Star Wars composer John Williams opened up about his prolific career and chalked it up to “beneficent randomness.”
Thanks to the adventures in a galaxy far, far away – Star Wars composer John Williams created one of the most instantly recognizable pieces of music in film history. In a fascinating new interview with The New Yorker, the composer discussed his extensive career and how he puts most of his work down to chance. He explained that he never out searching to become successful by scoring a blockbuster movie. Williams even revealed that the iconic fanfare that kicks off the truly famous theme was the last thing he composed on A New Hope.
“It has been an extraordinary journey with these films, and with my entire career as well. The idea of becoming a professional film composer, never mind writing nine Star Wars scores over forty years, was not a consciously sought-after goal. It simply happened. All of this, I have to say to you, has been the result of a beneficent randomness. Which often produces the best things in life. That fanfare at the beginning, I think it’s the last thing I wrote. It’s probably a little overwritten — I don’t know. The thirty-second notes in the trombones are hard to get, in that register of the trombone.”
The interview continued with John Williams praising one of the musicians he worked with in the London Symphony Orchestra to produce the Star Wars theme. The composer recalled the moment where Maurice Murphy, the trumpet player, nailed the high C note perfectly – which was a great team moment according to Williams. The Star Wars composer also revealed that he met George Lucas through legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg after Lucas loved Williams’ score on Jaws. It’s no wonder the composer has had an incredible career.
“And the high trumpet part! Maurice Murphy, the great trumpet player of the L.S.O. — that first day of recording was actually his first day with the orchestra, and the first thing he played was that high C. There was a kind of team roar when he hit it perfectly. He’s gone now, but I love that man. One day, Steven called me and said, ‘Do you know George Lucas?’ I said, ‘No, I have no idea who he is.’ ‘Well, he’s got this thing called “Star Wars” and he wants to have a classical’ — his term, he didn’t say romantic — ‘classical score, and I’ve convinced George he should meet you, because he admired the score for Jaws. ‘ I came out here one night, to Universal Studios, and met George.”
Is the Star Wars theme your favorite piece of music by John Williams? What other scores from the composer do you like? Sound-off in the comments below!
Here is the official synopsis for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker:
Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. The late Carrie Fisher appears as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now available on Digital HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news surrounding Star Wars and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more video content in the future!
Source: The New Yorker
