ANH 1: The First Five Minutes of Star Wars

A NEW HOPE
Written By Chrysanthe Tan

Pete and Alex from Star Wars Minute join me to discuss the first five minutes of (any, all) STAR WARS.

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - Hello there.

  • 00:02:24 - The 20th Century FOX fanfare, purpose of studio logos, myth of movies.

  • 00:16:53 - Is the London Symphony Orchestra playing sharp? Pitch inflation, Treaty of Versailles, a whole rabbit hole.

  • 00:28:08 - Skipping the Star Wars Main Title when listening to the soundtrack.

  • 00:34:33 - Opening crawl was a practical effect.

  • 00:40:40 - The music syncs up differently in the original version of the opening crawl!

  • 00:59:50 - Holst Mars vs. Blockade Runner quiz.

  • 01:09:30 - Xanthe brings up something that Pete said on Star Wars Minute 4 (in 2013). We talk original mono mix, special editions, de-specialized editions, etc.

  • 01:13:08 - The hectic soundscape of the blockade runner. Various alarm sounds in Star Wars.

  • 01:19:33 - Darth Vader's introduction. Breathing as Vader's true motif. The "not-Imperial March"

  • 01:23:20 - Pete tries to remember the music but realizes that the sound design is burned into his memory of the soundtrack. We discuss how the soundtrack without the sound design and dialogue can sound bare at times.

  • 01:30:55 - Inaugural Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire

Musical Themes: (in order of appearance, using Frank Lehman's catalogue designations):

  • 1a. Main Theme (A Section)

  • 1b. Main Theme (B Section)

  • 2. Rebel Fanfare

  • 3. Force

  • 1) Starry Night Arpeggios

  • 2) Starry Night Piccolo

  • 3) Martial Chords

  • 4) Martial Rhythm

Where we are in the soundtrack album:

  • 20th Century Fox Fanfare

  • A New Hope Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner

  • Imperial Attack

References:

STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:

1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?

  • Alex: majestic French horns

  • Pete: Aunt Beru's kitchen

2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?

  • Pete would like to watch a sound design commentary from Ben Burtt or any sound department special.

  • Alex wants a documentary featurette explaining what the process of scoring a film is.

3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?

  • Pete: The Black Hole (composed by John Barry)

  • Alex: Superman (composed by John Williams)

GUESTS:

Follow Star Wars Minute, Pete and Alex!

Pete the Retailer:

Alex Robinson:

Star Wars Music Minute:

Xanthe:

Chrysanthe Tan

Composer / Violinist

www.chrysanthetan.com
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ANH 2: Baby Force Theme
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BONUS 1: John Williams Concert Review