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{{About|the musical piece|the unproduced film script|Star Wars: Duel of the Fates}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Duel of the Fates
| cover      = John Williams – Duel Of The Fates (Promotional Single Artwork).jpg
| alt        = The cover of the one-track promotional release of Duel of the Fates
| border     = yes
| caption    = The cover of the one-track promotional release of "Duel of the Fates"
| type       = single
| artist     = [[John Williams]]
| album      = [[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (soundtrack)]]
| released   = 1999
| recorded   = February 1999 [[Abbey Road Studio]] 1, London
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Soundtrack|Film soundtrack]]
| length     = 4:14
| label      = [[Sony Classical]]
| writer     = [[John Williams]]
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  = 
}}

"'''Duel of the Fates'''" is a [[Motif (music)|musical theme]] recurring in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' [[Prequel trilogy (Star Wars)|prequel trilogy]] and the [[Star Wars Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]]. It was composed by [[John Williams]] and recorded for the [[film soundtrack]] of ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]'' by the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (LSO) and the [[London Voices]]. This [[symphonic]] piece is played with both a full [[orchestra]] and a [[choir]]. The lyrics are based on a fragment of an archaic [[Welsh language|Welsh]] poem, ''[[Cad Goddeu]]'' (''Battle of the Trees''), and are sung in [[Sanskrit]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Dyer|url=http://www.askmar.com/Film/Movie%20Music.pdf|title=Making 'Star Wars' sing again|date=March 28, 1999|work=[[Boston Globe]]|publisher=Boston Globe, L.P.|location=Boston, Massachusetts|access-date=December 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105220659/http://www.askmar.com/Film/Movie%20Music.pdf|archive-date=January 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The piece debuts during the final [[lightsaber]] duel in ''The Phantom Menace''. With the music video for this theme, the LSO became the only classical group ever to have a video debut on [[MTV]]’s ''[[Total Request Live]]''. "Duel of the Fates" lasted 11 days on the countdown.<ref name=":1">{{cite web
 |title        = The TRL Archive - Debuts
 |publisher    = ATRL
 |url          = http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts
 |access-date   = October 30, 2008
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011304/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts
 |archive-date = September 28, 2007
|url-status     = dead
}}</ref>

== Composition ==
"Duel of the Fates" was composed by [[John Williams]] and recorded by the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (LSO) and the [[London Voices]] for the [[film soundtrack]] of ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''. The [[symphonic]] piece is played with both a full [[orchestra]] and a [[choir]]. The lyrics are based on a fragment of an archaic [[Welsh language|Welsh]] poem, ''[[Cad Goddeu]]'' (''Battle of the Trees''), and sung in [[Sanskrit]].<ref name=":0" /> The translation was loose and Williams arranged it by ear, while rearranging the syllables, so the pronunciation of the Sanskrit is not accurate and the meaning of the stanza is lost in the actual singing. "Duel of the Fates" begins with a chorus constructed by John Williams, which Williams believes adds a religious and temple-like feel to the epic lightsaber duel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Alex |date=2022-02-06 |title=John Williams 'Duel of the Fates': An Epic Battle |url=https://classicalexburns.com/2022/02/06/john-williams-duel-of-the-fates-an-epic-battle/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Classicalexburns |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The piece is mainly polyphonic and is in the keys of E and G minor. It has a tempo of roughly 152 bpm, and a duple meter with a time signature of 4/4. The composition is four minutes and fourteen seconds long.

Although Williams conducted "Duel of the Fates" to appear as a concert suite in the [[closing credits]] (rather than during the film proper), Williams did record similar cues using the [[ostinato]] motif, and in one instance, a 'cut down' version, labelled the "Great Duel". Williams stated the chorus was introduced to give a religious, temple-like feel to the epic lightsaber duel.<ref name="Music">''Movie Music'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> He compared the setting of the battle to a pagan altar, and that the duel itself "seems like a dance or a ballet, a religious ceremony of some kind, probably ending in the death of one of the combatants".<ref>Karlin, F. & Wright, R. (2004). ''On the Track: A Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring'' (2nd. ed.). [[New York City|New York]]: [[Routledge]]. 165-168.</ref>

== Appearances in ''Star Wars'' ==

The music had its debut during the final [[lightsaber]] duel between [[Qui-Gon Jinn]], [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], and [[Darth Maul]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''. The beginning portion used on the soundtrack is replaced with the beginning of a separate track titled ''Qui-Gon's Noble End'';<ref>{{YouTube|id=f0W8GbrpyGM|title=Star Wars Episode 1 Soundtrack- Qui Gon's Noble End"}}</ref> however, the full version of the original recording is used during the film's end credits.<ref>{{YouTube|id=3fX9_qgEe1o|title="Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace End Credits"}}</ref>

An abridged version is played in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' when [[Darth Vader|Anakin Skywalker]] used a swoop bike to search for his mother.

The piece "[[Battle of the Heroes]]", which was played in ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'', during the battle sequence between [[Yoda]] and [[Emperor Palpatine|Darth Sidious]] in the senate chamber on [[Coruscant]], and the simultaneous battle between [[Darth Vader]] and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] on [[Mustafar]], had a piece of "Duel of the Fates", but rewritten in a [[Musical mode|tragic mode]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Lucas had expressed in a documentary of ''The Phantom Menace'' that he wanted to use “Duel of the Fates” in ''Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith'' as he liked the feeling of the work. However, he decided not to use it mainly because it did not match the tragic mood of the duel between Obi-Wan and Vader. {{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} “Duel of the Fates” makes an appearance during the Yoda/Sidious fight scene. For this instance, John Williams re-recorded the choir and layered it over the vocal-less recording from ''Episode I''.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}

"Duel of the Fates" can be heard in a number of ''Star Wars'' video games, including ''[[Star Wars Episode I: Racer]]'', [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002 video game)|''The Clone Wars'']], ''[[Lego Star Wars: The Video Game|Lego Star Wars]]'', [[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (video game)|''Revenge of the Sith'' video game]], ''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005 video game)|Star Wars Battlefront II]]'', ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed]]'', ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'', and ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars II]]''. {{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The theme also plays during ''[[Soulcalibur IV]]'', whenever The Apprentice fights within either of the game's three Star Wars-themed stages, as well as during his extended ending. "Duel of the Fates" also plays when Darth Maul appears during the Jedi Training Academy show featured at [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] and [[Disneyland]].

A special of ''Lego Star Wars'' called "The Empire Strikes Out" features a short section of "Duel of the Fates", in which Darth Maul hums along with the music while declaring how "awesome" he is.

Another ''Lego Star Wars'' special, entitled ''The Yoda Chronicles: Menace of the Sith'', also featured "Duel of the Fates". [[Count Dooku]] plays the music on a radio during a demonstration of the [[Sith]] clone Jek-14's power. Darth Maul complains that "Duel of the Fates" is his theme song, to which [[Asajj Ventress]] replies "Can somebody say diva?".

"Duel of the Fates" can also be heard softly in the background when Maul appears in ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]''.

"Duel of the Fates" is heard in a TV spot for ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' titled "Duel", in which it is mixed with "[[The Imperial March]]".<ref>{{cite AV media| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrEgEA36hk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/pdrEgEA36hk |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title="Duel TV Spot"|date=November 29, 2019|publisher=ign}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Additionally, ''[[Star Wars: Duel of the Fates|Duel of the Fates]]'' was the title of a working script by [[Colin Trevorrow]] and [[Derek Connolly]] for ''Episode IX'' before the film was re-envisioned as ''The Rise of Skywalker''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Rodrigo |title=Colin Trevorrow's 'Star Wars' Episode IX' Was Called 'Duel Of The Fates' & It's True, All Of It |url=https://theplaylist.net/duel-of-the-fates-leak-colin-trevorrow-star-wars-20200114/ |website=The Playlist |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730165416/https://theplaylist.net/duel-of-the-fates-leak-colin-trevorrow-star-wars-20200114/ |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |date=January 14, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

A reorchestrated version of the song can be heard in ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]]'' episode "[[The Phantom Apprentice]]" while the characters [[Ahsoka Tano]] and [[Darth Maul|Maul]] duel.

Elements of the song were used in the teaser trailer for ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]''.

== Reception ==
Despite only being slightly used in the film ''The Phantom Menace'', the theme "Duel of the Fates" has gone on to define the music of the prequel trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Southall |first1=James |title=Star Wars: The Phantom Menace |url=http://www.movie-wave.net/star-wars-the-phantom-menace/ |website=Movie Wave |date=February 25, 2012 |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715085421/http://www.movie-wave.net/star-wars-the-phantom-menace/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was so loved by fans that it went on to be blended into the theme "Battle of the Heroes" in ''Revenge of the Sith''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Southall |first1=James |title=Williams: Revenge of the Sith |url=http://www.movie-wave.net/titles/revenge_sith.html |website=Movie Wave |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518095809/http://www.movie-wave.net/titles/revenge_sith.html |archive-date=May 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Use outside of ''Star Wars'' ===
"Duel of the Fates" has also been used to reference and satirize ''Star Wars''. For instance, in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em]]", the song plays in a sequence parodying ''Star Wars'', during an [[allergen]]-stick (of shrimp and peanut) battle between [[Bart Simpson]] and [[Seymour Skinner]].<ref>{{cite episode | title = Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em | episode-link = Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em | series = The Simpsons
 | series-link = The Simpsons | network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]  | airdate = September 24, 2006 | season = 18 | number = 1803 F80147 SI-1720}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = The Simpsons: - TV.com | publisher = TV.com | url = http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/please-homer-dont-hammer-em/episode/759606/summary.html | access-date = October 30, 2008 | archive-date = October 19, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081019212724/http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/please-homer-dont-hammer-em/episode/759606/summary.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The song was also used as the theme for the 2003 Broadcast of the [[Drum Corps International]] World Championships on [[PBS]].{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}

"Duel of the Fates" was used in the original [[BBC]] broadcast of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' Series 9 Episode 2 in 2007, during the segment in which host [[James May]] drives a [[Bugatti Veyron]] to its top speed at the [[Volkswagen]] test track at [[Ehra-Lessien]]. {{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]] uses "Duel of the Fates" to announce the appearance of the players from the tunnel.

J.P. Anderson's band [[Rabbit Junk]] used a sample of "Duel of the Fates" in the song "Demons", which appears on the album ''Reframe''.

The [[Boston Pops]] performed the piece as the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and [[Boston Bruins]] entered [[Gillette Stadium]] for the [[2016 NHL Winter Classic]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Habs, Bruins enter Gillette Stadium in style | publisher = Sportsnet.ca | url = http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/gotta-see-it-habs-bruins-enter-gillette-stadium-in-style/ | access-date = January 1, 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Music of Star Wars|Music of ''Star Wars'']]
*"[[Battle of the Heroes]]"
*"[[O Fortuna]]" the inspirational [[ostinato]] [[Motif (music)|motif]] by [[Carl Orff]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wookieepedia|Duel of the Fates|''Duel of the Fates''}}

{{John Williams}}
{{Star Wars prequel trilogy}}
{{Star Wars|state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Film music compositions by John Williams]]
[[Category:Star Wars film music]]
[[Category:Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]
[[Category:1999 compositions]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:1999 songs]]
[[Category:Songs based on poems]]
[[Category:Compositions in E minor]]
[[Category:Compositions in G minor]]
[[Category:Orchestral compositions with chorus]]
[[Category:Music commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra]]