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

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 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

Okay...time to kick this Star Wars thing into overdrive. BIG TIME

Here's my overdub of my arrangement of Duel of the Fates from Star Wars Ep.1.

There's nothing to say. Let the music and the playing do the talking.

B

Toban Westbrook