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 by 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’s Star Wars played no small role in its enduring popularity. Since then, he has returned to provide new music for each film in the main Skywalker saga, including the recent Star Wars sequels.
John Williams’ most recent contribution to the Star Wars franchise was his composition of the main theme song for 2022′s Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Now an exciting, first-of-its-kind performance from Polaris Dawn Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis (posted to YouTube by Space Intelligence) has made “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens the first violin performance conducted in orbit. Check it out below:
Joined by youth musicians from around the globe, Gillis’ performance follows on the heels of the SpaceX engineer-turned-astronaut performing a historic 106-minute spacewalk outside the Dragon spacecraft along with Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
Why Rey’s Theme Is The Perfect Music For This Iconic Moment
The decision to introduce Daisy Ridley’s Rey as Star Wars’ latest protagonist in 2015’s The Force Awakens necessitated an appropriate leitmotif that separated her character from her predecessors. Wishing 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.
Performed in collaboration with child musicians from the international El Sistema network of organizations, Gillis herself explains that Rey’s Theme perfectly “symbolises unity and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere.” Its underlying sense of optimism is a fitting tribute to an international organization aimed at promoting musical education and social change. Moreover, the composition’s origins as an adventure theme also highlight the vastly impressive technological and logistical feats involved in delivering a flawless performance both in space and across the globe.
An Incredible Moment As Star Wars Really Does Reach The Stars
This latest moment is a further continuation of the union between the Star Wars brand and space-based exploration. In 2007, in honour of the franchise’s 30th anniversary, Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber hilt was flown to the International Space Station. Then in 2017, astronauts aboard the station were treated to a showing of The Last Jedi just days after its terrestrial release. Now John William’s iconic Star Wars music has made yet another impressive space-based leap for fankind.
Source: Space Intelligence/YouTube
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
- Cast
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Mark Hamill
, James Earl Jones
, David Prowse
, Carrie Fisher
, Harrison Ford
, Daisy Ridley
, Adam Driver
, Ian McDiarmid
, Ewan McGregor
, Rosario Dawson
, Lars Mikkelsen
, Rupert Friend
, Moses Ingram
, Frank Oz
, Pedro Pascal - TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian
, Andor
, Obi-Wan Kenobi
, The Book of Boba Fett
, Ahsoka
, The Acolyte
, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
, Lando
, Star Wars: The Clone Wars
, Star Wars Rebels
, Star Wars: The Bad Batch
, Star Wars: Resistance
, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
, Star Wars: Visions - Character(s)
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Luke Skywalker
, Han Solo
, Rey Skywalker
, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
, Obi-Wan Kenobi
, Ahsoka Tano
, Grand Admiral Thrawn
, Grand Inquisitor
, Reva (The Third Sister)
, The Fifth Brother
, The Seventh Sister
, The Eighth Brother
, Yoda
, Din Djarin
, Grogu
, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
, Leia Organa
, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
