Origins of SW music?

Im doing my junior thesis paper on the influence of romantic composers in the realm of soundtrack composers, specifically the one and only JW. However I am having trouble fnding credible and 'checkable' info regarding the influence on star wars score. I've talked to some professors about it and they don't seem to know much (contrary to their belief!)

So I thought why not release this question to all the crazy JW/SW fans out there and get some real answers:

What do you think are some noticable influences of classical music in star wars? Any good sites?.....

 

I`d imagine JW based the orignal ANH score on the mythology Geogre based the story on,at least thats how I see it...

 

Holst's The Planets was a notable influence on Williams when he wrote the Star Wars score in 1977. Particularly the Venus movement for Leia's theme and the Mars movement for the Imperial Attack cue. Wagner's Leit motif approach to opera was also quite influential on how Williams developed the thematic palatte of the SW scores. Consider as well the influence of Orff's Carmina Burana on cues like Duel of the Fates.

You might also try the jwfan.net website for some very knowledgeable music people. Some there are both well educated in music and in Williams' music.

 

Well, definitely Wagner and Holst. Also, some of the classic film score composers like Erich Korngold, Max Steiner, Alfred Newman and Miklos Rosza.

 

Yeah, Korngold for sure. The Main Title borrows part of his Kings Row Main Title note-for-note!

 

Another big influence is Wagner. This is an absolutely wonderful site about Star Wars and Wagner's Ring. And I wrote a whole thesis paper deal about how Williams used Wagner's idea of leitmotifs and themes in the SW scores, so if you need resources or anything on that, just ask

-sj loves kevin spacey

 

any of the original star wars score was based on a style that GL, wanted JW to work with. Williams created on from there.

 

Speaking of Korngold check out "The Adventures of Robin Hood" sometime.

I swear there is the basis of Ewok-type music in there!