"The Meadow Picnic" is a theatrical motif composed by John Williams specifically for the musical score of the 2002 film called Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. This composition is also present on the movie's soundtrack. This particular theme serves to musically characterize the picnic scene between Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padmé Amidala which takes place on the planet Naboo. The London Symphony Orchestra was responsible for the performance of this motif. Musically, the piece is written in the key of C major, is performed at a tempo of 50 beats per minute (bpm), and uses a time signature of 6/8. The total duration of the composition is four minutes and fourteen seconds.
As with the previous four Star Wars films, John Williams was the composer responsible for creating the musical score for the 2002 film, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. The performances were done by the London Symphony Orchestra along with the London Voices. However, for "The Meadow Picnic," which represents the romantic picnic shared by Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala on Naboo, only the orchestra was utilized. The Attack of the Clones soundtrack became available on CD on April 23, 2002 and as an MP3 digital download on May 16, 2002.
The motif commences with a gradual, legato phrase played by the violins, harp, together with wind chimes. This is then followed by a similar musical phrase that is played by the oboe. Subsequently, the flute introduces the melody most associated with the theme. This melody is highlighted by brief notes from the harp and chordal notes from the low strings. The oboe then repeats the melody.
This motif is present twice on the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack. Its initial appearance is at the beginning of the sixth track, "Anakin and Padmé." The theme's primary and most prominent feature is as the number eight track, which carries the same name as the motif.
The composition is featured exclusively in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. It appears in the film on two separate occasions, with one instance occurring during the picnic scene on Naboo.
The sheet music for this theme is included in the Attack of the Clones music book which was released by Bantha Music. The book was made available for the following instruments and editions: trumpet, piano, easy piano, clarinet, tenor sax, and alto sax. It was also featured in the Star Wars Episodes I, II & III Instrumental Solos music book, which was released for piano and easy piano, along with other instruments and ensembles.
- Star Wars music on Wikipedia
- Official Star Wars music site