Darth Vader Symphony part 2

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

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

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

My latest overdub is of my trombone choir arrangement of the "Throne Room and Closing Titles" by John Williams from the score to Star Wars Episode 4, "A New Hope."

This music truly captures the noble and victorious energy at the end of the film. I richly enjoyed doing this overdub as it readily connects me to my childhood.

This recording is rife with unabashed high Fs, G flats and Gs (listen for the last chord!!) but more importantly, I tried to capture the excited and hopeful spirit of the ending scene of the movie that started it all, "Star Wars Ep.4, A New Hope"

Enjoy!

Star Wars Throne Room/Closing Titles

Here is my "Reboot" of my new and expanded arrangement of Padmé's Funeral from Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith". This has a different ending than the previous version.

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).

This is the music that accompanies the scene in Star Wars Episode 3, "Revenge of the Sith" as we see Padmé being laid to rest. Then it cuts to Darth Vader and the Emperor as they see the Death Star being built.

John Williams masterfully weaves the Imperial March under the funeral music to powerful effect.

Enjoy!

Padmé's Funeral "Reboot"

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"

Imperial March “Reboot”

My latest overdub recording is of my revamped trombone choir arrangement of the Imperial March from the score to Star Wars “The Empire Strikes Back” composed by John Williams. This is a “Reboot” of my original arrangement.

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, hopefully soon!

It really kicks into “Full Vader mode” in the last minute…

“Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me." - Darth Vader

Imperial March "Reboot"

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
 

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