Search - John Williams :: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Imperial Soundtrack

Joseph Goodson | Ann Arbor, MI, USA | 12/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A recommendation: sit in a darkened room and play, at full sound, this soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back, from beginning to end. When divorced from the film, the score becomes near perfect absolute music. Let your mind wander away from the film, to hear the music itself. Allow the music to paint and splash its own colors in your mind. It has the rhythmic power of Stravinsky. The subtle orchestration of the winds is as fine as anything in a late Tchaikovsky symphony. And the aural colors are a veritable kaleidoscope, worthy of Messiaen! Compare the jagged ebony and gold of the "Imperial March" with the alternating blues, pinks and oranges of the "love theme." The music has the narrative coherence of a Wagner opera. Simply splendid.



Rating (aesthetic quality/sound quality): 10/10"

Improperly remixed during restoration

M. Gaudet | A Galaxy Far Far Away | 04/21/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is not the release you are looking for move along! Move Along!



Sound channels are reversed on some songs and on others the stereoization is almost completely gone. They also messed up the arista release as well with flipped sound channels. So unless Lucas ever caves to a re-release hold onto that double LP."