As you may know, classical music of all kinds inspired composer John Williams as he wrote the Star Wars score. But what I’m really interested in is how master composer Beethoven exerted his influence on a galaxy far far away. Because there’s so much wonderful music to discuss in regards to the Star Wars score, check out part one of this series here, and get ready to explore some more of Beethoven in a world of lightsabers and wookies.
Darth Vader’s Imperial March
We’re all familiar with the infamous opening lines of “The Imperial March”.
“The Imperial March” is one of the most recognizable pieces of film music ever written. It opens with a militaristic accompaniment before the ominous theme dominates the music:
What’s so special about this theme? It oozes confidence – suggesting Vader can and will accomplish any galaxy takeover he desires. The militaristic approach to the percussion suggests discipline and order. But there’s something else about the theme I want to point out: the dotted eighth-note rhythmic motif (see beats 4 and 2 of the measures above). This rhythm appears several times throughout “The Imperial March”, and this is an important insight into Vader’s character.
The Imperial March is a Funeral March
Wait, what?
How is “The Imperial March” a funeral march? And what does this have to do with Beethoven? Let’s find out.
The Funeral March
A funeral march is a musical work with a slow, stately pulse imitating a funeral procession. One of the most common characteristics is the use of the dotted rhythm, representing the drums of an old military funeral tradition.
*For more information, read last week’s post about funeral marches here.
Chopin’s Funeral March
Let’s look at one of the most famous funeral marches of all time – Chopin’s Funeral March from his 2nd Piano Sonata (1837):
Do you hear the similarities between this piece and “The Imperial March”? The themes of both works have similar shapes:
The measures in blue follow the same general rhythmic and melodic pattern. Long notes followed by the dotted-eighth pattern repeats throughout both themes (remember that the dotted rhythm is characteristic of a funeral march). Each theme is structured around the tonic note of the key, and in the second half of the phrase each climbs up slightly before falling back down to the i chord (the diatonic chord that is built on the tonic note – this chord identifies the key signature in the context of the piece).
The measures in red also follow the same general pattern: the melody jumps up an octave and descends gradually until the blue measures repeat themselves.
With that in mind, I do believe Chopin’s funeral march greatly inspired Williams’ theme for “The Imperial March”.
But wait, how does this relate to Beethoven?
Beethoven’s Funeral March
Between 1800 and 1801, Beethoven composed his 12th piano sonata (in A-flat major, op. 26). During this time in his life, Beethoven started to experiment with his music by pushing the boundaries of what was “acceptable” to compose. Op. 26 was unconventional for the time; he began with a slow movement instead of the typical fast one, and the first movement is a theme and variations (which was also unheard of at the time – usually the first movement of a piano sonata followed a specific formula called sonata form).
The third movement of op. 26 is a funeral march (Beethoven called it “Funeral march on the death of a Hero”). Notice the slow tempo, the dotted rhythms, and the steady beat:
*Fun fact: this is the only movement Beethoven orchestrated out of his sonatas, and it was played at his own funeral procession.
Also notice the similarities in melody between Chopin’s funeral march and The Imperial March. The theme revolves around one note while the chords change underneath, and the left hand in the 2nd measure climbs up before falling back down.
Chopin greatly admired this piano sonata. In fact, his entire Piano Sonata No. 2 mimics characteristics of Beethoven’s op. 26 – right down to the funeral march movement. And pianist András Schiff, in a lecture he gave about this Beethoven sonata, mentions how Beethoven’s op. 26 was the only piece by him Chopin ever performed in public. It is no coincidence that these two funeral marches are similar; Beethoven heavily influenced Chopin’s funeral march.
*You can listen to the lecture here; skip to 25:15 to hear Schiff’s thoughts on the funeral march movement.
So there you have it. Beethoven wrote a funeral march in 1800, which in turn influenced Chopin’s funeral march almost 30 years later, which then inspired Williams as he composed Vader’s “Imperial March”.
Because of the amazing similarities and connections between the three pieces, I made a medley! Check it out:
*If you like it, download the free sheet music here:
Vader’s Funeral March
I know that “The Imperial March” doesn’t follow all of the characteristics of a funeral march. For one thing, it’s not slow and stately. However, I think that based on the defining features of Vader’s march – a steady pulse in the accompaniment, a dependence on the dotted rhythm, the minor key, and the time signature – we could safely say that “The Imperial March” is a warped kind of funeral march.
This idea can give us insights into Vader’s character: he is a symbol of death. “The Imperial March” is first played in the Death Star. He is revealed to have been Anakin Skywalker, who died during “Revenge of the Sith”. Once he transforms into Darth Vader, he kills a lot of people. And I think “The Imperial March” also foreshadows his own death during “Return of the Jedi”.
What do you think?
Also, check out this video of pianist and composer Richard Grayson improvising Vader’s march in the style of Beethoven. He opens like Moonlight Sonata, and masterfully builds a Beethoven-style work using “The Imperial March” theme.
I hope you enjoyed this post! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time. 🙂
That’s amazing! I had no idea of the connection. My family is huge star wars fans. This is very interesting. Thanks!
http://www.survivingisnotenough.com
I’m so glad you liked it!
Great work, once again I enjoyed reading into the funeral march series. Also you are quite the talent behind the piano and was happy to see you resembling the gorgeous princess Leia.
Thank you! It was fun to do. 🙂
I am blown away. You have such an amazing blog. Each post is so in-depth, well researched, and perfectly executed. Are you formally trained by any chance? Sounds like you have a lot of music theory under your belt.
Thank you so much! Such kind words. Yes, I have a bachelor’s degree in piano performance. So you could say I know a thing or two about music 😉
I can always spot a fellow music major!! I have a bachelor’s in voice, but piano has always been my first love.
That’s really cool. I’m not much of a singer, but I can appreciate that!
I know nothing about music and this was an interesting and engaging piece! The Star Wars familiarity probably played a small role too… Nice write-up!
Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it. I know that not everyone is as familiar with classical music as I am, but I had hoped this post would help readers learn something new. 🙂
But the difference, as I listen, is that Williams was writing for a movie and Beethoven was writing for his soul. I’m not trying to be cute here, it came to me as I listened to the Williams. One must admire him greatly for the store of wonderful music he’s been able to produce, but …
May I recommend the following video my cousin sent me a few days ago of Beethoven’s 5th, opening movement, at “the speed that he intended.” I burst into tears, because L.V. B. was in the room — and those first 2 opening salvos suddenly made sense by themselves and in the context. https://www.wimp.com/beethovens-5th-played-at-the-speed-he-intended/
Of course. But I do think maybe Williams was inspired by the funeral march. 🙂
That’s a wonderful video. Thank you for sharing! It’s so interesting to hear the 5th with that new mindset.
I agree about your discovery re Williams incorporating Ludwig. I remember one day “discovering” that so much of Beethoven’s music was written in the tonic and dominant, with the subdominant sneaking in now and then … it was eureka moment … as yours re Williams apparently was for you!
Just listened to Beethoven’s funeral march. Well, I’ve never. heard it before! And I call myself something of a classical music person. It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Back then, they all stole from each other … imitation, flattery, etc. But who could live in the same decades as Beethoven, or soon after, and not be completely under his sway? BTW, you’ll find half of Hamlet in a work by Montaigne… but that’s a horse of another kingdom.
Yes, it’s a wonderful piece. As my college music history professor always said, good composers write their own music but great composers steal from other composers. I’m not condoning stealing or plagarism by any means, but it is easy to see where the great composers have “borrowed” from other great composers! 😀
It’s an enormous pleasure to speak with other women who play classical piano. I stopped lessons many years ago and now love delving into pieces to discover as much as I can about the composer’s intent… like suddenly realizing one day that the key to Fur Elise is to really feel and hear it in 3/4 time! Who knew?? No doubt everyone but me.
I know what you mean about Fur Elise! The things we don’t pay attention to when we are younger… 🙂
Very interesting! I love when soundtracks use themes and rhythms from old classical tradition like this – almost like a secret code.
Me too! When you find music like this it’s like finding hidden treasure 🙂
Very interesting read! Love the connections made with these pieces. I just recently started watching Star Wars (I know I’m so behind don’t hate me haha) so it’s really relevant to me. x
I haven’t seen them all either😂 Glad you liked the post!
Thanks for connecting! I’m enjoying your blog (at least, enjoying skimming it, due to my post-1918 reading ban). I haven’t written about 1918 music yet but plan to soon–if you have any favorite composers/performers from that era, I’d love to hear about them. The big media sensation so far is teenage violin prodigy Jascha Heifetz.
Glad you like it so far. 😊 I’ll have to get back to you on composers from 1918, but I’m excited to read your thoughts about music from that time!
I listened again. It’s wonderful how they all have the same thematic pattern, and also how great each one is! I’d love to hear them all together! (In the same key though, I think.)
I did write a mash-up of the three pieces if you haven’t heard it yet; it’s the second-to-last video in the post!
Bet you couldn’t have done that without the hair Danishes 🙂
Haha you’re probably right!
It is a very interesting and informative post. I like it.