STAR WARS: Symphony for a Saga

Attack of the Clones Suite

AOTC-Suite.jpg

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Original Release Date: 01/25/2007

Re-release Date: 05/06/2016

 

Tracks Compiled and Edited 02/14/2006 – 01/25/2007

(A total of 46 edits have been made)

 

All music composed by John Williams

Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra

 

Attack of the Clones Suite

 

01 - Across the Stars

(00:00 - 02:27)

02 - Master Yoda's Lesson

(02:27 - 03:58)

03 - A Dangerous and Disturbing Mystery

(03:58 - 06:30)

04 - Attack of the Clones

(06:30 - 09:24)

05 - The Tatooine Interlude

(09:24 - 10:00)

06 - Anakin and the Senator        

(10:00 - 11:51)

07 - To A Dark Place

(10:30 - 12:48)

08 - The Shroud of the Dark Side

(18:58 - 24:08)

 

 

Total Runtime

24:08

 

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Original recording sources are:

 

STAR WARS - EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

 

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Personal Track Interpretation

 

“Across the Stars”                                               00:00 - 02:27)

 

The epic theme for the second STAR WARS prequel, "Across the Stars" is found throughout the film, much in the same way “Han Solo and the Princess” is the foundational theme from The Empire Strikes Back. Originally this theme is meant to embrace the love story between the young Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala. Now the theme seems to connect less with the love story, and more with the tragedy of the prequels. Placing "Across the Stars" at the beginning of this suite signifies a loss of innocence and is a hallmark of the darkness to come.

 

“Master Yoda's Lesson”                                     (02:27 - 03:58)

 

Yoda's theme is essential to Attack of the Clones, and not merely for the film's heroic ending. In Attack of the Clones the relationship between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda is strengthened from the ambivalence seen in The Phantom Menace.

 

The boys’ choir during "Master Yoda's Lesson" embodies the spiritual nature of Yoda's knowledge as he shares it with his pupils and Obi-Wan. This segment ends with an appearance of William's “Force Theme”, often directly associated with Obi-Wan and musically further strengthening his relationship with Yoda.

 

“A Dangerous and Disturbing Mystery”          (03:58 - 06:30)

 

Titled from Yoda's quotation during the film, "A Dangerous and Disturbing Mystery" highlights the adventure Obi-Wan Kenobi embarks on to discover the secret behind Senator Amidala's attempted assassination. The idea of a film noir detective story within the STAR WARS universe was an exciting prospect for fans, and William's “Mystery” theme sets the tone perfectly.

 

While story arc of the film leaves no question to this riddle's answer (the Senator correctly names Count Dooku as the villain behind her assassination immediately in the film), yet with a good imagination, fans will still be able to enjoy this mystery simply by listening to William's theme which is always whispering that danger is close by.

 

When creating the original Symphony, this theme was absent and was at the top of the list to add back into the film's suite. "A Dangerous and Disturbing Mystery" was originally intended to be the suite's single.

 

“Attack of the Clones”                                        (06:30 - 09:24)

 

"Attack of the Clones" was a fan favorite sequence in the original Symphony, and is mostly intact. This action piece reminds us of the images of Obi-Wan and Jango standing off at Kamino, the speeder chase on Coruscant, and hopefully the Battle of Geonosis.

 

While not meant to convey images of any specific battle, "Attack of the Clones" effectively shows how chaos is breaking loose across the galaxy as The Clone Wars begin. This segment's new ending should leave the listener with an unsettling feeling. After all, the Clone Wars are only just beginning.

 

In addition, the ending flute evokes the musical feeling of the classic STAR WARS trilogy scores, and helps musically connect the two trilogies together.

 

“The Tatooine Interlude”                                    (09:24 - 10:00)

 

Tatooine holds a special place in the heart of STAR WARS fans, however over-used the planet may be during storytelling. This new piece of music proudly displays the oddity of the world that is home to the Skywalker family.

 

“Anakin and the Senator”                                  (10:00 - 11:52)

 

"Anakin and the Senator" was the single for the “Attack of the Suite”. In the original Symphony, this theme was given a brief appearance as part of a larger sequence. When it came time to remix this suite, this untitled theme was in obvious need for improvement.

 

While "Across the Stars" is generally believed to be the love theme for the second STAR WARS prequel, I disagree. After working on this particular theme, this is the love theme. This courtship music creates instant images of romance, not only between the young Padawan and Naboo's senator, but of young love itself.

 

We are reminded of the quiet time spent on Naboo, away from a galaxy embracing war. Alone, love is kindled between "Anakin and the Senator"...a love that would change the fate of the STAR WARS universe, forever.

 

The title for "Anakin and the Senator" is an ode to another favorite romantic theme in the STAR WARS saga: "Han Solo and the Princess".

 

“To A Dark Place”                                                (11:51 - 18:58)

 

Anakin Skywalker is unsettled by his growing love for Senator Padme. At the same time, he is haunted by visions of his dying mother. Lacking the discipline to focus on the task at hand, Anakin is absorbed with emotion, and in a rash decision is led down a path of darkness.

 

"Duel of the Fates" is reprised here, almost pleading with Anakin against his terrible anger. As Anakin succumbs to revenge, he takes one more step closer to his dark fate. This sequence is given its own prominence in this version of the Symphony, with only a few improved edits.

 

“The Shroud of the Dark Side”                         (18:58 - 24:08)

 

Nearly identical to the original Symphony, "The Shroud of the Dark Side" should instantly bring forth the images of Count Dooku and Darth Sidious plotting the fall of the Republic. As the Grand Army of the Republic is born, the rise of the Empire begins. With this turn of events, the reprisal of the theme "Across the Stars" is altered, and now forms a military cadence.

 

This final piece ends with a quotation of "Anakin's Theme" and slowly progresses into a sad rendition of "The Imperial March", signifying how the innocent Tatooine boy is indeed the galaxy's greatest villain.