A violinist plays the entire 20-part Princess Leia theme solo from Star Wars while in quarantine. Princess Leia is one of the most iconic female characters of all time. The princess of Alderaan was attempting to help save the galaxy from Darth Vader's clutches in A New Hope when she was haphazardly rescued by a Stormtrooper that was too short and a scoundrel. The rest, they say, is history.
The orchestral scores to the Star Wars films are simply as iconic as the characters themselves. Legendary composer John Williams was the man behind the music for all nine films, from the original trilogy to the prequels to the current movies. Williams did confirm that The Rise of Skywalker would be his last Star Wars score. While it's sad that Williams won't return for any future films in a galaxy far, far away, the themes that he left for fans will live on forever.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced artists stuck at home to get creative. Violinist Shaundra Baird Culatta said she hadn't been able to play in any of the orchestras she was a part of for several months. So, the musician recorded herself playing all 20 parts of Princess Leia's theme and posted it to YouTube. What's utterly masterful about the video is the fact that she more than likely had to transcribe parts that weren't originally written for a violin's register. The end result is simply effortless and epic, and truly a treat for the ears. Check out the full video below.
Princess Leia's theme is truly the perfect musical embodiment of Leia herself. Soft and lovely, with an undercurrent of strength that builds up to an incredible and majestic crescendo. Williams plays with variation on themes that he introduces to the audience from the beginning. For example, Princess Leia's theme was first utilized in A New Hope but followed Leia all the way to her funeral in The Rise of Skywalker. If anything, trying to catch Leia's theme in every movie she appears in would be a fun excuse for a Star Wars rewatch. (Some musically minded fans may have already caught her theme's subtle appearance in Rogue One as well.) Leia may have become one with the Force after saving her son in Rise of Skywalker, but the love for her character and musical theme will never fade.
There are so many things to enjoy about Star Wars, but the music of the franchise is so fantastic it could have its own subcategory. The future of Star Wars is still up in the air, but John Williams left behind an immortal musical legacy. He's created the scores for many major film franchises, but Star Wars is definitely his best work. Williams created an iconic theme for an iconic princess. Just like Leia herself, her musical theme is unforgettable.
Source: Shaundra Baird Culatta via YouTube