Star Wars: Episode V - Empire Strikes Back / Ost

This soundtrack score is the best in the series just like the movies. I owned the original 1997 RCA Victor Anniversary discs but was disappointed that the discs slide out of a small book out of the top causing scratches to the disc. I was interested in getting the Ultimate Soundtrack set but saw by the pictures those discs also slide out from the side. I decided to buy these older Sony Star Wars soundtracks to get the traditional plastic over and under disc cases. I figured I better buy these now since Sony is making the new box set I would imagine they will be discontinuing this set soon. Sound is amazing, everyone says these sound exactly like the 1997 RCA disc but the new CD's are slightly louder on my Sony Stereo at the same volume level, I played the new disc and then the old 1997 disc just to compare. I heard a flaw in the recording so I wanted to make sure it wasn't the disc and the same defect was heard on the 1997 disc at the same time stamp so they definitely used the original 1997 masters.

This is my favorite soundtrack, and I'll tell you why. First of all, it is difficult to find a soundtrack that, besides being beautifully composed, conveys the wide range of emotions that a human being can feel and express.A soundtrack normally has a tone (dark, romantic, exciting, cheerful, nostalgic) but there are marvellous exceptions. In this soundtrack you find excitement (The Battle of Hoth, The Asteroid Field, Attacking a Star Destroyer, The Clash of Lightsabers, Rescue from Cloud City), Romance (Han Solo and the Princess and variations on this theme throughout the album), Nostalgia (Yoda's Theme, Yoda and the Force), Imposing chills (Main Titles/The Ice Planet Hoth, The Imperial March) and hope (The Rebel Fleet/End Title). Every one of these emotions is portrayed with beautiful melodies and arrangements that do not resemble each other.To this, sum up the fact that you are taking more than two hours of excellent music in one album; in what other soundtrack can you find this?And, finally, the most inspiring musical masterpiece I've heard until date is Rebel Fleet/End Titles. This song alone, with almost seven minutes in length, is perfect from beginning to end.Besides all this objective points I also must say that this music is part of my favorite trilogy, which I grew up with.Thank you John Williams.

Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back(1980) is not only a good Star Wars movie, but a good movie. Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan and director Irvin Kershner took Star Wars in a darker direction. The film has an atmosphere of hopelessness. Darth Vader is no longer under Moff Tarkin's leash and he's killing people left and right! Luke Skywalker meets Yoda for the first time. Some people like Admiral Piett even though he's a "bad guy". Darth Vader doesn't want any sissies; he's gonna read something from "Ulysses"! The Empire Strikes Back was the first big budget movie that Irvin Kershner was put in charge of. His earlier films were stuff such as S*P*Y*S(1974) and The Eyes of Laura Mars(1978).John Williams composed some new themes and motifs for Episode V. With the Walt Disney Company promising more Star Wars films in the future, this "glossary/corpus of music" is growing. John Williams claims "he's done" after Episode IX. This is great music from a classic Star Wars movie.

Few people would disagree that "The Empire Strikes Back" is the best film in the Star Wars saga. It has everything going for it, from the "bad guys" winning at the end to the introduction of Yoda to Boba Fett and the battle on Hoth. The greatest of secrets is revealed in this episode as well.What fuels all of this wonder is the same thing that has fueled all of the Star Wars films: The music of John Williams.This album contains all of the music from the film, including "Yoda's Theme" and the massive "Imperial March." I find myself humming most of these songs throughout the week simply for the fact that I love them all. Each one triggers an emotion within that only a true Star Wars fan would understand.If you love the music of the Star Wars films (and who doesn't?), I highly recommend picking up this disc. It's epic music about an epic tale that will continue to please listeners long after we are gone.

I know I had this album when it was originally released and I could have sworn the music playing when the snow speeders were out looking for Han and Luke was on there. That music is not in this release. Has the album been changed from the original to it's current version? John Williams is great and this album is great but I wish that snow speeder music was on here.

My son has loved the Star Wars trilogies, and he has a great love for movie music, especially the work of John Williams, his favorite. He has such a memory for what songs appear where in the films, and he was delighted to receive this for Christmas to complete his collection. He had requested Episodes 3, 5, and 6 to have the rest of the Star Wars music.I have regularly heard it coming from his room as he plays while he does homework. (How he can do this I don't understand.) He would recommend this recording without hesitation, and he anticipates hours of enjoyment from listening to them.

Nearly everyone knows the movie, the quotes, the characters and the tune of Darth Vader's signature track, the Imperial March. And this is the album where it best belongs. Each track here has its own feel and identity. not only does the album listen well without the film, each track can stand alone as fine pieces of music. Possibly John Williams at his best.

I would give this five stars just for The Imperial March. But John Williams provided a wonderful score for this movie. The chase through the asteroid field is one of my favorites, and the battle of Hoth. Excellent work, Mr. Williams - I am glad to have this back.