Brings iconic Star Wars music to life

written film score not only enhances the movie, but also gets ‘‘ingrained in the brain’’.

That means people can continue to enjoy the music, even without the images, because it reminds them ‘‘of that feeling – the movie that they loved’’.

He says while orchestral soundtracks aren’t a massive trend currently, they are still the go-to for ‘‘bog-standard Hollywood blockbusters’’.

‘‘You can’t get that massive, dramatic feel without it.

‘‘It was John Williams who started the trend back to pure orchestras with Star Wars. The 1940s and 50s were the golden era for Hollywood orchestral stuff, but by the late 1960s and 70s big band, more racy soundtracks were dominant – think The French Connection or Mission: Impossible.’’

When asked what sets Williams’ New Hope score apart, McKeich believed it’s partly to do with ‘‘that beginning’’.

‘‘That brass and the text – in 1977 that just blew people’s minds, even if we take it for granted now.

‘‘His music was huge and based on a lot of the old classical composers from the romantic and most-romantic eras – Mahler, Strauss, Holst – a repertoire that’s kind of familiar for a big symphonic orchestra.

‘‘Then he did it in his own way. It’s just really well-written – it’s dramatic and great fun and everyone’s got some nice things to play – big solos, difficult stuff that keeps you occupied.’’

But with virtually all audience members familiar with the scores being played ‘‘just-so’’, doesn’t that mean that creatively playing music of this kind is somewhat limiting?

‘‘You can’t go crazy,’’ McKeich confirmed. ‘‘There’s a way everyone knows it and you’ve got to deliver that. It’s not like a symphony or other orchestral pieces. However, there’s an energy from a live show that you don’t get from a recording, even the original one with the pictures.’’

While there won’t be an encore for A New Hope in Wellington, two screenings of The Empire Strikes Back are scheduled for the TSB Arena on April 28.

Auckland’s Spark Arena will host A New Hope on May 4 and The Empire Strikes Back on May 5, and Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena will resound to the sounds of A New Hope on August 3.

‘‘You can’t go crazy. There’s a way everyone knows it and you’ve got to deliver that.’’ Hamish McKeich, left

Tickets for all performances are now on sale.

For more information, see nzso.co.nz/starwars.