Star Wars: A New Hope Soundtrack - 09. Ben's Death/TIE Fighter Attack

Details

Description

Ben Kenobi's Death starts with the Force theme as the Jedi looks to Luke, then smiles knowingly at Vader before saluting his nemesis, forfeiting the duel. Interestingly, Williams uses Princess Leia's theme at the moment Ben vanishes, deferring to the purely musical effectiveness of the sweeping melody over any apparent thematic relevance, although the theme does reinforce the connection between the Princess and the old Jedi suggested by her holographic message. A triumphant statement of the Rebel Fanfare occurs as the Falcon successfully escapes the Death Star, bookending its earlier use. This is followed by a sentimental rendition of Ben's theme, passed first from oboe to flute and then (after a clarinet climbs up and down the scale to initiate a key change) from French horn and back to oboe. A rhythmic phrase builds as Han, Luke, Chewie, and Leia prepare to engage attacking sentry fighters. The music for the TIE Fighter Attack is based on the Rebel Fanfare, with descending five-note phrases occurring throughout. This is film scoring at its most triumphant - a cue unlike any other ever written fora movie, and so kinestheticaliy connected to the imagery that it is impossible to believe either existed before the other. A crescendo is reached with the Death Star motif, which brilliantly carries the drama into its final act by musically reminding the audience that the real battle is still to come.