A LONG time ago in a galaxy far, far away.........(well, the Anvil Studios in Denham, England in 1977 to be more precise) an Oscar-winning composer picked up his baton to conduct the score for what was considered at the time to be a very over-ambitious space epic.
That composer was John Williams, who, when he was approached by a young George Lucas to compose the soundtrack of Star Wars, probably had no idea just how popular the tale of Luke Skywalker would become around the world.
Despite Lucas's concern it would not be well received, Star Wars: A New Hope, and it's sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi became three of the world's most popular and best-loved films since their release in 1977, 1980 and 1983, respectively.
Even the three prequels, made over two decades after the originals, found their place in the hearts of the original die-hard fans and managed to bring George Lucas's dream to a new generation.
But it's been often discussed, debated and wondered whether its success would have been even half as much without William's melodic, haunting and iconic score.
As a fan bordering on obsessive geek when it comes to anything to do with the Rebel Alliance vs the Empire, my personal opinion is no, it wouldn't have done.
In fact, I can't help but get goosebumps when that opening fanfare begins and always start humming it whenever I hear the 20th Century Fox music.
So the debate over Williams's contribution to the films was, for me at least, put to rest this weekend as 20,000 people packed into London's O2 Arena for the World Premiere of Star Wars: A Musical Journey.
Although it was the London Symphony Orchestra that was conducted by Williams in March 1977, this time it was the turn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra to pick up their instruments.
On the edge of my seat out of sheer excitement, the hair on the back of my neck stood to attention as Belgian conductor Dirk Brosse (who bore an uncanny resemblance to England manager Fabio Capello) picked up his baton.
The 86-piece orchestra wowed the arena as they performed the live score accompanied by a laser show and excerpts from the six films on a cinema screen behind the stage.
And the biggest thrill, certainly for myself, was the narrator, none other than actor Anthony Daniels, who spent his role in the films as droid C3PO in a shiny gold suit.
On this particular night, however, he was suited and booted in his finest dinner jacket
as he told the story of Anakin and Luke Skywalker and the battle between the good Rebellion and the evil Empire.
He received his most rapturous applause of the night when he suddenly launched
into his most famous character halfway through his narration, introducing him as "a masterpiece of engineering, an amazing droid'.
But the biggest cheers that rang around the Docklands venue were saved for the visual introduction of Jedi master Yoda, sexy smuggler Hans Solo (yes, I admit to him being my first ever crush) and his steady sidekick Chewbacca.
It ended with images of Williams conducting the scores from 1977 to 2005 and fittingly, Daniels closing the night with a wish to each and every one of us - 'May the Force be with you, always.'
by music-news.com
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