NO ‘BEST LIGHTSABER Fights’ list is complete without Darth Maul versus Qui- Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and John Williams’ ‘Duel Of The Fates’ score takes it to hyperspace. The anthemic earworm begins with an attention-commanding brass fanfare that heralds Maul’s arrival, and only gets more thrilling from there. The 88-piece choir and the orchestra span the full spectrum from hushed to thunderous, with Williams’ repeated, ferocious melody bringing ominous atmosphere, and a propulsion that builds in intensity as the fight continues. Meanwhile, Sanskrit chants add to the sense of pagan religiosity that gives the track its mysterious vibe and a sense of inevitability. It’s rare for a piece of score to transcend its origins, but ‘Duel Of The Fates’ earned that distinction. And then some.
AMON WARMANN