All photos by Geneviève Rafter Keddy
Last night, the public had the chance to discover the music of star wars like never before as New York Pops took us to a galaxy far, far away. Steven Reineke led the phenomenal orchestra in an all-new program that included music from all nine Skywalker saga films plus the two anthology films, A thug and Solo– all in chronological order.
Under maestro Steve Reineke, the Pops were in rare form as they thoroughly entertained an audience that had supported them for 40 years.
Steven Reineke
Starting with The Phantom Menace, we were treated to The Parade of Flags. From Attack of the Clones Through the stars in Battle for heroes from Revenge of the Sith, ending with The Adventures of Han from Solo: A Star Wars Story. We were taking a galactic dive into the supersonic music that created the soundtracks of the Star Wars film franchise, unearthing the out-of-this-world magic of John Williams’ score.
All compositions by John Williams except The Empire Suite by Michael Giacchino of Rouge One. Williams’ star wars the score is downright masterful, unforgettable and instantly iconic.
The beautiful and bewitching Princess Leia Theme comes from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, just like the title’s main theme. Williams uses an orchestration inspired by Wagner and simply unbelievable melodies made star wars as recognizable by ear as by name or visually.
Yoda’s Theme and The Imperial March come from Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, which led up to the intermission. Percussive triplet rhythms contrasted with bold notes is that the detailed strings and woodwinds flourish. There is also an intense syncope. It’s easy to understand why star wars is often described as a space opera.
Act Two began with Return of the Jedi and the Haunting Luke and Leia and The Battle of the Forest.
The Force Awakens has begun Roy’s Theme and The Resistance March.
The rebellion is reborn comes from The Last Jedi.
The surprise of the evening was the continuation of The Rise of Skywalker, which included Psalm of the Sith, The Rise of Skywalker, Roy and Ben and speeder hunt.
The encore was my favorite track Canteen Band from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The NY Pops are a fabulous symphony orchestra and do what symphony orchestras do best: rich sounds, bold colors, with contrasting textures and the music of John Williams brought it out strong.
You can join The NY Pops on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall for Broadway blockbusters with by Judith Clurman Essential Voices United States, Nikki Renee Daniels (Broadway’s Company, The Book of Mormon), Jordan Donica (Broadway’s my lovely lady, The Phantom of the Opera; The San Francisco and Los Angeles companies hamilton), Matt Doyle (winner of the 2022 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in Company), and Melissa Errico (Broadway’s my lovely lady, High society, Love).
Richard Maltby, Jamie deRoy