Occasionally the music did become louder as the scene would get more dramatic and the notes would become more staccato, but overall the effect that music had on the scene was very powerful without being over the top. I really feel like the music used in Star Wars was the best example of film music we have heard so far. The music increased the drama, helped us to understand a character's feelings through leitmotifs, and the music was beautiful. While listening to the film I felt like the entire score could easily have been played as a symphonic concert.
2 comments:
I agree. I enjoyed the music in this film and thought it did a good job of propelling the movie forward. It really did help set up the "villainous" feelings towards Darth Vader, while still sounding harmonious. I liked how you compared it to Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid. They are really different. However, I think that while the wall to wall music in Star Wars is helpful to the movie, lots of music might have just been to much for Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid. I think the amount of music for that movie was perfect, and the amount of music for Star Wars was perfect for Star Wars. Sometimes the amount of music needed is based about the movie and the way a producer and composer think music is needed. But is it really interesting to look at the two and compare them!
I agree, this film is in stark contrast to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, not only because of the underscoring from beginning to end, but also because all of the music is orchestral and makes sense within the mood of the scene. (in reference to the unfitting "Raindrops keep falling on my head" segment of Butch Cassidy.
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