BONUS FEATURES [7m1]

Score study:
"The STAR WARS Main Title" Condensed Score excerpt

 Download "The STAR WARS Main Title" Condensed Score

Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra - John Williams Signature Edition - Hal Leonard (conductor score)
https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=4490057&lid=150&keywords=john%20williams%20signature&subsiteid=1&

■ ■ ■

For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

···

7m1 The STAR WARS Main Title

When reviewing the century-long tradition of music in cinema, the American Film Institute's selection for 'greatest film score of all time' came as little surprise; it was of course John Williams' score to George Lucas' STAR WARS. For us, this 1977 score is something of a modern miracle - a work whose colossal popularity is matched only by its outstanding quality. Nowhere is that combination more apparent than in the very first piece of underscore, the unforgettable Main Title. Arguably the crown jewel of film music cues (whose original recording broke into the '77 Billboard top 10 [yes, the pop charts!]), this dazzling opening number presents a definitive rendition of the main theme and unequivocally proclaims the tone of the film that follows.

We recently had the great fortune to speak with audio legend Alan Snelling, assistant engineer on STAR WARS (as well as THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, RETURN OF THE JEDI, SUPERMAN, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and many others). Here he provides a vivid account of the debut performance of the Main Title and its impact on those to first experience it. [We will continue to hear from Alan throughout our arc of episodes. His full unedited interview will be available later this week on Patreon]

We simply can't contain our joy for today's episode - an hourlong exploration into the composition, orchestration, performance and storytelling power of the Main Title. Please join us as we take our "first steps into a larger world".

Listen to episode 7m1 The STAR WARS Main Title

STAR WARS - John Williams - 1977 - Lucasfilm Ltd./20th Century Fox (George Lucas, dir,)

Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra - John Williams Signature Edition - Hal Leonard (conductor score)
https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=4490057&lid=150&keywords=john%20williams%20signature&subsiteid=1&

IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/?ref_=nv_sr_5

Alan Snelling 

http://www.up4loud.com/

https://soundcloud.com/alan-snelling-1/sets/alan-snelling-music

■ ■ ■

For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

Prologue: A Long Time Ago...

We've dreamed of these episodes since ever conceiving the podcast... Today we want to offer our thanks for your patience, attention and support by turning to a subject so many of us love like no other: John Williams' score to STAR WARS (1977). Now more than ever we want to remember the original cinematic phenomenon that defied the odds and seemed to unite a jaded, world-weary nation. Now we turn back the clock more than 40 years, to a time when Princess Leia & Luke Skywalker were little more than ideas in the mind of a young & visionary George Lucas; to a decade where a seasoned & sophisticated composer was presented the opportunity of a lifetime. Unbeknownst to either of them, together these two collaborators would create a work that would enrapture their public, transform their industry, and undeniably change the popular culture of their planet. We begin our 5-part series on STAR WARS with a special prologue examining all that happened before John Williams put pencil to paper. We've got so many questions we're dying to ask: What was the state of film music in the late 1970's? What did George Lucas envision musically for his space fantasy? How was Williams uniquely poised to deliver what is arguably the most essential film score of all time? What was the temp score to STAR WARS and who was its author? What of these occasional allegations of copying/borrowing/plagiarism? ... Today we attempt to answer each of these questions and prepare as best as we can for the episodes ahead. We hope to make this series as special & content-rich as possible - we can't wait to share what's in store. May the force be with you!

Listen to Prologue: A Long Time Ago... 

Rinzler, J.W. The Making of Star Wars New York, NY, Ballantine Books, 2007 

Star Wars, Lucas, and Williams: An Introduction
https://www.soundtrackpodcast.com/podcasts/star-wars-lucas-and-williams-an-introduction.htm

■ ■ ■

For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

Reel Change: Logos

Today we look at a delightful tradition of cinematic storytelling, one we find at the very beginning of our favorite films: studio logos. These jingles & fanfares are the anthems of Hollywood industry and have been crafted by our most beloved screen composers. We chronicle this unique musical art form from the dawn of sound-film to the present day, uncovering much about the evolution of cinema in the process. What were initially war cries on the battlefield of early Hollywood eventually evolved into tiny hymns celebrating the wonder of moviegoing. Today's episode brings together almost too many legendary composers to mention: Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Michael Kamen (to name but a few). Put on your headphones and take a trip down memory-lane with us as we celebrate the past & present (and try our best to contain our anticipation for the next film subject...). Enjoy!

Listen to Reel Change: Logos 

Classic Film and TV Studio Signature Logos
http://www.classicthemes.com/studioLogos.shtml

■ ■ ■

For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

6m4 The Incredibles Audio Commentary

We are pleased to finally present our feature-length audio commentary to The Incredibles (2004). Let's all unleash our inner Supers and race head-on into one of the most perfect pieces of cinema of the 21st century. Thank you for your Incredi-patience in this series of episodes on Michael Giacchino's breakthrough cinematic debut - a score that is as potent & powerful today as it ever was. Music that... ah, you caught us monologuing again. Here we go - on with the show!

Listen to episode 6m4 The Incredibles Audio Commentary

The Incredibles - Michael Giacchino - 2004 - Pixar Animation Studios (Brad Bird, dir,)

The Incredibles (Music from the Motion Picture)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-incredibles-music-from-the-motion-picture/161398291

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317705/

■ ■ ■

For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast