John Williams Score Analysis

Origins of The Imperal March / Darth Vader Theme

The Imperial March first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back, and was not heard in the preceding original movie.

After diving into the score for A New Hope, I think I have identified the essential musical ideas Williams drew from in composing The Imperial March.

Read the Article

Close Encounters: How John Williams Wished Upon a Star

See how the song When You Wish Upon a Star  thoroughly informs the score for Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Read the Article

Vader Variations: How the Imperial March is Varied Throughout Star Wars

An analysis of the myriad ways John Williams used and varied The Imperial March throughout George Lucas' six  Star Wars movies.

Read the Article