If you know me or have read my blogs over the years, you know that Star Wars is the reason I'm in music. I always loved the music of Star Wars S a kid, and one day, after sitting listening to a CD of the Return of the Jedi Soundtrack, it hit me: I wanted to play in an orchestra just like that. Of course, back then I had no idea how hard I had to work to get to that point, but, y'know...I was a dumb kid. At least I started immersing myself quite extensively.
So I use today to reflect on what I consider to be some of the greatest music created. Yes, Star Wars music will be playing pretty much all day today in the Brown house, which will really excite my boys. But what do you think of Star Wars music? I've heard a lot of mixed things. The majority, of course, love it, but some say its cliche, or not genuine because John Williams just "copies" other composers' styles. Do they think Beethoven is genuine, then? Or Brahms? Or Bruckner? or Dvorak? I heard young music students talking about that at college once...young, arrogant music students trying to sound cool, I guess.
I just think it's an ingenious creation, obviously inspired by past generations of music, but still very originally, and helps tell an exciting story. The orchestrations are also well done, although I'm not sure how much of a hand Williams had in that because I believe he had an orchestrator. And there's so many great themes that just live with you forever.
So is anyone else celebrating this Star Wars day in any way? I'd love to hear from you. May the 4th be with you, and, of course:
Take care and value music.