program notes by composition > S > Star Wars Medley

Star Wars Medley

John Williams / arr. James H. Burden

Star Wars Medley This brilliant musical score is full of high adventure and soaring spirits in keeping with the nature of the film itself. Themes for each of the characters appear in a variety of permutations determined by the dramatic action as it unfolds on the screen. Arranger James H. Burden has chosen representative portions of both the main and end titles, using their major themes to fashion what might be more suitably titled an overture.

Composer John Williams (b.1932) is a pre-eminent American composer, conductor, and pianist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest film composers of his time, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history in a career spanning over six decades. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. He is a graduate of UCLA and Juilliard. His most familiar style may be described as a form of neoromanticism, inspired by large-scale orchestral music in the style of Tchaikovsky or Richard Wagner and their concept of leitmotif.

Williams has composed some of the most popular and recognizable film scores of all time, including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and Harry Potter. He has also composed theme music for the Olympic games, NBC Sunday Night Football, NBC Nightly News, television series and numerous classical concerti and other works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He was principal conductor of the Boston Pops from 1980–1993.

Last updated on March 6, 2020 by Palatine Concert Band