Star wars by John Williams summary

Question 1

Tempo

Answer 1

Crotchet = 100 bpm so moderate speed
Rit’s to get into new sections

Question 2

Metre

Answer 2

4/4 for majority
Change to 3/4 when the attacking commences

Question 3

Tonality

Answer 3

Bb major overall
Modulation to C major with added Ab for star filled sky
Some bitonality to create eeriness and suspense
C is used a pedal note in final section

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

ABA followed by reference to film: Star filled sky, attacking commences, Rebel Blockade runner theme

Question 5

Instrumentation

Answer 5

Symphony orchestra
Percussion and Brass important
Tam tam and timpani mark sections and suspense
Glockenspiel picks out main notes of Contrasting theme B

Question 6

Harmony

Answer 6

Use of quartal harmony
Use of octaves in melody

Question 7

Texture

Answer 7

Homophonic texture

Question 8

Rhythmic features

Answer 8

Mainly on beat rhythms from melody
Accompaniment often uses off beat chords
Use of triplets

Question 9

Melodic features

Answer 9

Fanfare introduction
Main theme: lots of 5ths
Contrasting theme - lyrical, strings, legato, in octaves

Question 10

Style/period

Answer 10

Film music
Designed to depict emotion/atmosphere