Me again, here to defend this particular creation as one of the greatest 'unknown' compositions Williams ever composed - for the reason that I can think of no other piece that so brilliantly uses a handful of pure 'Wagnerian' leitmotivs to effectively elucidate (the discovery of) the triple identity of Kal-El. I say 'Wagnerian' because two of the three motives used here never quite develop into full melodies with development, recap, etc. I call the three motives 'The Mystery (Clark)', 'Krypton' (Kal-El), and 'The Hero (Superman)'. The last of the three is clearly heard, fully developed, in the final few moments of the composition, but it occurs earlier, in very rudimentary form, as a series of brass stabs as the Fortress is forming (at 2:05). But it is the interplay of 'The Mystery' and "Krypton' which makes the music so splendid. Note the statement of 'The Mystery' on the oboe at the beginning, almost as a plea ('Who am I?'), it then modulates, becomes more urgent as it were, then modulates again, echoed by bassoon - only to be followed by full strings playing out an interpolation of 'Krypton' - vague, unformed. The 'Mystery' is stated several more times. At 2:50, with the Fortress fully formed, the 'Krypton' motif (i.e.: 'This is who you really are.") is proclaimed (and crafty fox that he is, Williams, consciously uses French horn to give it full-on Wagnerian grandeur!), the motive then 'relaxes' and is restated on trumpet, with a counter 'argument' of the 'Mystery'. Later note that as the Jor-El hologram explains everything, the 'Krypton' motif is heard on a synthesized glass harmonica - halting, fragmentary, as if Kal-El's knowledge is being slowly collected and assembled. I am a music teacher, and so brilliantly conceived and executed is this piece that I use it to teach the concept of the leading motive and how it can be braided with narrative to elucidate the idea of identity. Thanks, John, your talent is much appreciated.
"Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."
I have to say, John Williams is an amazing composer. All of his work, is totally different and original. You Get Hans Zimmer. Yeah his work is great too, but you can recognize a lot of the same type of theme in all of the movies he does. Where as Williams it's so subtle if not even there, you hardly notice it. Every Zimmer movie I can tell the theme is from Dark Knight, or Pirates or something. Don't get me wrong I love his music, I just think Williams is a much better composer. A lot more emotion and story can be heard in these where as Zimmer sounds more mechanical . I guess it's like comparing apples to oranges lol
I don't think I'd quite go that far. Now, personally I do prefer a Williams score to a Zimmer score, but when you hear, for instance, the Indiana Jones theme and Superman themes, you can definitely tell it's from the same guy, and a lot of the same composition is there in both too.
If you listen to Williams theme music in 'Nixon' he reused a lot of that theme and style in 'Attack of the Clones'. So yeah, he has a style that can be recognized, but as you say, not as much as Zimmer.
La razón te asiste. Williams es un maestro de lo que es narrar una película musicalmente, y que otros como Zimmer harían bien en tomar nota. Con el respeto debido, el problema no es Zimmer. El es producto de la decadencia existente que presenta la abismal oferta actual, que no termina de satisfacer. Sus composiciones tienen acordes que se parecen. Hasta mi nieto de año y medio prefiere las películas de Reeve, debido a que no encuentra las notas que presente al héroe. Sin embargo, la composición que hizo Williams para "Superman The Movie", simplemente es un trabajo de lujo, que difícilmente pase por la puerta del tiempo.
Williams has his own style too that you can spot in films. I've found his later work to be rather dull, but of course he nailed it with most of the blockbusters like Superman, Indy films, etc.
This piece of music alone shows more emotion and imagination in such a spectacular way that I honestly think DC and Marvel will never be able to capture the raw spirit that Superman had.
Coming on the heels of two magnificent, unassailable, Oscar worthy scores ("Star Wars" and "CE3K"), this somehow always seems to get lost in the shuffle, and yet it is massive and magnificent - it actually elevates the subject, projecting Supe from a comic book hero to something more classical in his heroism. It is easy to dismiss this score as an extension of the two prior, but hearing this reminds me how incredible and "unto itself" it is.
7:38-7:56 "They can be a great people Kal-el,they wish to be. The only lack the light to show way. For this reason above all,their capacity for good. I have them you....... My Only Son."
This just brings me back to 78, so many memories. Always listened to main title, krypton theme and of course love theme. This is an excellent score, its up there with the much underrated score for close encounters( caught the mood of the time). Thanks for posting.
Every note of music that John williams composed for this magical score is captivating and this cue is one of them. Perfectly captured the beauty and frigidness of the fortress! Amazing how John is able to narrate each scene of this movie by the power of his music, love how this theme was used also in Superman 4 as Superman went to the deceased Krypton council about the nuclear distructrion dilemma.
It would've been super if Clark had seen the spirit of his Kryptonian mother,Lara,right beside the spirit of his Kryptonian father,Jor-El,as he was being told of where he comes from,how he got those powers and other things before he's returned to Earth and becomes Superman. Superman's foster mother,Martha Kent,designed his costume well.
Yet another musical score, movie, and story that today's modern I-phone toting social media using, devoid of history and heritage, shallow movie-makers will EVER replicate. They can reboot, refresh, refresh the remake, and reimagine it - and their versions will never ever have the richness and heart and charm of the original.
It's just me, and sorry to offedn, but after listening to this .. the rest of UA-cam seems like adolescent trashy bitter videos, beneath this classy soundtrack and character. That's a bit much I know, but I can't help it. Later on I'll get back to watching the others, but for the time beaing when I'm in the Superman mode.. it's just like a high.
There are some beautiful orchestral affinities between this and some of the tracks from C3EK but what I really hear happening is Williams exploring some of the orchestrations he will continue in "Empire Strikes Back." This score is the closest in tone to that of "Empire" - another incredible score in and of itself as a stand alone piece. Like the film itself, the score for "Empire" was no mere recap of its predecessor, but another experience entirely, musically darker, rich, deep and melancholy.
from 108st to the rockaways and from 34 st street to 98 street in the woodside woodhaven area will a persecution free zone death free zone the unified cups shall cover the land and skies outlined for 12 hours strong any threats on my freedom life the lives of my family and love ones the cups shall drag them in like a magnet. beloved presence will be the unified cups for 3 miles 360 wide for 48hrs any threats shall be drag into the cups long island shall also have a cup to keep out wanabees same time frame.
"Live as one of them Kal-El. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage."
The orchestration sounds like a contemporary concert piece of the highest grade. It's incredible in every way
"For this purpose, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you: MY ONLY SON."
That is so similar to god sending his only begotten son to earth.
God Bless John Williams
Very epic, and still holds it's worth today.
Me again, here to defend this particular creation as one of the greatest 'unknown' compositions Williams ever composed - for the reason that I can think of no other piece that so brilliantly uses a handful of pure 'Wagnerian' leitmotivs to effectively elucidate (the discovery of) the triple identity of Kal-El. I say 'Wagnerian' because two of the three motives used here never quite develop into full melodies with development, recap, etc. I call the three motives 'The Mystery (Clark)', 'Krypton' (Kal-El), and 'The Hero (Superman)'.
The last of the three is clearly heard, fully developed, in the final few moments of the composition, but it occurs earlier, in very rudimentary form, as a series of brass stabs as the Fortress is forming (at 2:05). But it is the interplay of 'The Mystery' and "Krypton' which makes the music so splendid. Note the statement of 'The Mystery' on the oboe at the beginning, almost as a plea ('Who am I?'), it then modulates, becomes more urgent as it were, then modulates again, echoed by bassoon - only to be followed by full strings playing out an interpolation of 'Krypton' - vague, unformed. The 'Mystery' is stated several more times. At 2:50, with the Fortress fully formed, the 'Krypton' motif (i.e.: 'This is who you really are.") is proclaimed (and crafty fox that he is, Williams, consciously uses French horn to give it full-on Wagnerian grandeur!), the motive then 'relaxes' and is restated on trumpet, with a counter 'argument' of the 'Mystery'.
Later note that as the Jor-El hologram explains everything, the 'Krypton' motif is heard on a synthesized glass harmonica - halting, fragmentary, as if Kal-El's knowledge is being slowly collected and assembled.
I am a music teacher, and so brilliantly conceived and executed is this piece that I use it to teach the concept of the leading motive and how it can be braided with narrative to elucidate the idea of identity. Thanks, John, your talent is much appreciated.
Your explanation makes me appreciate it even more. Thank you...
no other superman film can replace this one for me i loved it since i was a little kid and still loving it
I sometimes played this while looking at sunrise at the ocean.
Dan Clark *no disrespect whatsoever too you, but that sounds like something a white person would say.
"Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."
Starting at 5:48... It's like an invitation to a pure love.
That's my favourite part too!!!.
theefrankguy
As the Superman mythos contains a lot of great metaphor for Theology, I think this song is very appropriate to its lore.
Always been mine too!
I have to say, John Williams is an amazing composer. All of his work, is totally different and original. You Get Hans Zimmer. Yeah his work is great too, but you can recognize a lot of the same type of theme in all of the movies he does. Where as Williams it's so subtle if not even there, you hardly notice it. Every Zimmer movie I can tell the theme is from Dark Knight, or Pirates or something. Don't get me wrong I love his music, I just think Williams is a much better composer. A lot more emotion and story can be heard in these where as Zimmer sounds more mechanical . I guess it's like comparing apples to oranges lol
I don't think I'd quite go that far. Now, personally I do prefer a Williams score to a Zimmer score, but when you hear, for instance, the Indiana Jones theme and Superman themes, you can definitely tell it's from the same guy, and a lot of the same composition is there in both too.
If you listen to Williams theme music in 'Nixon' he reused a lot of that theme and style in 'Attack of the Clones'. So yeah, he has a style that can be recognized, but as you say, not as much as Zimmer.
La razón te asiste. Williams es un maestro de lo que es narrar una película musicalmente, y que otros como Zimmer harían bien en tomar nota. Con el respeto debido, el problema no es Zimmer. El es producto de la decadencia existente que presenta la abismal oferta actual, que no termina de satisfacer. Sus composiciones tienen acordes que se parecen. Hasta mi nieto de año y medio prefiere las películas de Reeve, debido a que no encuentra las notas que presente al héroe. Sin embargo, la composición que hizo Williams para "Superman The Movie", simplemente es un trabajo de lujo, que difícilmente pase por la puerta del tiempo.
Williams has his own style too that you can spot in films. I've found his later work to be rather dull, but of course he nailed it with most of the blockbusters like Superman, Indy films, etc.
Just to put things right again: "He's a Pirate" was not composed by Hans Zimmer, but by Klaus Badelt.
Best film score of all times
This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard.
The greatest movie of all time!!👍🏼👍🏼🍦🍦😃😃😃😀😀🎅🏼🎅🏼❤️❤️☕️☕️🍩🍩🍦🍦🍦👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love how the theme in this starts in a minor key then moves into major towards the middle
This is my favorite piece from the score. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
This theme is not only gorgeous it floods my eyes with tears
This piece of music alone shows more emotion and imagination in such a spectacular way that I honestly think DC and Marvel will never be able to capture the raw spirit that Superman had.
"As your life will be seen through mine. The Son becomes the Father and the Father... the Son."
Coming on the heels of two magnificent, unassailable, Oscar worthy scores ("Star Wars" and "CE3K"), this somehow always seems to get lost in the shuffle, and yet it is massive and magnificent - it actually elevates the subject, projecting Supe from a comic book hero to something more classical in his heroism. It is easy to dismiss this score as an extension of the two prior, but hearing this reminds me how incredible and "unto itself" it is.
Enchanting and Magical
"This is Kal EL of Krypton. Our infant son, our last hope. Please protect him and deliver him from evil."
It's 7:55 that always gets me, when he first busts out as Superman....
Lovely indeed. Thanks for pointing it out.
This music traveled across the Milky way Galaxy ! True .
The GREATEST theme from any superhero comic book movie ever to date. Williams is simply GOD.
7:38-7:56
"They can be a great people Kal-el,they wish to be. The only lack the light to show way. For this reason above all,their capacity for good. I have them you....... My Only Son."
This theme has a perfect sense of wonder just like the force theme, another one John Williams finest pieces
This just brings me back to 78, so many memories. Always listened to main title, krypton theme and of course love theme. This is an excellent score, its up there with the much underrated score for close encounters( caught the mood of the time). Thanks for posting.
Well I'm young so I remember this when superman returns came out, got the tickets buying 2 dvds
man this piece makes me feel so good
6:40 my lord. He has so much going on right there.
2:36 4:21 ..so amazing
A inesquecível fortaleza da solidão na beleza de sua perfeição em cristal!!
"This is Kal-El of Krypton, our infant son. Our last hope... Please protect and deliver him from evil."
Capolavoro Assoluto.. Tanta Emozione e Ricordi.. Ciao
Every note of music that John williams composed for this magical score is captivating and this cue is one of them. Perfectly captured the beauty and frigidness of the fortress! Amazing how John is able to narrate each scene of this movie by the power of his music, love how this theme was used also in Superman 4 as Superman went to the deceased Krypton council about the nuclear distructrion dilemma.
Hands down one of the best scores to ever set up a feeling and pivotal moment taking place in the history of cinema.
They can be a great people Kal El...they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way......
Gareth Glitter ✨ For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... MY ONLY SON.
Seriously, one of the greatest quotes ever.
This is one of the best themes John Williams composed and considering how many great scores he composed makes this theme absolutely brilliant.
8:10 to 8:18 has always been one of my favorite musical moments from the film.
4:42 "My son... You do not remember me... I am Jor-El... I'm your father..." Breathtaking entrance.
Mágico e eterno!!!
Sería "mágico y eterno"
I think this is the most beautiful thing I had ever heard
5:48 to the end is probably the most peaceful thing i have ever heard
Absolute masterpiece
The planet Krypton my son. Your home....as it was.....
00:00 09:00 smalville clarck planetary dr Swan! nostaugia.
I know the theme is so classic but this my favorite piece of music in the OST
It would've been super if Clark had seen the spirit of his Kryptonian mother,Lara,right beside the spirit of his Kryptonian father,Jor-El,as he was being told of where he comes from,how he got those powers and other things before he's returned to Earth and becomes Superman. Superman's foster mother,Martha Kent,designed his costume well.
Yet another musical score, movie, and story that today's modern I-phone toting social media using, devoid of history and heritage, shallow movie-makers will EVER replicate. They can reboot, refresh, refresh the remake, and reimagine it - and their versions will never ever have the richness and heart and charm of the original.
Hold my beer
Beautiful!
It's just me, and sorry to offedn, but after listening to this .. the rest of UA-cam seems like adolescent trashy bitter videos, beneath this classy soundtrack and character. That's a bit much I know, but I can't help it. Later on I'll get back to watching the others, but for the time beaing when I'm in the Superman mode.. it's just like a high.
Ha! Well said. How much time do we spend on mockery and pettiness? Music like this points us to higher glory. It is a whisper of another Kingdom.
How in the world do people dislike this. It's a master piece. Fcking brilliant.
1:51 This part was in The Lego Batman Movie.That’s cool.
I feel like this music was written with me in mind
Christopher Reeve... super man.
Williams at his best !
All of it is beautiful. My favourite bit is the 2:34 when the Fortress of Solitude explodes with light,
4:23 I miss my old self 😢 *snif*.
The can be only one.
There are some beautiful orchestral affinities between this and some of the tracks from C3EK but what I really hear happening is Williams exploring some of the orchestrations he will continue in "Empire Strikes Back." This score is the closest in tone to that of "Empire" - another incredible score in and of itself as a stand alone piece. Like the film itself, the score for "Empire" was no mere recap of its predecessor, but another experience entirely, musically darker, rich, deep and melancholy.
*misty eyed*
It's not the Fortress, it's the Soundtrack. Should say so.
No, it's the Fortress.
just fly ;))
es muy buen sonid de fondo para la construccion de la fortaleza de kal-el y la vd me encanta esta peli la puedo ver una y mil veces mas
5:50 sounds a bit like the Ghostbuster Love Theme (not accusing anyone of anything, just an observation)
Solem
Yes: why?
from 108st to the rockaways and from 34 st street to 98 street in the woodside woodhaven area will a persecution free zone death free zone the unified cups shall cover the land and skies outlined for 12 hours strong any threats on my freedom life the lives of my family and love ones the cups shall drag them in like a magnet. beloved presence will be the unified cups for 3 miles 360 wide for 48hrs any threats shall be drag into the cups long island shall also have a cup to keep out wanabees same time frame.
And I hate you, but you're name remind me of the guy of from The Mummy Trilogy, so, yeah.
This is one of the best jazz pieces of music ever