I'm pretty confident this will either be an arrangement of the Force theme, or somehow incorporating it. That's fine by me. Of all the STAR WARS evergreen themes that I've heard a million times before, the Force theme is the one I like the most (although it can't compete with the few seconds of choral religioso goodness in the Vader/Luke duel). It's a theme that Obi-Wan "shares" with other figures and elements in the story, so it isn't exclusively his own, but it's the closest we've got. Whatever the case, I look forward to it.
More than two years after completing his ninth “Star Wars” movie, composer John Williams is returning to the Jedi fold with a theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Variety has learned.
Williams has written the musical signature for the continuing adventures of the character played by Ewan McGregor, airing on Disney Plus beginning May 25. He recorded last week with a Los Angeles orchestra under tight security, sources say.
It is a coup for both Lucasfilm and Disney, considering the five-time Oscar winner
I'm pretty confident this will either be an arrangement of the Force theme, or somehow incorporating it. That's fine by me. Of all the STAR WARS evergreen themes that I've heard a million times before, the Force theme is the one I like the most (although it can't compete with the few seconds of choral religioso goodness in the Vader/Luke duel). It's a theme that Obi-Wan "shares" with other figures and elements in the story, so it isn't exclusively his own, but it's the closest we've got. Whatever the case, I look forward to it.
It's interesting because in the first film the "force" theme was kind of associated mostly with Obi-Wan, but kind of in an "awaking of Obi-Wan" sort of way, where it's quoted on and off to hint at this mysterious, hidden figure. It serves a musical purpose of awakening Obi-Wan, which Leia's message would be doing (and why it plays on the rebel blockade runner) and then Luke becomes the unwitting carrier of the message. As much as it retroactively becomes "the force" theme, its use in the first film pretty much matches the contours of Obi-Wan's journey. Even the use of it during the last battle over the Death Star where Luke "uses the force", in a way it's almost thematic of Luke carrying the torch of Obi-Wan and plays almost as lightly triumphant, that the power of Obi-Wan's spirit lives on in Luke.
I think as well that Lucas referred to it as "Obi-Wan's theme" when asking to place it over the Binary Sunset.
Anyway, it's cool to see how the music evolved in the first film and I'm curious to hear what Williams does with it. I'm guessing french horns with the the kernel of "the force theme" in it.
Even if Williams composed an entirely new theme for this (which would be wonderful), I hope and imagine the Force theme will also be used throughout. I mean, it would make little sense for it not to be.
Just speculation: But if he did an Obi-Wan theme for the prequels, probably that, a little Force theme, some new material for the series composer to utilize.
I'm going to say this might have been a purposeful leak. Why only news of him and not the series composers? Because John Williams, that's why.
I think word was getting out and their hand was forced. Not that I think it makes much of a difference, they just like to reveal these things on their own terms. But if I had heard about it, it couldn't have been so super-secret. (Or at least not successfully.)
Also, though I too can't imagine the Force theme not recurring in this series, I remember when it was announced that Williams was doing a theme for Solo and there was a lot of speculation around here that it would certainly be an arrangement of "Han Solo and the Princess" (or, weirdly, some Han Solo theme he'd secretly composed years ago which had been rejected from the original trilogy), and that turned out to be an entirely new piece. So who knows?
Because Disney and N.D.A.'s. No one in their right mind would do that. Not if they ever want to work again. But maybe there are people there that didn't sign anything. Still not good for their career; Mr. Mouse has his ways.
I remember when it was announced that Williams was doing a theme for Solo and there was a lot of speculation around here that it would certainly be an arrangement of "Han Solo and the Princess" (or, weirdly, some Han Solo theme he'd secretly composed years ago which had been rejected from the original trilogy), and that turned out to be an entirely new piece. So who knows?
There was also speculation that the new "Ewok Celebration" music that he wrote for the 97 Special Editions would somehow connect to the Prequel trilogy and/or would be a theme for Anakin. NOPE! Based on that piece, once might assume that the prequel trilogy would take place at some kind of Club Med in space, but we now know that it did not.
So I think the lesson here is that the main theme for this show is just going to be something new that sounds like John Williams Star Wars music, sort of like what Solo was. Sounds good to me.
It's interesting because in the first film the "force" theme was kind of associated mostly with Obi-Wan, but kind of in an "awaking of Obi-Wan" sort of way, where it's quoted on and off to hint at this mysterious, hidden figure. It serves a musical purpose of awakening Obi-Wan, which Leia's message would be doing (and why it plays on the rebel blockade runner) and then Luke becomes the unwitting carrier of the message. As much as it retroactively becomes "the force" theme, its use in the first film pretty much matches the contours of Obi-Wan's journey. Even the use of it during the last battle over the Death Star where Luke "uses the force", in a way it's almost thematic of Luke carrying the torch of Obi-Wan and plays almost as lightly triumphant, that the power of Obi-Wan's spirit lives on in Luke.
Yes, but it's more specified than that. When the Force theme appears over the binary sunset, it not only denotes Luke's connection to the force, but his yearning for departure; his desire to venture beyond where he's at in life. It's a theme that denotes many different characters and aspects in the universe. Obi-Wan shares it. So it would make sense to use it in the new theme, but time will show if Williams actually does it.
Because Disney and N.D.A.'s. No one in their right mind would do that. Not if they ever want to work again. But maybe there are people there that didn't sign anything. Still not good for their career; Mr. Mouse has his ways.
I don't know, Disney has a pretty consistent track record with using any connection to original creators of the IP they purchase as a marketing draw. Using practical effects was a heavily marketed message for THE FORCE AWAKENS, same with THE LAST JEDI and the return of Yoda, Williams' involvement in SOLO STORY, concept art in ROGUE ONE, on and on. There is a shamelessly constant churn of clickbait media to keep projects in the public's attention. Just put "star wars" into any search engine and click the "News" filter and you'll always see something that was posted within a day to a week.
That aside, I always welcome new music from Williams.
Incredible!!! I'm going to post this exclusive Disney Star Wars video news on my blog and twitter and make 10 youtube response videos about it (and don't tell anyone but I'm going to retroactively post a reaction video to it as well, even though I've already seen it). Collider and Vox, here I come!!!
Dear Johnny T…It seems you can Travel over to Germany, Twice and Conduct you’re wonderful work…BUT! How bout Traveling over to London and getting together with that lil known Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra …before you are Really too Old! I will be glad to fly over the pond for that Historic Music Event!