Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

There has been a fair share of disappointment in J.J. Abrams' film "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," and John Williams' musical score for it. And "fair" may be the key word in both cases. Actually, both the film and music were better than that, they were just not earth (or universe) shattering. Abrams had his hands full trying to close a trilogy, more or less messed up by "The Last Jedi" (which really was not a bad film either), missing a key star, and with unreal expectations that he would reproduce the initial thrills of "A New Hope" and the "Empire Strikes Back." That was not going to happen! That "Rise of Skywalker" worked at all was an achievement. And Williams produced a score that works very well on the screen (the main purpose), and on a soundtrack that one appreciates more and more with each time you listen to it (especially the last six tracks). He pretty much worked around existing themes in interesting ways. There was no reason for new grand themes, they were and are there and just needed to be worked into a new and concluding fabric, which the maestro succeeded in doing quite well. All that said what a trip from 1977, and what joy the films and music have imparted to us. Along with Charles Gerhardt and George Korngold, he virtually resurrected the orchestral film score. Williams especially should be applauded for a musical achievement that included no less than nine "Star Wars" film scores (and collaboration on two others, "Rogue One" and "Solo" with Michael Giacchino and John Powell), amazing, just amazing. And every score offered something worthwhile and special, even his coda. The simplicity of the final cues takes us back to the first time we heard Alfred Newman's 20th Century Fox logo followed by Williams Star Wars main theme. No, you will never recreate that, but good is good. And it must be noted that Abrams and Williams created their own iconic moment and finishing touch with Rey and BB8 walking into the double sunset to end the epic film and musical journey (or began a new one) just where it had begun. Nicely produced and adequately packaged by Walt Disney Records and Lucasfilm. Some additional comments as afterthoughts. Having listened to all of the scores nominated for Academy Awards this year, William's score for "Rise of Skywalker" actually deserves another word of praise. There were good scores, and some highly original work, but nothing quite like "Skywalker." Other scores had their moments and served the films they were composed for adequately, but nothing as consistent, lyrical and rich as Williams work. The very thought that he is retiring will in many ways end an era that he helped create, one where the orchestral score ruled. It will be a pity, indeed.

Beautiful, uplifting, soaring farewell music for the Skywalker saga's swan song! John Williams is up there with the greatest composers of ALL TIME. We are living in a golden era of music of all genres, from the 1950's to today and I am privileged to have seen (and heard) it. Maestro Williams is untouchable in his consistency and musical talent, as well as his ability to touch the heart. He has certainly touched mine for many years. "Music hath charms to soothe a savage beast." The world could use more beautiful music....and only if they would listen....

It is fortunate that John Williams was able to compose and conduct the score for the final installment of the nine-part Skywalker saga, completing a musical endeavor that he first undertook for the original 1977 film, now known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. As a result, the nine soundtracks stand together as an epic, self-contained body of work spanning 42 years. Williams perhaps may be the only film composer who has made music for that many movies in a franchise, all of them focusing on a core group or family of characters, as well as several Star Wars video games. The only other Hollywood composer who comes close is the late Jerry Goldsmith, who scored five Star Trek movies and wrote the main theme for three Star Trek television series. Incidentally, Williams is also one of only two major creative talents to be involved in all nine episodes of the Skywalker saga, the other being Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3PO in every one of the main movies (as well as a cameo in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and other guest spots). Just as Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker is an entertaining and enjoyable wrap-up of a nine-part storyline, its soundtrack is just as fitting a musical coda for the entire saga, with a lot of welcome callbacks to iconic themes from the original trilogy. For example, because of the resurrected presence of Ian McDiarmid’s legendary, villainous Emperor Palpatine, the Imperial March makes a triumphant return, along with Palpatine’s appropriately dark and sinister throne room motif. Williams has also come up with a new episodic theme, bearing the film’s title, The Rise of Skywalker, that is moving and poignant, with a sense of wistful reflection and a view to a hopeful new future. And for a first (and possibly the last) in a Star Wars score, the opening arrangement of the main title theme, along with the fanfare, appears near the conclusion of the end credits, perhaps signifying the final curtain call, at least for the beloved original trilogy characters. In what is most likely his final Star Wars soundtrack, John Williams offers up one of the series’ best musical entries, right up there with A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens.

I've been a film score fan for over 20 years, but only started collecting soundtrack CDs recently due to financial issues. This is the very first score by maestro John Williams that I own on CD, and its a truly emotional thing for me. Needless to say, the music itself is totally phenomenal. Thanks to Amazon and Music For All for making this available in India at a decent price!

Fantástica trilha de John Willians, era o álbum que faltava na minha coleção. Nota 1000

The last of the Skywalker Saga and fantastic to listen to.

Grande conclusione, musicalmente parlando, della saga di Star Wars, Williams un gigante della musica da film, in attesa di avere l'edizione estesa godiamoci quest'ultimo, nel vero senso della parola, lavoro del grande musicista americano che con questa saga di 9 film per oltre 20 ore di musica ha superato, almeno in quantità e impegno il mitico Ring wagneriano. Consegna nei tempi previsti e ottimo prezzo.

Es ist vollbracht! Die Skywalker-Kinosaga ist vollendet und John Williams durfte, konnte und wollte nun auch die finale Episode vertonen. Der 1932 geborene Komponist ist es gelungen auch für die letzte Episode einen großen erinnerungswürdigen Abenteuerscore zu komponieren, welcher die alten und jüngeren Themen gekonnt in großartiges neues Material integriert. Das 3. Stück der neuen CD "The Rise of Skywalker" (4:18) ist ein tolles und sehr schönes Konzertarrangement des neuen Themas, welches zum Finale ein warmes, episches und optimistisches Gefühl vermittelt. Die CD bietet zum 142 Minuten langen Film natürlich nur Auszüge des Scores. Bei einigen Stücken wünschte man, dass sie länger gingen (Eine Doppel-CD, die sicher irgendwann mal limitiert oder nicht limitiert erscheinen wird würde sich zu diesem Film lohnen). Aber John Williams hat die vielen kleinen Auszüge so zusammengestellt, dass die CD als Ganzes ein rundes und gelungenes Hörvergnügen bietet, wenn man den klassischen Stil von John Williams mag und schätzt. Ich bin glücklich darüber, dass dieser Score genauso großartig geworden ist wie die Musiken zu Episode 7 und 8. Musikalisch betrachtet ist die 3. Trilogie ein filmmusiklischer Hochgenuss, welcher erfolgreich den goldenen Sound Hollywoods von Max Steiner und Erich Wolgang Korngold der späten 1930er und der frühen 1940er Jahre in die Neuzeit transportiert. Im Gegensatz zu Episode 2 und 3 der Prequel-Trilogie (Dort wurde das Höhepunkt-Musikmaterial von Episode 1 in Klangschnipseln zu einigen Actionsequenzen von Episode 2 und 3 billig wiederverwendet.) ist in den drei neuen Filmen jedes im Film zu hörende Stück neu eingespielt worden. John Williams Musik hört sich erfreulich virtuos, episch und frisch an. Von Altersschwäche ist somit zum Glück nichts zu spüren. Im letzten Track bringt John Williams seinen Score mit folgenden Themen zu einem gelungenen Ende: der üblich flotte Beginn eines jeden End Titles, Konzertversion von The Rise of Skywalker, verkürzter aber kraftvoll gespielter Imperial March, Reys Theme, der Main Title (erstmals im Abspann) und dann den bekannten Schluss seines ersten End Titles von 1977, der auch in Episode 6 und 3 zu hören war. Wertung: 5 Sterne! Schöner und toller kann klassische orchestrale Hollywood-Abenteuerfilmmusik einfach kaum klingen! John Williams könnte für Episode 9 wieder wie für Episode 7 und 8 eine Oscarnominierung bekommen. Sollte er tatsächlich nominiert werden, würde ein Gewinn des Musikoscars im Jahr 2020 eine verdiente Ehrung seiner Arbeit an den 9 Filmen bedeuten.