Quicky

[dbjorck]

Hi!

Yesterday I recorded the next instalment of Star Wars, the penultimate piece, in four hours:
Yoda's Theme - MP3 (http://dbjorck.dk/Music/Danny's Favourites/Yoda's Theme.mp3)

I like movie music and always pay close attention to it, especially John Williams'. But I don't recognise this?! I've seen Star Wars many times. But I can simply not place it. It must have been some very incidental music in the background. I just can't remember it. Does anyone else remember this? In the foreword to the score John Williams writes that it has never been published before either. And I don't entirely understand how it relates to Yodas age old wisdom. I hope I have done it justice even though it was a quick recording. It is not one of my better ones.

When the scherzo part starts after the main theme, I can't help but sing the old joke "Euripides, Eumenides"... :D

The attached MIDI is not supposed to be played on a PC, it contains CVP specific voices and effects.

Brgds

Danny

[Carlo]

Hi!

Thank you, Danny, for your new beautiful recording, which finally gives us Yoda's theme (one of my favourites) in its entirety.

It appears in "The Empire strikes back" (5th episode of the complete saga, but 2nd movie that was shot) at around 1 hour 9 minutes (I've checked it out in my DVD) from the beginning, when Yoda is training Luke Skywalker in lifting up objects by concentrating himself on the power of Force.
The scene (2-minute long) is set in the deep forest of planet Degobah and the theme (actually, only part of it) is heard when Yoda demonstrates to frustrated Luke how to rescue his spaceship from the muddy pond wherein it had sunk.
Thus, in my opinion, the main feeling conveyed by the theme, according to the situation, is not exactly Yoda's wisdom (largely asserted in the dialogues), but rather the big astonishment of Luke who witnesses his teacher's prowess.

As I said before, your recording is precious because it is complete.
I suppose John Williams himself drew some inspiration from it while composing the main theme of "ET", two years later, don't you think?

Congratulations again!

Best regards,

[dbjorck]

Hi!

Thank you. I have seen that scene many times, but I don't recall the music. I think it is simply not memorable for me. Even now, as I try to remember the main theme, I cannot. I keep hearing instead the I Have a Love theme from my previous recording. This is highly unusual, usually after I record a piece it's in my head 24/7 for weeks. I like it when I hear it, but it vanishes directly. Only the 'Euripides' scherzo sticks. What exactly makes a song memorable?

I wanted to mention the E.T. connection in my original post, but forgot. The bit after the scherzo is indeed very much like E.T. Just found the reverse as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUwIxLG2AGc&feature=youtube_gdata Listen to the end.

Brgds

Danny

[Carlo]

Hi!


What exactly makes a song memorable?


That's a really intriguing question.

In my opinion, there are a few reasons, some highly subjective and some more musical.

Among the subjective ones, you can list the emotional impact or evoked memories that a song causes to the listener.
As we both agreed upon, Yoda's theme does not seem particularly related to the character, but rather to a situation. Hence, even if the theme is beautiful, its emotional impact is low, or less than you would expect (or at least the name of the theme is wrong ;) ).
On the other hand, it is musically based on a melody greatly relying on triad intervals, and therefore it flows naturally, and is easy to whistle for the layman, but does not tend to "stick" into the brain of experienced musicians looking for unconventional inspiration.

As they say, those are my two (euro)cents...

Best regards,