The Imperial March

"The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" is a musical theme recurring in the Star Wars movies. It was composed by John Williams, and first appeared in the film The Empire Strikes Back. The theme is based off the well known funeral march from Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor.

One of the best known symphonic movie themes, it is a classic example of a leitmotif, a recurrent theme associated with characters or events in a drama. "The Imperial March" is the theme music that represents the totalitarian Galactic Empire. As Anakin Skywalker is stripped of all individuality, he, in essence, becomes one with the Empire as Darth Vader; hence the reason the march is many times associated with him as well. "The Imperial March" represents all that is the Empire; therefore, it is nearly equivalent to a galactic anthem.

Although played by an orchestra on the movie soundtrack, it is often played by brass bands; military bands are particularly effective in delivering the theme's martial stance. "The Imperial March" was also played by No Doubt at some of their live concerts.

In the movies (except for A New Hope), the march is played when Darth Vader appears, or when he is mentioned.

On a few occasions, "The Imperial March" has been used to introduce Mr. Burns on the television series The Simpsons. Additionally, it has been used as a background musical piece by radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh when discussing subjects relating to foreign Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Original Trilogy
"The Imperial March" is first heard in The Empire Strikes Back when Darth Vader is re-introduced as the Imperial Fleet assembles. It is used throughout Empire and its sequel, Return of the Jedi. When Anakin Skywalker dies at the end of Jedi, the motif is heard one last time as a distant, melancholy tune on a harp.

Prequel Trilogy
The "Imperial March" theme appears scarcely in the prequel trilogy, but is often used to hint at Anakin Skywalker's future as Darth Vader. Its usage increases through the trilogy.

A few notes of "The Imperial March" were played in The Phantom Menace in a scene between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda when they discussed the future of Anakin Skywalker.

In the next film, Attack of the Clones, "The Imperial March" is played subtly sometimes when Anakin's dark future is hinted at, and then it is played full-blown during the final sequence when the clones assemble and depart Coruscant. This is probably done to hint at the stormtroopers seen assembling in a similar pattern in the Original Trilogy.

In Revenge of the Sith, it is played right after the beginning music, as Anakin and Obi-Wan approach the enemy ships around Coruscant. It is also played during the final duel scene between Obi-Wan and Anakin at the movie's climax, in the simultaneous battle between Yoda and Palpatine, and is played subtly throughout the rest of the movie.