Solo 15: Do You Like It?

Jun 3

Composer Christina Ward joins Xanthe for a detailed listen and analysis of minutes 71-75 of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which starts with the crew landing on Kessel and ends with L3 liberating a droid.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Hello there!
05:39 - All roads lead back to the Empire.
11:15 - Where the music abruptly changes, Baroque vibes, Enigma Variations, Britten, large interval leaps, unified instrument sections
22:02 - Qi'ra and the gang walk out to greet the Pykes. Music leaves space for dialogue.
24:53 - Jaws-esque half steps.
27:49 - Sparkly Main Theme for chance cubes shot.
29:30 - Rooting (but not rooting) for Han and Qi'ra.
33:48 - Buildup before they break their disguises. Contrary motion.
42:38 - The droid that steals the show!
47:35 - Composers conveying instructions to performers. How would we notate this droid sound?
55:02 - Humor, Qi'ra, "murder complete."
1:00:35 - The beginning of "Mine Mission" is curious, hopeful.
1:07:48 - Listeners with good droid ears, what do you think the droid is saying?
1:08:40 - Liberation, liberation, liberation, liberation!
1:10:45 - Final thoughts about minutes 71-75 of Solo.
1:14:49 - SWMM Questionnaire

Things to Check Out:

Benjamin Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra | Saraste | WDR Symphony Orchestra - https://youtu.be/4vbvhU22uAM
Elgar: Enigma Variations / Boian Videnoff - Mannheimer Philharmoniker - https://youtu.be/6bkCEKD_Hhg
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.

Musical Themes:

5. The Gang
9. Fakery
1a. Main Theme (A Section)
1. Young Han Solo (Heroic, comp. JW)
8. L3-37

Where are we in the soundtrack?:

"Oksana Floren, yadda yadda yadda (4M30A)" - pretty much the whole track
"Mine Mission" - first 40 seconds
"Extra Deluxe Mine Mission (4M30B-5M30C-31)"

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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:

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

Heartfelt. Direct. Dramatic.

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

What are the thematic relationships that tie the dark side with Imperialism, musically speaking? Similarly, what musical relationships tie the light side with rebellion and goodness?

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