Principal leitmotifs Superman music

1 principal leitmotifs

1.1 leitmotifs introduced in superman
1.2 leitmotifs introduced in superman ii
1.3 leitmotifs introduced in superman iii
1.4 leitmotifs introduced in superman iv: quest peace
1.5 leitmotifs introduced in superman returns

principal leitmotifs

a leitmotif melody associated particular character or story element in mode of drama in music employed, such musical play, opera, ballet, or film.

leitmotifs introduced in superman

superman fanfare . short triad-based motif, played before main theme , or standalone when superman appears in quick-cut on-screen. restated many times in superman march .
superman march or superman main theme . used on opening , closing credits. consists of 2 sections, theme main part of melody , b theme bit lighter in mood , connects march fanfare.
can read mind or soaring love theme . typically used when lois , superman (or clark) find alone together. portion of introduced interlude in midst of superman march . lyrics melody written longtime john williams collaborator leslie bricusse, purpose of having song during film s extended flying sequence. margot kidder, plays lois lane, speaks lyrics in film, cover versions of song have been recorded maureen mcgovern, shirley bassey , others.
krypton fanfare . used viewer zooms in on krypton, , again self-construction of fortress of solitude.
krypton crystal motif or secondary krypton motif. mysterious-sounding theme associated physicality of planet krypton, both crystals sent jor-el earth son , radioactive kryptonite deadly superman.
personal motif. melody related duality of superman , clark kent musically connects fanfare love theme .
smallville or growing theme . coplandesque, americana melody used during smallville sequences in ways simpler or undeveloped version of march s theme. bears similarity theme written john williams 1972 john wayne western film cowboys.
march of villains or lex luthor theme . comedic prokofiev-inspired march associated villain lex luthor , henchman otis.

leitmotifs introduced in superman ii

composer/arranger ken thorne mandated reuse first film s themes superman ii. based music kryptonian villains on williams material associated krypton , fortress of solitude. added descending three-note motif villains , briefly heard ominous melody associated general zod.

leitmotifs introduced in superman iii

ken thorne given freer hand in scoring of superman iii in accordance series change in direction , more comedic tone. new thematic material consisted of related themes gus gorman , general theme computers, plus ominous supercomputer theme heard in latter part of score. thorne supplied love theme lana lang , clark kent, based on melody written film giorgio moroder. lois lane s theme not present in score because appears in film briefly.

leitmotifs introduced in superman iv: quest peace

john williams composed 3 new themes superman iv: quest peace, attaching 3 new characters.

lacy s theme, known you, sultry, sexy melody daughter of new owner of daily planet, has eyes clark kent.
jeremy s theme light, lyrical melody young boy appeals superman rid world of nuclear weapons.
nuclear man theme driving action theme used superman s battle villain created when lex luthor places superman s genetic material on nuclear warhead detonated sun.

alexander courage adapted williams themes film, integrating 3 new ones of existing themes superman. supplied 2 new themes of own: missile motif when nuclear arms shown or discussed, , russian motif, minor mode march used when soviets , weapons appear. courage completed 100-minute score version of superman iv: quest peace ran on 2 hours. had been long rumored version of film previewed in orange county, california, in late june 1987 ran 134 minutes. screenwriter mark rosenthal recalls version of length on dvd commentary film, existing documentation suggests film 10 minutes shorter when previewed. in event, result of negative audience response preview, picture cut down length of 89 minutes u.s. release. @ urging of visual effects supervisor harrison ellenshaw, 2 action scenes reinstated international version, ran 92 minutes , later shown on u.s. television. result of cutting of running time, of music not heard , jeremy s theme in particular virtually undetectable in final version. no music film released on twenty years until film score monthly issued 8-cd box set called superman: music (1978-1988) presents complete score superman iv: quest peace.

leitmotifs introduced in superman returns

three new themes composed bryan singer s 2006 film, bad hat harry production, loosely followed continuity of first 2 reeve films: personal theme superman, motif lois , son, , darker theme lex luthor. singer s favorite composer, john ottman, incorporated several themes first film, such williams s superman march, lois lane s love theme ( can read mind ), smallville theme, , krypton theme. reprise of fortress of solitude original 1978 soundtrack heard @ end of airplane rescue sequence superman re-introduced public after lois lane sees him first time.