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It's been a while since I've done an overdub so I knew the next one had to be powerful...

In the Star Wars films I've always been fascinated by how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. How does someone with such promise  have his sense of purpose so terribly twisted and misguided? How does he end up destroying everyone he loves and facing his beloved friend and mentor as an enemy?

I've always felt in many ways the music of John Williams tells these dramas better than the films. This trombone choir arrangement and overdub I did is a little suite I call "Lord Vader is Forged," It's a combination of "Anakin's Dark Deeds" (transcribed by ear by my good friend Shawn Standing) which goes attacca into "Battle of the Heroes." 

This is the music that accompanies the build up to, and ensuing light saber battle between Anakin and Obi Wan in "Revenge of the Sith" which ends with Anakin defeated and Lord Vader rising from the molten fires...

I especially find potent the transformation of the opening melody in the first minute, dark and round as it journeys towards rage and anger, unleashing fury.

I think I finally have an overdub to give "Duel of the Fates" a run for it's money...

Lord Vader is Forged

Roll20 Fight In A Bar

Grungust - Roll20 - Greatest Battle Music Of All Times - Sons Of War

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's my overdub of my trombone ensemble arrangement of "Anakin's Theme" from Star Wars Episode 1, "The Phantom Menace." 

Much of this music is innocent and childlike as we see Anakin long before he's engulfed by the Dark Side of the Force. It moves through some rich lyrical material that sings of his love for his Mother but eventually arrives at a foreshadowing of the Imperial March most potently in the last few moments, as the low F minor harmony slowly blocks out the A major. The final double pedal A depicts the warning of the long fall Anakin will have from good into evil.

Another brilliant score by John Williams.

Anakin's Theme

Cantina Band - Star Wars

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "Anakin's Dark Deeds" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams.

It begins with the music which sets the scene after Anakin has slaughtered all the Jedi younglings and the lamenting aftermath. This quickly gives way to the brutal violence that ensues as Anakin 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 hubris waiting a top a mountain of fire, waiting to destroy the one person left in his way, his once friend, brother and mentor: Obi Wan Kenobi.

(Some of you may recognize the second half of this recording as the intro to my "Lord Vader is Forged" overdub. This recording is how the music is presented in the original soundtrack to "Revenge of the Sith". I thought it was more potent this way!)

Anakin's Dark Deeds

Indiana Jones Theme Song - HSO &amp; EWQL.mpg

Here's my latest trombone choir arrangement and overdub: "Padmés Funeral" from Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" composed by John Williams.

This is the music heard at the end of the film as Padmés funeral procession marches slowly in the streets of Theed on Naboo. She has died giving birth to the twins Luke and Leia. 

A powerful moment occurs as you look at Padmé in the casket and in her hands is the little trinket Anakin gave her…long before he was consumed with the evil and hate that turned him into Darth Vader…

I find this music so richly lamenting and languid as you realize it is the end of not just Padmé, but of freedom. John Williams again so beautifully captures this in music.

Padmés Funeral

Pedo Bear Song

The Church Basement ~ Secret Passage To Dracula's Castle

Tribute to John Williams, Goerge Lucas (even though he raped the saga), Darth Vader and the Emperor (My Lord).


Duel Of The Fates (Star Wars)

Clint Mansell - Dead Reckoning

Vitamin String Quartet - coldplay - paradise

Harry Potter Soundtrack - Hedwigs Theme

The Last of the Mohicans - Promentory

Song of the Ancients  Fate

Combat Theme 1 Roll20

Song of the Ancients (Devola)

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

Cover of the lovely theme track from the action thriller Movie "Face/Off", music by John Powell, music produced by Hans Zimmer.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Sound Editing at the 70th Academy Awards.

Face/Off theme

Our debut instrumental track, which features an acoustic nylon guitar theme representative of the streets of Seville..accompanied by a violin melody line. We hope you enjoy the music and do give in your valuable feedback! 

Three Musketeers 

Lead Guitars: Shahrukh Khan Sherwani
Rhythm Guitars: Zaryab Abbas
Violin: Hamza Butt

Music Production : Homeobox Studios
Mixing  & Mastering: Hassan Badshah 

Special thanks: Armaghan

[Three Musketeers. 2013. © All Rights Reserved]

Spanish Alley - 3 Musketeers

The Mummy - End Theme

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