A night at the orchestra with John Williams

No amount of light sabers, droids or storm troopers can make Star Wars feel truly complete. Only music can do that. Dozens of composers have contributed their talents to the galaxy far, far away. They all stand second to John Williams. He is the original, the undisputed master and perhaps the most prolific and influential film composer to ever work the silver screen.

On the night of January 28, I was treated to a live viewing of A New Hope with the score performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and conducted by Nicholas Buc. Aside from many classical renditions, the MSO have performed scores of other major franchises with notable soundtracks such as the works of Murray Gold from Doctor Who which I also had the opportunity to experience some years ago. The MSO will return to Star Wars in October with a live viewing of The Empire Strikes Back.

Held at the Plenary at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the MSO was well aware that this would be an occasion for Star Wars fans of all walks of life. While there was not as much cosplay as one would expect at a pop culture convention, diehard fans did not disappoint. This being a formal occasion, many attendees took it upon themselves to adhere to the smart-casual standard while still strutting their Star Wars best. More than one individual attended with a full suit adorned with the colors and stylings of a major character, including a gentleman with an impressive R2-D2 suit with matching tie, pants and shoes.

As conductor Nicholas Buc began the night’s introduction, he was escorted to the stage by two Imperial storm troopers and was armed with a flashing red lightsaber. It’s almost a shame he didn’t use the prop as his conducting baton! Perhaps it would have been too distracting for the strings section immediately in front of him…

Breaking with operatic tradition, the audience was encouraged to applaud at the appropriate sections of the ensemble and the crowd’s enthusiasm did not waver throughout the evening. Fox fanfare: applause. Vader’s first scene: applause. “Hello there!” was almost met with a standing ovation. The crowd’s excitement spoke for itself. Viewings of the classic films is not uncommon but it is a shared experience worth remembering. Rewatching a universally known film with a large audience is an enthralling experience by itself. When accompanied by a live professional orchestral performance, it is made unforgettable.

One minor disappointment occurred during the much-anticipated cantina scene as the orchestra was sadly not equipped to perform the iconic “Cantina Band” track. However, seeing as the piece differs dramatically from the rest of the score and is diegetic, meaning that it occurs in the world of the film itself and is not a part of the soundtrack that only the audience hears, the omission is quite understandable.

The music of John Williams will be unimpeachable no matter how you hear it. But to witness a full orchestra performing the most well known soundtrack in film history is something truly special and without equal. This is how the music would have sounded as recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra for the film’s actual soundtrack but unadulterated by the imperfections of recording technology at the time. The result here is that certain sections of the orchestra are elevated and others made more subtle. Listening back to the original recordings your ear is then equipped to pick up on certain qualities that you may not have appreciated in full before. Even something as simple as a note from a horn in the background or a particular set of strings that were not as prominent as it was before.

Such an experience makes the listener aware of the complexity and majesty of orchestral performance and how the slightest changes can alter the entirety of the whole. Such is the case with art across all mediums. But to experience these “new” elements to tracks that I have heard so many times over is a strange experience indeed. If you ever stand on the roof of your house and look at the familiar surroundings, they are suddenly not so familiar. When you return to the ground, those changes persist and you can never truly view the scenery the same way again. The same person who climbs the roof is not the same one who comes back down. A bit poetic perhaps, but such is the power of music! As always, the force is truly with John Williams.

Many major cities across the world have their own orchestras and will also perform renditions of major film scores for Star Wars and beyond. If you even get an opportunity to attend such a performance, I strongly encourage you do so. Dinner and a show, make a night of it!

What’s your favorite score from Star Wars? Let us know in the comment section below! For all things Star Wars, head on over to Dork Side of the Force!