Across the Stars
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- "Across the Stars" (2001) (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, track #2
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
Across the Stars (also known as Across the Stars (Love theme from Attack of the Clones) ) is the love theme from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It was composed and recorded for Attack of the Clones by John Williams for George Lucas.
The title is possibly a reference to Romeo and Juliet: the world's foremost Star-crossed lovers.
The track was part of the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack, released on April 23, 2002. Across the Stars was also featured on compilation album 20 Best of Love at the Movies, released on January 27, 2004.
The piece is played numerous times during the second and third episode, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, respectively, signifying the forbidden and ill-fated love between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala (parents of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa) which is destined to end with Anakin turning to the Dark Side (thus becoming Darth Vader) and Padmé dying of a broken heart soon after child-birth. Because of this recurring presence in both films, "Across the Stars" is considered to be a musical leitmotif of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, despite its absence in The Phantom Menace. The theme also bears a structural resemblance to Luke Skywalker's theme (also known as the main Star Wars theme), which seems appropriate, since Luke is the son of Anakin and Padme.
This orchestral piece, recorded at Abbey Road Studios is written in the key of F-sharp minor, but changes keys several times throughout its duration. It features a slow and tranquil opening, utilizing the oboe and strings heavily, as do many John Williams love themes. The theme features many leaps of minor sixths. Nearly the entire theme is underscored with triplet arpeggios. Finally, the end of this musical composition features a haunting solo by the harp, repeating the initial theme with colourful ornaments.
This theme is heard in the following tracks:
- Across the Stars (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Yoda and the Younglings (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Anakin and Padme (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Briefly in The Meadow Picnic (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Love Pledge and the Arena (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Two separate times in Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
- Anakin's Dream (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
- Padmé's Ruminations (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
