How 'The Mandalorian' Score Found The New 'Star Wars' Sound

How did the new 'Star Wars' spinoff series 'The Mandalorian' find it's eerie opening tune?

Ludwig Göransson, Academy Award-winning composer, walks viewers through his creative process for Variety Artisans presented by HBO. Göransson says when he first used the set of recorders, he thought the children's instrument's sound was too simple for the "Star Wars" franchise.

[doommain]

This man is responsible for making me sit through the credits after every single episode

[joederp]

This guy produced redbone by Childish Gambino, wrote the Black Panther score, and got recommended by Zimmer for TENET.
A new legend is being born in front of our eyes.

[AdamHaycee]

Disney: You have one month to write the score...by yourself

Ludwig: This is the way

[HUsnagzHU]

This man single handedly made Mandalorian special in a way most don't even realize.

[GlennHtx]

"That's what I was trying to achieve when I locked myself into the studio for a month to be guided by the instruments..." Bruh. You were guided by The Force.

[authorrayrogers]

This theme is both completely different and yet perfectly Star Wars. He found just the right balance. It's amazing.

[bashergamer_]

This guy made me and probably everyone else, watch the entirety of an intro and outro of a series without skipping it.

[GarrettWatts]

This guy is so awesome. I met him once and he was so kind and humble.

[-The-Golden-God-]

He absolutely nailed it. It's instantly iconic.

[GingyTries]

The mandalorian theme sounds like s futuristic cowboy movie and i love it.

[dnellbuck]

This music gives it a western movie feel. It's gritty, kinda dirty, and a little shady. And it still has an otherworldly sound.

[paulyguitary]

It really is a perfect song for the outer rim. John Williams is fitting for the inner planets, but Ludwig captured the Wild West/Kurosawa vibe of the Outer Rim.

[shashay]

This isn’t your typical Star Wars sound . . . Which is what makes it so good. He didn’t just copy Williams, he came up with his own sound that FITS the theme of the show. Excellent work.

[Erikzone]

John williams : Soon i will have a new apprentice one far younger and more powerful

[alexsmith]

When you first hear the Mandalorian theme, it’s almost jarring and gritty. It’s also so alien. The dissonance is so unique, yet masterfully harnessed. I honestly hated it after the first 1 and a half episodes until I started immersing myself in the series and character. He captures the wilderness of the outer rim and the western sci-fi vibe so well. Now I can’t imagine not having this piece of art in Star Wars forever. It is a piece worthy of sitting next to John Williams scores for sure.

[misterquantum]

The Mandalorian has an actual score, an actual theme you can hum. I miss that sort of thing.

[tGugreal]

This man has no idea what he's done while simultaneously knowing exactly what he's done. if you know what i mean

[hanifj]

Ludwig is literally the younger version of Hans Zimmer. I'm so obsessed with his talent

[fafafagat]

I remember Favreau saying in an interview that instead of taking inspiration directly from star wars to create the mandalorian he took inspiration from the inspirations that created star wars to create the mandalorian.
I think that's a pretty genius way of going about that.

[parmesean]

I love that one of the best Star wars score was made by a single dude in his space, alone, and totally duding out, I love it.