J Williams: Main title/rebel blockade runner (from the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) Flashcards
What type of film music is this?
Non-diegetic it cannot be heard by the characters. Used as underscoring
What are the two main themes and what are they known as?
The hero leitmotif at the start and the rebel leitmotif towards the end
What is the general instrumentation?
A Symphony orchestra:
What is the time signature of this and what effect does it give?
4/4 gives it a march like feel
What does the introduction feature?
A fanfare using brass and accompanied by triangle and timpani
How does the texture progress throughout the start of the piece and how is this achieved?
The texture gets thicker and thicker as more brass instruments are layered on
What key is the start in in and why is this useful to the players?
Bb major which is easy for brass instruments who feature most prominently?
Wht is the modulation into the B section?
Bb major -> F major
What is used at the end of the piece?
A codetta
What are the two intervals featured promiently in the main theme?
- 4th and then 5th
What type of chord is used to create dissonance in the B section?
Neopolitan chord
How is a march - like effect created?
Timpani and snare drum
Brass fanfare
4/4 time which is steady
Why is a fanfare used?
To grab the attention of the audience
To set the tone of the film to come
What was the structure of this piece?
AABA with a solo and transition part at the end
What is the typical texture of this piece?
Mainly homophonic
