STAR WARS: Symphony for a Saga

Revenge of the Sith Suite

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Original Release Date: 01/25/2007

Re-release Date: 05/28/2016

 

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

 

Revenge of the Sith Suite

 

01 – The Droid General

(00:00 - 01:12)

02 – Anakin and Padmé

(01:12 - 03:15)

03 – The End of the War is Near

(03:15 - 07:19)

04 – Revenge of the Sith

(07:19 - 11:10)

05 – Battle of the Heroes

(11:10 - 14:14)

06 – The Fall of Anakin Skywalker          

(14:14 - 19:22)

07 – The Boy You Trained, Gone He Is

(19:22 - 21:07)

08 – The Lava Planet

(21:07 - 24:24)

09 – Consumed by Darth Vader

(24:24 - 26:12)

10 – The Funeral March

(26:12 - 28:09)

11 – The Fate of the Twins

(28:09 - 29:24)

12 – Finale

(29:24 - 30:26)

 

 

Total Runtime

30:26

 

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Original recording sources are:

 

STAR WARS - EPISODE III : REVENGE OF THE SITH Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

*Suite includes previously unreleased music

 

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Personal Track Interpretation

 

"The Droid General"                                           (00:00 - 01:12)

 

“Revenge of the Sith Suite” begins with a strong rendition of "The Droid General", a new theme for a new villain, General Grievous. It felt appropriate to start with this theme as the events in the film are greatly influenced by Grievous. It is through his plot to capture the Chancellor that Anakin takes makes his first kill at Palpatine's bidding.

 

In addition, this cue quickly brings you back into the world of STAR WARS, one last time. The choir chants the power and danger of this new villain.

 

“Anakin and Padmé”                                          (01:12 - 03:15)

 

A mournful rendition of “Across the Stars” plays in "Anakin and Padmé ". This is the first, and tragically last time we see these characters privately as a married couple, embracing one another with hope for a joyful future in their unexpected child.

 

The tenderness of this piece is under scored by brewing tragedy, as if fate is rolling over them like an unyielding force. In this version of the Symphony, I made a conscious effort to cut out the shrill quality of Anakin's nightmare, hoping to extend the peace in Anakin and Padmé's relationship, just a bit longer.

 

“The End of the War is Near”                            (03:15 - 07:19)

 

"The End of the War is Near" combines several action cues from REVENGE OF THE SITH to embody the final hours of the Clone Wars. A triumphant rendition of the Force / Obi-Wan Kenobi's theme features prominently in this sequence, just before his final encounter with General Grievous.

 

This was such an incredible piece of music in the original Symphony, it needed to remain intact. Here I was able to tweak a few edits and improve the overall quality of the piece.

 

“Revenge of the Sith”                                         (07:19 - 11:10)

 

By far the most brooding piece of music in this suite is aptly titled "Revenge of the Sith". This sequence of music is meant to underscore the confusion placed upon the galaxy by the Phantom Menace, Lord Sidious. Not only does this cue reference Palpatine's seduction of Anakin Skywalker, but shows how the Sith Lord has been able to lead the entire galaxy down a deadly path. Finally, this sequence erupts into a frenzied version of the Emperor's motif symbolizing the collapse of the Republic and indeed the Galaxy.

 

"Revenge of the Sith" contains quite a few pieces of unreleased music. While the quality of these pieces is nowhere near official quality, I have taken great care to enhance and master them as best I could.

 

“Battle of the Heroes”                                         (11:10 - 14:14)

 

Placing "Battle of the Heroes" here came at great deliberation, but provides a fuller and unique listening experience.

 

Finally, I realized that this music has come to symbolize all of the heroic struggles from the Prequel Trilogy. Moving forward in the Symphony allows it to serve as a backdrop for Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Ki Adi Mundi, and the countless other Jedi Knights serving the Republic during the Clone Wars. "Battle of the Heroes" also clearly projects how the tide is turning against the heroes of the Old Republic, for their hour is nigh.

 

“The Fall of Anakin Skywalker”                        (14:14 - 19:22)

 

Very close to the original Symphony, "The Fall of Anakin Skywalker" remains my favorite moment in this suite. With a minor addition of some unreleased music, I was able to clean up edits nicely.

 

Musically, we begin with a representation of Palpatine's voice, whispering lies and deceit to the young Jedi. The calm tonal qualities of this piece lull you into unease quickly. The underscoring highlights the struggle within Anakin as he slips toward his destiny. Darth Vader's and Obi-Wan Kenobi's themes duel slightly, further highlighting this conflict.

 

Abruptly, Obi-Wan's theme is cut short, and Anakin's world begins to turn and become increasingly dark. The shrill entry of horns signifies Skywalker's final turn to the Dark Side of the Force. The choir then acts as the voice of the Galaxy in lament for the loss of the Chosen One.

 

I love this movement.

 

“The Boy You Trained, Gone He Is”                (19:22 - 21:07)

 

Capturing the feeling of Obi-Wan's realization of Anakin's turn is "The Boy You Trained, Gone He Is". This music relates the tragedy and loss of Anakin's destruction of the Jedi Temple and the execution of the other Jedi Knights. The future seems to be without hope as Obi-Wan leaves to face his former apprentice who is now his greatest enemy.

 

The last half of this section is also Padmé's heart breaking, unable to bear the loss of her husband.

 

“The Lava Planet”                                               (21:07 - 24:24)

 

An overbearingly dark theme, "The Lava Planet" was the third single for Symphony for a Saga. Throughout the Star Wars saga, there is no darker time than during the events on the planet Mustafar.

 

Beginning with a militarist cadence, "The Lava Planet" symbolizes Anakin Skywalker's seeming lack of humanity. Now as a Dark Lord of the Sith, Anakin mindlessly does his master's bidding as a leader in the new Galactic Empire. After the purge of the Jedi has begun, Anakin is sent to Mustafar to wipe out the Emperor's former allies, cementing his rule over the galaxy.

 

"The Lava Planet" depicts the final moments of the rise of Darth Vader when Anakin Skywalker casts aside his destiny as the Chosen One, and turns on his wife, Padmé, essentially killing her. In that instant, the boy Obi-Wan trained is no more and a final battle must be waged to rid the galaxy of the Sith.

 

Within the context of “Revenge of the Sith Suite”, this movement serves as the backdrop to Anakin’s duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, his former mentor, teacher and friend.

 

“Consumed By Darth Vader”                            (24:24 - 26:12)

 

From the depths of defeat, Anakin gives himself fully to hatred and is "Consumed by Darth Vader" after his battle with Obi-Wan. Here we feel Obi-Wan Kenobi's heart break over his former apprentice, "You were my Brother, Anakin!" What would be worse, to see your friend consumed by fire...or pure evil? Sadly, Obi-Wan is witness both.

 

This reworking of “The Immolation Scene” may sound a bit odd to first time listeners who know the cue so well. Artistically, notice the five key changes during the course of this theme. With this reworking, the key changes raise the emotion of the scene, ascending higher and higher. 

 

“The Funeral March”                                          (26:12 - 28:09)

 

I knew immediately when work began on this version of the “Revenge of the Sith Suite” I wanted to include the instrumental portion of "The Funeral March". I able to succeed in mastering some unreleased music well enough to make the blend perfect. I would have also enjoyed the inclusion of this theme blended with the Imperial March, but the feeling of the piece differed greatly.

 

I almost chose "The Funeral March" to be the single, but I felt it would be a much better surprise heard within the suite itself.  The extension of this theme from the first version is much welcomed.

 

This piece of music truly captures the sorrow experienced throughout the Prequel films. Remember, we have lost Qui-Gon, Anakin...and now Padmé, along with the majority of the Jedi Knights. It fitting then that The Force theme is woven into "The Funeral March".

 

“The Fate of the Twins”                                      (28:09 - 29:24)

 

In the wake of this tragedy, we must not forget "The Fate of the Twins". Luke and Leia go on to become “A New Hope” for peace and justice in the Galaxy. But this movement ends sadly with a lonesome rendition of Obi-Wan Kenobi's theme as he shrinks from Jedi Master into the desert to wait until the Skywalker twins call him forward once again.

 

“Finale”                                                                 (29:24 - 30:26)

 

The "Finale" of “Revenge of the Sith Suite” and the prequels, is a much debated ending. While many fans have voiced the opinion that a darker ending is needed, we should remember about our new hope and rejoice that this is not the end, but merely the end of the beginning.