Revenge of the Sith Soundtrack
 

I just picked up the soundtrack to the new Star Wars movie (Revenge of the Sith). I'm only on the third track so far, but I've got to say it is GREAT!! This music has more of the edge/energy/intangible than most of Williams' recent stuff - and it only makes me MORE excited for the movie.

For classical geeks, I'll hint that there is a more sophisticated use of orchestration and dissonance to create the impression of danger - it's good.

In particular the track "Immolation Scene" is surprising - it is daring in its harmony. Also, the first few seconds of Palpatine's Teachings has come sort of vocal sound that is hair raising - I can't tell if it is processed lightly or if it is some sort of variation on Tibetan throat singing! There is a texture to the voice that you can almost feel rubbing against you skin.

True to Williams' style there are hints of mainstream rep (Rite of Spring and some Bruckner adagio movements so far), but IMO they are tasteful nods, not outright plagiarism.

Immolation scene? I'll bet you $100 that he just referenced Wagner so he could steal his music and say that he was playing homage to him.

Well, clearly the title is a blatant ripoff (but the Ring is fair game now that it is in the public domain). The music sounds like some sort of Barber/Bruckner/Prokofiev ripoff. I like it - at least he chose good stuff to refer to.

Same name? OMG RIP OFF! I bet Williams digged up Wagner's corpse too!

...seriously, so what?

Battle of Heroes is slowly becoming my favourite piece of music from the saga so far, but of course I'll need to experience it in the theatre with the film before I can say it's the favourite of mine.

As a soundtrack I have to say I personally enjoyed and found it far more stirring than any other SW OST. To think that in two weeks the movie will be out... I can't believe time has flied so fast.

I haven't heard it, but I can safely guess that there is a french horn section of about 20!