The Star Wars Soundtrack composed by music legend John Williams has officially found its place among the stars. Responsible for some of the most recognizable film scores in modern history, Williams was first recommended to Star Wars Creator George Lucas through their mutual friend and collaborator Steven Spielberg. Selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest American film score of all time, Williams’ contribution to 1977 Star Wars played no small role in its enduring popularity. Since then, he has returned to provide new music for every film in the main Skywalker saga, including the latest Star Wars Sequels.
Now an exciting, first-of-its-kind performance by Polaris Dawn Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis (posted to YouTube by Space Intelligence) made “Ray’s Theme” by Star Wars: The Force Awakens The first violin performance conducted in orbit. Check it out below:
Joined by youth musicians from around the world, Gillis’ performance follows on the heels of the SpaceX engineer-turned-astronaut performing a historic 106-minute spacewalk outside the Dragon spacecraft alongside tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
Why Ray’s theme is the perfect music for this iconic moment
The decision to introduce Daisy Ridley’s Rey as Star Wars Last protagonist in 2015s The Force Awakens An appropriate leitmotif was necessary, which separated her character from her predecessors. Wanting to lean more heavily into an adventure theme, rather than a more stereotypical hero theme, Williams’ string and woodwind-based composition Perfectly echoes her character’s sense of hope and aspirations Beyond the sand-covered world of Jakku.
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Conducted in collaboration with child musicians from the international El Sistema network of organizations, Gillis himself explains that Rey’s theme perfectly “Symbolizes unity and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere.” His underlying sense of optimism is a fitting tribute To an international organization that aims to promote musical education and social change. Furthermore, the composition’s origins as an adventure theme also highlight the vastly impressive technological and logistical feats involved in delivering a flawless performance in space and around the world.
An incredible moment as Star Wars really reaches for the stars
The last moment is a further continuation of the union between the Star Wars Brand and site-based exploration. In 2007, in honor of the franchise’s 30th anniversary, Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber heels flew to the International Space Station. Then in 2017, astronauts on the station were treated to a show of The Last Jedi Just days after its earthly release. Now John William’s iconic Star Wars Music has made yet another impressive space-based leap for fans.
Source: Space Intelligence/ YouTube