Darth Vader Symphony part 2

trombone choir

John Williams

Star Wars

creative

This is my overdub of my arrangement of "The Immolation Scene" from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

This is the aftermath of "Lord Vader is Forged"...the fiery defeat of Anakin at Obi-Wan's hands. Incredibly dark and searing music as hubris and ego meets it's downfall...

On a personal note, I dedicate this to Jon Whitaker and my friends at the University of Alabama for hosting me in an incredible weekend of great music making!! More to come!!!!

The Immolation Scene

Here is my latest overdub of my new trombone choir arrangement, "Across the Stars", the love theme from Star Wars episode 2 again, brilliantly composed by John Williams.

In my continuing fascination with Anakin's transformation into Vader, this music provides a necessary piece of his journey. Ultimately it's his love of Padme that leads him to accept doing horrific and dark deeds in order to harness the power to keep her alive…at all costs. In the end his actions cost him the very thing he wanted to protect.

The music begins so lyrically and with such flow. The middle section giving way to the dark aggressive foreshadowing of what's to come. This flowing melody ultimately comes to rest where it never really left, in sadness...

Across the Stars (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode 2)

A good friend of mine (who's a fabulous composer/conductor as well!) once said to me,"No one writes an action sequence as well as John Williams."

I heartily agree!!

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "The Battle Over Coruscant" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams. This is the huge space battle sequence in the opening of the film. It's an incredible setting of "The Force" melody in the start which give way to an incredibly intense interplay.

Lately I've been catching some grief for doing so many arrangements from Star Wars Episodes 1-3. My response is,"The movies may not be that great, but the music is incredible and tells a way better story than the acting!"

To my sound cloud followers, please help me get these John Williams arrangements published and sign this petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/john-williams-trombone-ensemble-arrangements

Thanks and enjoy the latest overdub!!

Battle Over Coruscant

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of "Anakin's Betrayal" by John Williams from the score to Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith."

This is the music heard when Anakin, continuing his downward spiral towards evil, commits the ultimate betrayal and turns on the Jedi order. 

He's allowed Emperor Palapatine to poison his mind and convince him the Jedis are a threat...all Jedis...even the younglings...and therefore must be destroyed...

With cold brutality, he follows through with his masters orders, no longer as Anakin, but as Lord Vader.

John Williams captures so fully the pain and turmoil of this pivotal moment with an unrelentingly languid setting of what is the beginning of the evil Empire.

Anakin's Betrayal

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It's high time I finally did an arrangement and overdub of the Star Wars Main Title Intro… 

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of the Star Wars Main Title Intro which we've all known and loved for nearly 4 decades. This leads perfectly into my previous overdub of the "Battle Over Coruscant" from Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith."

Enjoy!

Star Wars Main Title/Battle Over Coruscant

I used Eastwest Hollywood Winds/Brass/strings, and percussion/harp from EWQLSO. I used a Steinway D for the piano part. I used Symphonic Choirs for the choirs. 

Battle of the Heroes(Star Wars Cover)

My latest overdub is a "Reboot" of a new revamped arrangement of music from Superman by John Williams.

It's always fun to go back to something you played a long time ago and see how your skills have changed since then. Several people (Glenn Johnson, etc…) have asked me in one way or another "Why don't you go back and redo Superman now that you've come so far since the original?"

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since I started this whole overdub adventure! In an effort to get back into shape for the PSO season 2 years ago, I attempted to overdub my Superman March arrangement I did for Rusty McKinney's UUTE trombone ensemble all those years ago back in our Utah days. I never knew what was in store from just doing a little "overdubbing for fun…" Thanks to numerous tips from folks like Shawn Standing and Mike Hosford, I started learning the technology better and better as I went.

On the trombone side (thanks Steve Shires!), I've added a few members to this arrangement going from 9 to 14 parts: 
2 contrabass trombones (thanks Nick Schwartz for letting me borrow his land cannon Kanstul F contra!)
2 Bass Trombones
6 Tenor Trombones
3 Alto Trombones
1 Alto doubling on Soprano Trombone

Thanks Greg Black for the help on the mouthpieces!

On the technology side, since the original Superman overdub, I've gotten a better MacBook, vastly better microphone, real mixing board, serious "deadly accurate" headphones (my PSO friend and colleague Craig Knox once called his studio headphones that way…) and very importantly Logic recording software.

I've so enjoyed the events these overdubs have opened up and continue to open up. Looking forward to working with Keith Jackson, Brad Edwards, Carl Mazzio, Jon Whitaker, Michael Kris and Jonathan Allen this year! I'm also really excited to perform my choir arrangements with with my old friend and mentor, Norman Bolter at NEC and at the American (formerly Eastern) Trombone Workshop in March!!

I want to dedicate this "Reboot" to Norman Bolter and Carol Viera for their help "Rebooting" me all those years ago when I was a struggling student who'd lost his way. There was a time in college I almost hung it up. Norman and Carol helped me reboot, steered me away from the cliff and got me back in touch with the reasons and sentiments I got into music in the first place. 

All these pieces of brass, notes on a page, electrical wires and computer chips, etc…mean nothing and have no power if they aren't charged with a real human musical intent and energy. It's nice to plug back into that sentiment as I start another season here in Pittsburgh.

This new version is a combination of the Planet Krypton Fanfare (original arrangement by Shawn Standing) and  the Superman March as a little suite.

As an interesting measurement, first listen to the original versions I did 2 years ago:
Planet Krypton -  https://soundcloud.com/jimnova/krypton-fanfare-from-superman
Superman March -  https://soundcloud.com/jimnova/superman-overdub
 
THEN, listen to this new version:


Enjoy!

Planet Krypton/Superman March "Reboot" 2014

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” - Yoda

As some of you know, I have plans for a 2 volume overdub album loosely following the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker as he becomes Darth Vader. 

To that end, I'm slowly re-recording some of my past overdubs with my recent big improvements to my recording gear/software as well as my new instruments (soprano and contrabass trombones). I've also vastly improved and expanded the arrangements and added timpani/percussion parts.

Duel of the Fates still remains one of my top listened to soundcloud tracks with 13,931 listens! So I knew if I was going to redo it, it's was gonna have to be awesome.

Enjoy this “reboot” and stay tuned for the album which will have all the timpani/percussion parts.

Duel of the Fates "Reboot"

Serenity, Maychiro, and medusa exiled on Onderon. 

Onderon Theme

Unknown Theme--- Opening to the Final Chapter of the entire roleplaying storyline. 
Gardevoir's Theme Revealed as this one. Serenity's birth mother.

The storm is coming, and there is no escape (Final Chapter Opening Theme/Gardevoirs Sorrow Theme)

This was smashed together for the best effects! I wanna also say that the middle-to end part is Peter Hollands work and his friend! He is a resident here in Oregon! and much appreciated. Now onto the nitty gritty. This is the FINAL music between Serenity vs The Emperor. Now yes he "died" But his soul is still powerful. And she must fight and kill his soul in space and in spirit form. However it indeed renders her useless after but the first to middle part she and him fight but he wins and critically wounds her to a near fatality however around the end of the theme, she finally becomes one with the light and Communes to GOD and he gives her the strength known as Retribution. And she beats the living hell out of the Emperor in space and finally blasts him into a nearby Star that destroys his soul and essence ONCE and for ALL. and exploding the star too :P why not make fireworks! There will be ONE more song... to wrap this whole adventure up with a LONG description probably. Thank you all to Aniroleplay.com to the other roleplayers and community for sticking with us. Ever since 2007 to 2015. Eight years. Coulda done ten but its best now than later to end a long journey of RP that either was NOT planned or was planned. Still we all had fun. Thank you all for listening into this as well. There will be one more song coming- and its a suprise...

The Epic Finale: Serenity vs Vitiate. IN SPACE!!! (read description)

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xO6AWFHVps

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Brave Enough

Prism (Produced by Robert Delong)

Pre-order #BraveEnough on iTunes for an instant download of "The Arena." Album out worldwide 8/19! http://found.ee/BEiTunes2
Also available for pre-order here:
Target: http://found.ee/BETarget
AMAZON CD: http://www.found.ee/BEAmazonCD
B&N: http://found.ee/BEBarnesLP
AMAZON VINYL: http://www.found.ee/BEAmazonLP

The Arena

Here's my latest trombone choir overdub: "Anakin's Dark Deeds" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams. This is a “Reboot” of a recording I made a few years ago. As some of you know, I’m rerecording some of my old recordings with the new and improved gear and software I have in preparation for an album I will release.

This piece begins with the music which sets the scene after Anakin has slaughtered all the Jedi younglings and the lamenting aftermath. It’s his first act as Darth Vader. This quickly gives way to the brutal violence that ensues as Lord Vader destroys all the figures standing politically in the way of the Emperor, clearing the path for the Empire to take complete control.

The brilliant interplay between the low incessant voices pushing harshly forward and the bright soaring dissonances in the extreme high register show Darth Vader at his most unhinged and barbaric.

After the blazing G minor climax, the slow lamenting funeral march starts and gains momentum until finally the ringing D minor climax shows Vader, bathed in his own bloody hubris waiting a top a mountain of fire, to destroy the one person left in his way, his once friend, brother, mentor and now mortal enemy: Obi Wan Kenobi.

Anakin's Dark Deeds "Reboot"

Battle of the Heroes

My latest overdub recording is of my revamped trombone choir arrangement of “Battle of the Heroes“ from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams. This is a “Reboot” of a section of a recording I made a few years ago called “Lord Vader is Forged.” 

As some of you know, I’m rerecording some of my old recordings with the new and improved gear and software I have in preparation for an album I will release.

This music sets the epic battle between Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker among the molten landscape of Mustafar. Anakin has been corrupted by Emperor Palpatine and now views his once mentor, friend and brother as his mortal enemy. Anakin is defeated by Obi Wan, and is left for dead in the fires of this battle and rises as Lord Vader.

This piece is pure brutal intensity, straight through, no letting up…as a battle between Jedis would be…

Battle Of The Heroes "Reboot"

March at Jedi Temple And Execute Order 66

Part one of an ongoing musical project, SWIB: The Compendium.

Rule of One: Darth Sidious's doctrine was conceived to replace the Rule of Two, a doctrine he considered to have fulfilled its purpose by placing him in power, his Rule of One first proposed in his writing Absolute Power, in which the Sith would be embodied by a sole reigning Dark Lord—Sidious himself—who would live forever as Emperor of the galaxy with no need to train a replacement, only capable executioners of his will talented in the Force as dark side agents. These agents learned a smattering of Palpatine's abilities, and did not even take a fraction of his authority.

Rule of One

Here's my latest overdubbing homage to John Williams and my love of his music. I revisited my original arrangement that I did years ago and added some "Glenn Dodson" touches...ie: a lot more high notes...Really gave the alto a workout on this one...not to mention my chops...

Raiders March

James Nova joined the Grammy award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2009 as second/utility trombone. In 2012, Nova made his solo debut with the PSO, performing Henri Tomasi’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra. Prior to that, he was a member of the Utah Symphony Orchestra where he served eight seasons as assistant principal/second trombone. 
 
Since 2012, James Nova has found a new passion in multitrack recording, also known as "overdubbing." Overdubbing is a process by which a musician records all the parts of a piece of music one by one and layers the recordings on top of each other to create a full ensemble. Nova has released dozens of stunning and virtuosic tracks of his own challenging arrangements of exciting repertoire for trombone choir. The arrangements employ many different trombones: contra bass, bass, tenor, small tenor, alto, and even soprano trombones!
 
James Nova has had a lifelong love of John Williams’ film scores and in December of 2017, he released a new overdub album for trombone choir, A Fall from Light to Dark. Through the chosen moments of John Williams’ masterful scores, this album musically chronicles the rise and descent of Anakin Skywalker as he transforms into Darth Vader. Truly a one-man show, this album’s transcriptions, playing, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering were all done by Nova himself.

James Nova has always been passionate about music education. When not on stage at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony, he can be found at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University where he is adjunct trombone faculty, as well as the brass coach of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras. Given their widespread popularity, Nova’s recordings are playing an impactful role in inspiring the next generation of musicians and budding recording artists and he is frequently invited to teach outside the region. Since 2012, he has completed more than 85 visits to prominent festivals (such as the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, and the Korea Trombone Festival, among others) and reputable educational institutions (such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School of Music, and New England Conservatory, among others) as the featured artist and educator in concerts, masterclasses, and clinics.

James Nova studied with Glenn Dodson at the Curtis Institute of Music followed by study with Norman Bolter at the New England Conservatory of Music. While in Boston, Nova played regularly with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra, including recordings and television broadcasts as both principal and second trombone. 

James Nova is an S.E. Shires Artist and performs on his signature line of Greg Black Mouthpieces.

For more info, visit jimnova.com or hear his recordings at soundcloud.com/jimnova
 

Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.nova.3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimsupernova/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSNMj7Fm--kyxxXRTYqH00Q