Track Listing

1. Observing Life Through Rose Coloured Glass
2. Something Here Went Wrong
3. Don Quixote
4. Seasonticket
5. Right Out Of Time
6. Please Excuse
7. Two As Thick As Thieves

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45309 in Music
• Released on: 1997-03-10
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
John Williams's music for Star Wars looks back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, particularly to the sweeping grandeur of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's The Sea Hawk and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Korngold, himself an opera composer, drew upon the Wagnerian leitmotif technique of assigning a melody to each important character, and Williams followed this approach, creating a series of memorable themes developed throughout all the Star Wars movies, including The Phantom Menace. The result is a vast, surprisingly unified tapestry of music, a veritable space-operatic Ring cycle for our times. This rich, glittering, boldly orchestrated music is filled with rousing action, wistful reflective passages and moments of playful humour (including some witty retro-alien jazz for the Mos Eisley cantina band). Epic in scope and wearing it's romantic heart on its sleeve, Williams's music is a galaxy far, far away from the ecstatic, modernistic score he produced the same year for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Although various Star Wars albums have long been available, this double-disc Special Edition at last presents the entire score in original running order. The performance of the London Symphony Orchestra is superb, and the remastered sound a significant improvement on previous issues. In 1977 Star Wars heralded a revival of traditional orchestral scoring which continues today, paving the way for such composers as David Arnold, Bruce Broughton, Patrick Doyle, James Horner and many more. This is the definitive presentation of perhaps the pivotal score in all film history, and an essential part of any collection. --Gary S. Dalkin

CD Description
One of the greatest aspects of the original STAR WARS trilogy is John Williams's score. "Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner" is the opening theme to A NEW HOPE, and it begins with an unmistakable powerful brass fanfare. As the piece develops, Williams introduces many of the leitmotifs that he will use later in the picture. This exciting overture foreshadows the galactic struggle that will take place and anticipates the triumph of the tale's heroes (Luke, Han, and their comrades).
"The Imperial Attack" focuses on the power of the "Dark Side". Wagnerian brass figures bring both fervour and weight to this track. This music is truly menacing, and it effectively portends the wrath of Darth Vader. As the piece intensifies, the timpanist plays a steady series of blows, suggesting the Imperial pounding of rebel forces. "Cantina Band" is a much lighter track, and this jovial Dixieland-in-space tune adds comic relief to the otherwise dense score. "Tales of a Jedi Knight/Learn About the Force" is a mysterious workthat features Ravel-like swirling violins, distant harp glissandos, and the delicate wash of a celesta. The London Symphony Orchestra performs all of this music exquisitely, and, led by composer and conductor Williams, they give this cinematic classic a resoundingly memorable musical personality.

Customer Reviews

A galaxy of feelings light years ahead of it's time
Well, what can I say except 'WOW'? We all know how great the intro is to Star Wars but when you listen to this CD you can feel the whole emotion of the film...the anticipation as Luke races to see Uncle Owen, the impending doom as Vader appears, and the sad loss of Alderaan. However, once you get to the latter half of CD 2 then you get to the real crux of the film. John Williams just keeps on lashing out great tunes with great drums, giving the amazing sense of excitement. The final moments before the Death Star's destruction are great as John Williams gets the drums pounding as well as your heart. All in all, I recommend this to any lover of classical music, any Star Wars fan and anyone with an open mind for music.

A great film needs great music
One of the best things about listening to a great movie soundtrack like this is that it reminds you what an important part music can play in the success of a movie. Can you imagine Star Wars without John Williams' stirring themes? The reverse also applies, as it is impossible to listen to this CD without reliving the excitement of the movie itself.

I have also found that this CD has helped me to understand how movie music is put together. It becomes clear that Williams has created a number of 'themes' (such as Luke's Theme and Leia's Theme) which he then revisits in various forms throughout the film helping to invoke the appropriate emotions from us. It's all really quite clever.

Overall, this CD makes for excellent listening for anybody when you feel like some stirring classical style music. Of course, it goes without saying that for Star Wars fans, in particular, this CD is essential.

A chance to hear the Mos Eisley Cantina Band!
I have been a Star Wars fan since I was a kid.I am 13 now but I still continue to buy & collect books,toys,video games,and of course;audio CD sountrack's.A few months ago I was watching "Star Wars:A New Hope" and I thought to myself,"Why don't I buy the the soundtrack?!".I knew it would be difficult to find,since it is very old.Then I thought amazon could help me out.I found the all 3 films CD's on the UK website,and ordered the first film's soundtrack from the original trilogy.The music is so nice and perfect,you could listen to both of the CD's without stopping.And when I listen to it,the first 2 songs I listen to are the Mos Eisley Cantina Band's songs.They are so nice,so perfect you can almost imagine sitting in the Mos Eisley Cantine having a drink or two,hearing Star Wars creatures talking to each other.If you're not a fan of Star Wars,it's your choice.But if you are fan or a geek of Star Wars,GET THIS CD NOW!!!!!!!!!