Star Wars Music Minute
136 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsCelebrating the music and sound of Star Wars 5 cinematic minutes at a time!
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Episodes
#26: Luke and Leia Say Goodbye | TLJ Minutes 126-130
July 30, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBLuke and Leia reunite, and their musical themes pull at our heartstrings. Camila, also known as BoricuaWookiee, is here with me to navigate through these emotional minutes (126-130) of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: Is Finn's impending sacrifice selfish? Thoughts on his role and actions in the Resistance. Dies Irae when Finn is about to sacrifice himself. Leia's uncharacteristic loss of hope, which only Luke can reignite. The smooth progression of themes, from Force --...
TLJ 25: Motifsplosion! (Minutes 121-125 with Alex Damon)
July 23, 2021 19:00 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MBHow many motifs can you spot during the Battle of the Crait? Hint: there are more than 10! Alex Damon from Star Wars Explained is here with me today to break down the music and action in Minutes 121-125 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: Alex finally figures out the theme he's had stuck in his head. Finn's musical fake-out. Music as a manipulator, extra narrator. The scoring process for this film. What goes into making a balanced sound mix. The music + dialogue + sound desi...
#25: Motifsplosion! | TLJ Minutes 121-125
July 23, 2021 19:00 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MBHow many motifs can you spot during the Battle of the Crait? Hint: there are more than 10! Star Wars Explained (Alex) is here with me today to break down the music and action in Minutes 121-125 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: Alex finally figures out the theme he's had stuck in his head. Finn's musical fake-out. Music as a manipulator, extra narrator. The scoring process for this film. What goes into making a balanced sound mix. The music + dialogue + sound design ca...
TLJ 24: Quiet Quadnoculars (Minutes 116-120 with Chris Radtke)
July 16, 2021 19:00 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBLong live the Supreme Leader! After Snoke's dramatic (and loud) fall, Hux tempts fate, Kylo indulges in a Force choke, and the Resistance starts setting up on Crait. Chris Radtke is here with me to discuss Adam Driver's vocal gravitas, the space Bugs Bunny (Poe), and how the sound design of Crait's atmosphere reflects the desolation of the former Rebel base. Discussion topics/Highlights: The finality of Snoke's dense "thud" as his lower body hits the floor. Adam Driver's voice and gravita...
#24: Quiet Quadnoculars | TLJ Minutes 116-120
July 16, 2021 19:00 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBLong live the Supreme Leader! After Snoke's dramatic (and loud) fall, Hux tempts fate, Kylo indulges in a Force choke, and the Resistance starts setting up on Crait. Chris Radtke is here with me to discuss Adam Driver's vocal gravitas, the space Bugs Bunny (Poe), and how the sound design of Crait's atmosphere reflects the desolation of the former Rebel base. Discussion topics/Highlights: The finality of Snoke's dense "thud" as his lower body hits the floor. Adam Driver's voice and gravi...
TLJ 23: Holdo’s Resolve (Minutes 111-115)
July 09, 2021 19:00 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MBYou won't find it on the commercial soundtrack, but the music leading up to Holdo's sacrifice represents the culmination of profound thematic transformation rarely heard in all of Star Wars. Let's talk about why. Highlights: How the Desperation motif spawned from the Tension motif (after various iterations). Desperation motif is heard in its final form as the three subplots come to a head and finishes right as Holdo rams into the Supremacy. Frank Lehman's "Thematic Transformation and the...
#23: Holdo's Resolve | TLJ Minutes 111-115
July 09, 2021 19:00 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MBYou won't find it on the commercial soundtrack, but the music leading up to Holdo's sacrifice represents the culmination of profound thematic transformation rarely heard in all of Star Wars. Highlights: How the Desperation motif spawned from the Tension motif (after various iterations). Desperation motif is heard in its final form as the three subplots come to a head and finishes right as Holdo rams into the Supremacy. Frank Lehman's "Thematic Transformation and the Limits of Leitmoti...
TLJ 22: Combat Cacophony (Minutes 106-110 with Kyle Katarn)
July 02, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBThe Praetorian Guards aren't messing around, and neither is John Williams! Joining me today is Kyle Katarn. Together, we attempt to break down the sensational combat scoring, sound design, and awkward aftermath in minutes 106-110 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: The music feels suspended in air before the first lightsaber clash. John Williams's music is just as well choreographed as the fight. Rey's theme is stated in a steady, declarative rhythm. DJ's line "they blow you...
#22: Combat Cacophony | TLJ Minutes 106-110
July 02, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBThe Praetorian Guards aren't messing around, and neither is John Williams! Joining me today is Kyle Katarn. Together, we attempt to break down the sensational combat scoring, sound design, and awkward aftermath in minutes 106-110 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: The music feels suspended in air before the first lightsaber clash. John Williams's music is just as well choreographed as the fight. Rey's theme is stated in a steady, declarative rhythm. DJ's line "they blow...
TLJ 21: Dirtiest Lightsaber in the Galaxy (Minutes 101-105 with Pete the Retailer)
June 25, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBDJ's a snake, Snoke is sliced, and stormtroopers march to the beat of the spacecraft motif. Best of all, Pete the Retailer from Star Wars Minute is here with me to discuss the sounds in minutes 101-105 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: The stormtroopers' diegetic footsteps. Force theme vs. Resistance March vs. Droid Invasion/Trade Federation theme from The Phantom Menace. What defines a theme? (it's not always the notes!) KYLO REN'S LIGHTSABER. It's so dirty and dangerous-...
#21: Dirtiest Lightsaber in the Galaxy | TLJ Minutes 101-105
June 25, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBDJ's a snake, Snoke is sliced, and stormtroopers march to the beat of the spacecraft motif. Best of all, Pete the Retailer from Star Wars Minute is here with me to discuss the sounds in minutes 101-105 of The Last Jedi. Discussion topics/Highlights: The stormtroopers' diegetic footsteps. Force theme vs. Resistance March vs. Droid Invasion/Trade Federation theme from The Phantom Menace. What defines a theme? (it's not always the notes!) KYLO REN'S LIGHTSABER. It's so dirty and danger...
TLJ 20: Palpatine’s Musical Legacy (Minutes 96-100 with Justin Scheid)
June 18, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBNot to be musical conspiracists, but why do we hear the Emperor's theme when Rey is with Snoke? Musician/sound designer Justin Scheid joins me to discuss this pressing matter. We break down the music in that visceral scene, talk about the sound design of Force telekinesis, and follow some crusty Palpatine breadcrumbs. Music works in mysterious ways, some of them more practical than you'd think. Discussion topics/Highlights: fortepiano: a sudden dynamic change in which the music is played l...
#20: Palpatine's Musical Legacy | TLJ Minutes 96-100
June 18, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBNot to be musical conspiracists, but why do we hear the Emperor's theme when Rey is with Snoke? Musician/sound designer Justin Scheid joins me to discuss this pressing matter. We break down the music in that visceral scene, talk about the sound design of Force telekinesis, and follow some crusty Palpatine breadcrumbs. Music works in mysterious ways, some of them more practical than you'd think. Discussion topics/Highlights: fortepiano: a sudden dynamic change in which the music is played ...
#19: Trombone Stings | TLJ Minutes 91-95
June 11, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 95.9 MBBeethoven once called the trombone the "voice of God," but how does this low brass instrument factor into the music of The Last Jedi? From stings to stabs, pads, and more, trombonist Adam Liebreich-Johnsen explains various trombone textures and talks about the role of low brass in Star Wars scores. This set of Last Jedi minutes happens to have one of his favorite low brass moments! Discussion topics/Highlights: The various trombone colors, textures and other brass textures used in the sco...
TLJ 19: Trombone Stings (Minutes 91-95 with Adam Liebreich-Johnsen)
June 11, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 95.9 MBBeethoven once called the trombone the "voice of God," but how does this low brass instrument factor into the music of The Last Jedi? From stings to stabs, pads, and more, trombonist Adam Liebreich-Johnsen explains various trombone textures and talks about the role of low brass in Star Wars scores. This set of Last Jedi minutes happens to have one of his favorite low brass moments! Discussion topics/Highlights: The various trombone colors, textures and other brass textures used in the scor...
TLJ 18: Diegetic Bloops (Minutes 86-90 with Blythe Kala)
June 04, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBWho knew the sound of fueling transports could be so satisfying? Blythe Kala joins me in a lively discussion about minutes 86-90 of The Last Jedi, featuring comedic droid beats, untranslated Wookiee words, and Rey meeting Kylo face-to-face for the first in the whole film. We also talk Rey vs. Kylo vs. Anakin's character motivations, film production tricks, and more. Discussion topics/Highlights: The satisfying sound of the fueling transports (ascending in pitch) Rebel and Resistance theme...
#18: Diegetic Bloops | TLJ Minutes 86-90
June 04, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBWho knew the sound of fueling transports could be so satisfying? Blythe Kala joins me in a lively discussion about minutes 86-90 of The Last Jedi, featuring comedic droid beats, untranslated Wookiee words, and Rey meeting Kylo face-to-face for the first in the whole film. We also talk Rey vs. Kylo vs. Anakin's character motivations, film production tricks, and more. Discussion topics/Highlights: The satisfying sound of the fueling transports (ascending in pitch) Rebel and Resistance the...
#17: Yoda's Neapolitan Chord | TLJ Minutes 81-85
May 28, 2021 18:45 - 1 hour - 60 MBYoda comes bearing delicious Neapolitan and Lydian gifts! Joining me today is Star Wars Minute host Alex Robinson. We explore the harmony in this infamous scene, compare it to themes from other franchises, talk about digital technology's impact on film scoring, and discuss the artistic process. Discussion topics/Highlights: The Force theme with a Neapolitan chord replacing the Major IV chord. Neapolitan chord may also be called IIb, flat two, flat II, Neapolitan 6th Neapolitan chords ...
TLJ 17: Yoda’s Neapolitan Chord (Minutes 81-85 with Alex Robinson)
May 28, 2021 18:45 - 1 hour - 60 MBYoda comes bearing delicious Neapolitan and Lydian gifts! Joining me today is Star Wars Minute host Alex Robinson. We explore the harmony in this infamous scene, compare it to themes from other franchises, talk about digital technology's impact on film scoring, and discuss the artistic process. Discussion topics/Highlights: The Force theme with a Neapolitan chord replacing the Major IV chord. Neapolitan chord may also be called IIb, flat two, flat II, Neapolitan 6th Neapolitan chords in ...
#16: Mirror Cave vs. Magic Tree | TLJ Minutes 76-80
May 22, 2021 07:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBTopics: The music in Rey's cave scene in The Last Jedi vs. Luke's cave scene in The Empire Strikes Back Similarities include (demonstrations in the episode): atonality, tone clusters, tritones, swells, tremolos, glissandi, free time, instrumentation Differences include: presence of thematic material, tremolo vs. measured tremolo, sound design, sparseness, sense of time Insights from the sound designer, editor, and sound effects mixer regarding putting together this scene Themes Refer...
TLJ 16: Mirror Cave vs. Magic Tree (Minutes 76-80)
May 22, 2021 07:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBRey searches for meaning in the mirror cave on Ahch-To, but how does the music in this scene compare to that in Luke's cave scene from The Empire Strikes Back? In this episode, we compare and contrast the music and sound from these two films created 37 years apart. Topics: The music in Rey's cave scene in The Last Jedi vs. Luke's cave scene in The Empire Strikes Back Similarities include (demonstrations in the episode): atonality, tone clusters, tritones, swells, tremolos, glissandi, free...
#15: Brechtian Ben Swolo | TLJ Minutes 71-75
May 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 120 MBUh oh, is that a "Dies Irae"? In minutes 71-75 of The Last Jedi, Luke makes an incipient Force connection, Rey faces her infinite reflection, and Kylo Ren definitely does not put a cowl on. Joining me today is my favorite playwright-professor, Takeo Rivera, here to suffuse my musical observations with his literary insights! We talk magical realism, postmodernism, Brecht, musical recalls, and much more. Discussion topics/Highlights: "Dies Irae" (Day of Wrath) melody/Gregorian chant Magic...
#14: Chromatic Fathiers | TLJ Minutes 66-70
May 08, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBDiscussion topics/Highlights: Glissando demonstration (like when Rose opens her ring) The bountiful lineage of horse riding music The musical DNA of Russian Romantic composers What "chromatic" means in music (chromaticism, chromatic line, etc) Sorry in advance, there's a rough sports analogy Burkey's homework assignment The neat little reference to one of John Williams' older scores A comparison of the different things we (Burkey and Xanthe) notice in the music when watching a...
#13: Timpani In, Timpani Out | TLJ Minutes 61-65
May 01, 2021 07:00 - 52 minutes - 48.9 MBHow can music and sound assist the transitions in a film? In this episode, we take 10 cuts/transitions from The Last Jedi and examine what's happening musically. Spoiler: There are lots of timpani rolls! Main Points: Terms Explained: mix, transition, crescendo, riser, volume axis vs. pitch axis, timpani, sustained, music bed, single note vs. chord 10 Transitions: 1:00:40 - Luke and Rey in Cave --> Flashback dark ext. shot of temple 1:00:48 - Dark ext shot --> Luke standing over Ben...
#12: Follow Your Spidey Sense | TLJ Minutes 56-60
April 24, 2021 07:29 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBWhat do Brazil, Mario Kart Wii, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Cantina, and Canto Bight have in common? In this episode, we investigate a listener's question and practice moving from musical intuition to supported musical hypothesis. Soundtrack: "Canto Bight" Song Examples: "Aquarela do Brasil" by Ary Barroso "Canto Bight" by John Williams "Cantina Band" by John Williams "Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin" by Franz Liszt "Bananas and Blow" by Ween Connect with Star Wars Music Minute:...
#11: Steel Pan Drums of Canto Bight | TLJ Minutes 51-55
April 16, 2021 20:33 - 1 hour - 85.4 MBWe haven't heard steel pan drums in a Star War since "Cantina Band" in 1977! What vibe was John Williams going for here? Percussionist Tyler Hunt, the steel pan drummer from the soundtrack, is here to give us the scoop. Discussion topics/Highlights: The fascinating history of steel pan drums. When Tyler got the call... How steel pan drums fit into the music of Star Wars. What the "Canto Bight" recording sessions were like, how they differed from the regular scoring sessions, what th...
#10: Colors of the Wind | TLJ Minutes 46-50
April 10, 2021 05:27 - 1 hour - 116 MBWe attempt to recreate the Rey and Kylo Force chat effect, play with wind generators, and break down Rey's meditation montage in this sound effects-infused episode! Electronic music specialist Justin Leo Kennedy is here to share his love of Ben Burtt, oscillators, BB-8, and more. Themes heard in these minutes: Luke in Exile (Sarabande) Ahch-To Arpeggio Force theme Rey's theme Links Mentioned: Ben Burtt interview: https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-ben-burtt-intervi...
#9: Incidental Creeping| TLJ Minutes 41-45
April 03, 2021 06:35 - 26 minutes - 37.3 MBIn this set of minutes, Rose tases Finn for trying to desert the Resistance, they bond over shared knowledge, they bring Poe into the plan. Then, they call up Maz Kanata, who tells them to find the Master Codebreaker. Poe peers over Leia, says he's not gonna tell Holdo the plan, and finally, we cut to shots of Rey and Kylo in their respective locations picking up on each others' presence. Motifs: Rose's theme, Resistance March, Leia's theme, possible Main Title hint. Soundtrack: Second ...
#8: Voicing Luke Skywalker | TLJ Minutes 36-40
March 26, 2021 00:12 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBTheme-spotting: (Altered) Force theme, Rose's theme. Soundtrack: "Fun with Finn and Rose" Discussion topics: Voicing Luke Skywalker for the first Battlefront video game: the process and challenges. How voice acting works in a film, how voice acting differs from physical acting, and what the ADR (Additional Dialogue Replacement) process is like. Andy Serkis, Snoke vs. Golem vs. Stitch. Chewbacca's different vocalizations. Different interpretations of Holdo's Force theme teaser. ...
#7: Leia Poppins Returns! | TLJ Minutes 31-35
March 20, 2021 00:56 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBTheme-spotting: Leia theme, Force theme, Rey theme. Soundtrack: end of track 4. "The Supremacy" and beginning of track 6. "Old Friends" Discussion topics: A breakdown of the music and sound in that Leia scene. Using music theory vs intuition. Orchestration vs. arranging for a rock band. A much-needed refresher on the three (!) different Leia themes. Reverb and the First Order's interior decorating preferences. How Tony and I approach covering Star Wars songs and what we've l...
#6: What Does Hyperspace Sound Like? | TLJ Minutes 26-30
March 12, 2021 22:52 - 1 hour - 100 MBToday, we are covering the music and sound of minutes 26-30 of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi! We get a final look of Luke, Leia sits by the window while exiting hyperspace, Leia slaps and demotes Poe, Admiral Ackbar calls a proximity alert, Snoke's ship tracks the Raddus, Poe gets permission to blow stuff up, Kylo Ren looks angry but conflicted, and the hangar blows up. Guest: Liz Whitaker from Mean Girls Minute. Theme-spotting: Force theme, Kylo Ren theme, Leia theme, Resistance M...
#5: Luke's Music Video | TLJ Minutes 21-25
March 06, 2021 05:26 - 42 minutes - 49.2 MBLuke has new theme music, and it's epic! A deep dive into the music heard in minutes 21-25 of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Action: Rey follows Luke around while he does his thing on Ahch-To Island. We see him squirting green milk into his bottle and his mouth straight from the source. He pole vaults across cliffs, spears a very big fish, and hikes up the mountain in a thunderstorm. Finally, Rey follows suspicious Sith whispers to a mysterious, cavernous tree. Luke asks her who sh...
#4: Surround Sound Snoke | TLJ Minutes 16-20
February 27, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 90.2 MBMaster Skywalker throws his lightsaber out the door, porgs jump all over it, Chewbacca breaks into Luke's hut, we see Jedi tchotchkes, and Snoke says mean things to Kylo Ren, who ultimately smashes his ridiculous mask into a smoldering heap. Joining me today is fellow nerd Ralph Apel from Casino Skunk! Episode highlights: How porg sounds were made The scene with Luke's Force accoutrements The use of tritones... the devil's interval? Imperial March cameo 3 progressively angry Ky...
#3: Falling Jedi Steps | TLJ Minutes 11-15
February 20, 2021 07:14 - 1 hour - 124 MBThere's a lot happening in minutes 11-15 of Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi! Luckily, percussionist James Waterman is here to help me tackle it. In this portion of the film, we witness Paige's sacrifice, Leia's Force sigh, Snoke's gravely voice, Finn's leaky bacta suit, and Rey handing the venerable Jedi master his old lightsaber. Episode highlights: Narrated violin "performances" of Paige's final act and Luke's first act. The Last Jedi's novel approach to individual perspective-bas...
#2: Resistance Leitmotifs | TLJ Minutes 6-10
February 14, 2021 23:11 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBIn this episode, we cover four prominent musical themes in minutes 6-10 of Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi, including one that didn't make it to the commercial soundtrack. Otherwise, the music in this scene basically follows with the "Main Title and Escape" track on the album. All of these themes will show up again later in The Last Jedi, and most of them are present in all of the sequels as well. Topics: What is a leitmotif? Leitmotifs vs. themes. Piano walkthrough of four leitmot...
#1: From a Cellist's POV | TLJ Minutes 1-5
February 08, 2021 21:51 - 1 hour - 91 MBErika Duke-Kirkpatrick (cellist on The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker) joins Chrysanthe in covering minutes 1-5 of Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi. Film action: Lucasfilm logo, opening crawl, Hux being tooled with, and Poe starting to attack the Dreadnought. Discussion topics: Erika busts some John Williams myths. John Williams' conducting style. What recording sessions were like (secrecy, VIPs, funny moments, how they differed from other scoring sessions...