Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Collector's Edition, Soundtrack]

John Williams (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: John Williams
• Audio CD (September 21, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Collector's Edition, Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0002YCVJC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,273 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Twentieth Century-Fox Fanfare - John Williams, Williams, John [Fil

2. Main Title / - John Williams, Williams, John [Fil

3. The Wampa's Lair/Vision Of Obi-Wan/Snowspeeder

4. The Imperial Probe/Aboard The Executor

5. The Battle of Hoth

6. The Asteroid Field

7. Arrival on Dagobah

8. Luke's Nocturnal Visitor

9. Han Solo and The Princess

10. Jedi Master Revealed/Mynock Cave

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)

2. Yoda's Theme

3. Attacking a Star Destroyer

4. Yoda and The Force

5. Imperial Starfleet Deployed/City In The Clouds

6. Lando's Palace

7. Betrayal at Bespin

8. Deal With the Dark Lord

9. Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap/Departure

10. The Clash of Lightsabers

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Soundtrack

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tremendously better sequel and equally great soundtrack!, July 13, 2005

By 

P. Smith (anonymous) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Audio CD)

Empire is my favorite Star Wars film, I'll say that now. I think the deeply emotional stories behind each character are gripping and beautifully shown. The soundtrack meets every expectation and blows you away. Each track holds unique and beautiful themes. The love story is brought into music without a flaw, the romance spread clearly through the music.

Along with the original theme for the empire (which is on disc 2 as (#1) The Imperial March and in many other tracks) and the theme generally associated with Luke (which also accompanies Obi Wan in many tracks), we see the introduction of new characters and new themes.

Track 2 on Disc 2 is Yoda's theme, a sweeping and graceful piece which acurately portrays the aging and brilliant Jedi Master through John Williams's genius. In many instances, we also see Luke's theme underwritten into this music as he learns new skills.

My favorite by far is the addition of the love theme for Han and Leia, which is written in various forms into most of the tracks (Premiring fully in Track 9 Han Solo and the Princess onm disc 1). It is a sweeping, emotional theme that touches anyone very deeply. On disc 1, track 5 The Battle of Hoth shows this them clearly near the end, as well as most of the scenes on Bespin on disc one.

We also see a collection of most of the old themes and most new ones when the characters reach Bespin, the love theme, Luke's theme, and one to fit the city itself.

The culmination of these make for a sweeping, enchanting finale where Lando and Chewie leave Luke and Leia behind.

Some of the best tracks include:
Disc 1 - Track 5 - The Battle of Hoth
Disc 1 - Track 6 - The Asteroid Field
Disc 1 - Track 9 - Han Solo and the Princess
Essentially all of Disc 2

Any fan of John Williams or Star Wars should absolutely love this soundtrack!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally the full soundtrack!, October 23, 2004

By 

DarkHawke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Audio CD)

I purchased the previous edition of this item, so I don't have the swingin' new artwork, but the proof of this pudding is in the listening (?) and this is what every Star Wars fan worth his/her lightsabre should have in their collection. I have the original LP release, so listening to this version is still odd, since it's EXACTLY what was in the movie, and in the correct order. It does retain the original LP's suite pieces, The Imperial March [Darth Vader's Theme] and Yoda's Theme, without which this otherwise great collection would be incomplete. If you've never heard the full soundtrack (shame on you!) or you're a new fan or introducing someone too young to have ever heard the soundtrack before, you owe it to yourself (and others) to pick this up TODAY.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself hunting down all of the other John Williams soundtracks! I grew up listening to this, the original Star Wars soundtrack, Jaws, Raiders, Close Encounters, et al. And since nearly all of them are now available in expanded editions on CD, even old-timers like me have good reasons to get 'em all!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best film in the Star Wars trilogy is also the best soundtrack in the trilogy, September 10, 2005

By 

Joseph Tidline (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Audio CD)

I have been a Star Wars fan since the original Star Wars was released back in 1977 and was still called Star Wars and not Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. But I became a dedicated fan in 1980 when The Empire Strikes Back was released. Not only is it the best film of all six Star Wars films, but it also the best soundtrack in, dare I say it, film history. John Williams is a musical genius who can produce so many emotions with his music. And with The Empire Strikes Back he is able to express sadness, anger, loss, love, fear and tragedy with some great pieces of music. My favorite piece on this soundtrack is The Imperial March. The moment I heard that piece of music chills went down my spine. Every time I hear that piece of music I expect to see Darth Vader march down the hall. It is a strong piece of music along with the other tracks on this two CD set. This is a great addition to a CD collection along with the other Star Wars soundtracks. But if you had to buy only one, then The Empire Strikes Back is the Star Wars soundtrack to own.