Writing Music: Duel of the Fates

With the new Star Wars film The Force Awakens being released this week, it seems only fitting that this week’s Writing Music come from the series soundtrack. Which means that the piece is iconic, dramatic, and well-loved. This piece being, of course, Duel of the Fates. While there are many amazing pieces from all the Star Wars soundtracks, this one in particular is an all-time favourite of mine.

Duel of the Fates is an epic action piece, full of tension, drama, and a feeling of a desperate and final battle. It evokes images of a showdown between hero and villain where you know someone will die. The choral adds a sense of gravity and finality, while the violins up the tension, turning this into a perfect piece to play while writing your final battle. In my opinion, this piece would suit a fight between a couple of characters, rather than a larger battle with armies. It would suit many genres, not just sci-fi.

What is your favourite piece from the Star Wars series? What music do you listen to while writing climaxes? And what are you listening to at the moment? Are you still writing over the Christmas season, or are you taking a break until the New Year?