John Williams: Star Wars

Question 1

Instrumentation

Answer 1

-large-scale symphony orchestra

Question 2

Instrumental techniques

Answer 2

• tremolos are played by the violins in bar -pizzicato strings are heard in bar 33
• trills are performed by the flute in bar 26
• a brass fanfare sounds in the opening bars

Question 3

Form and structure

Answer 3

• fanfare
• introduction
• A-A-B-A
• link
• codetta

Question 4

Dynamics

Answer 4

The most noticeable dynamic changes occur at each of the new sections, such as:

• in the Main Title the dynamic played is fortissimo (ff)
• in the contrasting section B, bars 12 to 19, the dynamic level played is mezzo forte (mf)
• in the piccolo link, bars 36 to 38, the dynamic link played is piano (p)
• the Rebel Blockade Runner leitmotif returns to ff

Question 5

Melody

Answer 5

• the Luke Skywalker motif uses leaps of fourths and fifths with a triplet elegant stepwise movement
• the Rebel Blockade Runner leitmotif is based on leaps of minor thirds

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• fanfare imitation between lower and upper brass

- melody-dominated homophony throughout

Question 7

Metre, tempo and rhythm

Answer 7

• a metre of 4/4
• a tempo of 100 bpm
• triplet calls in the brass section in the opening section
• triplet pedal ostinatos

Question 8

Harmony and tonality

Answer 8

• the Main Title is in B♭ major
• ambiguous tonality in the linking section
• the Rebel Blockade Runner key signature is in A♭ major, underpinned by a C pedal
• quartal harmony is used
• chromatic notes, parallel chords and added cluster chords in bars 44 to 46

Question 9

Sonority

Answer 9

• brass section play with accents

- opening leitmotif that is played by high-pitched brass instruments