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As it turned out, both the movie and score were excellent. Episode V (as the movie is now part of a six-chapter series) is considered to be the best chapter in the Classic Trilogy...some fans even say it is the best of the series. And of course, the score introduced several major new themes, the most popular being The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme).

The 1997 Special Edition version of the musical score is the definitive soundtrack album. Like the other two 2-disc sets from the Classic Trilogy, RCA/Victor's The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack presents every musical "cue" (including Alfred Newman's 20th Century Fox fanfare and several tracks [Aboard Executor, plus the concert arrangements of Darth Vader's Theme and Yoda's Theme]not used in the film) in chronological order. The 1980 2-LP album (like its 1977 predecessor) spliced unrelated cues and did not attempt to present the music sequentially. Neither did Polydor's bargain priced CD re-release of the early 1990s; not only did that awful version contain less than half of the vinyl release, but it presented the tracks in such a way that the Star Wars (Main Title) theme was LAST! The Star Wars Trilogy Soundtrack Anthology, a 4-disc boxed set, did much to remedy the quality of this score's CD version, restoring the entire 2-LP album's content and adding unreleased material. But for purists and film score fans, this version is unrivaled for completeness and presentation.

This 2-CD set is expensive, but it comes with a nice slipcover type CD case and a booklet of track-by-track liner notes, illustrated with stills from the film. The CDs themselves are silver with lasered art (the Empire's seal is embossed on the top). If price is a concern, there is a less expensive edition available.

10 of 12 found the following review helpful:

The Empire Strikes Back...A true masterpiece.Oct 04, 2000
By Joseph Payne
The Empire Strikes Back. As many people know, Star Wars has been known as one of the most successful soundtracks ever made. The Star Wars trilogy would not be the same if it weren't for the incredible efforts John Williams put into writing music that would bring out the movie so well. Of all the Star Wars movies made, the Empire Strikes Back probably has the best soundtrack of them all. John Williams shows his genius in writing complex music in tracks such as the well-known "Asteroid field" and the "ImperialMarch." The music from this soundtrack will often have you listening in awe, wondering how composers can write such awesomeand inspiring music. Every Star Wars soundtrack that has been made starts with the main theme, which is accurate to the opening of the movies. The first real exciting track, "the Battle of Hoth" has you standing on your toes, never ceasing to bring a suprise around the corner. Although the music starts quietly, it is quickly interrupted by the Imperial theme. At this point, it is easy to picture yourself looking through a pair of binoculars, straight into the face of an AT-AT walker. This music is constantly tense, and many parts are similar to fragments of the soundtrack, "Medal of Honor." John Williams even uses low piano chords in some parts during the Battle of Hoth, and shrilling high strings that clearly depict the mighty strength of the Imperial walkers. The music continues much the same for 14 exciting minutes, never ceasing to give you a chill down the spine every now and then. The next track, popular and sometimes tense, the "Asteroid field" starts with the Imperial March, giving you memories of the Rebellion's defeat on the planet Hoth. Strings continue to play up and down the scales, (WAY up the scales at one point or another) till the actual theme from the asteroid field begins, using a terribly complex mix of strings and brass. Eventually, when the music reaches it's high point, is breaks into a glorious sounding theme, which has me dumb-founded every time I hear it. (I think the asteroid field is the best music from any of the Star Wars videos yet made) It ends with the "love theme" after the music finally quiets down. Disc 2 has a fascinating introduction,where Darth Vador's theme is played. (better known as the Imperial March) Even if the music is intended to depict the dark side, its brassy theme will never cease to amaze you. (How come the bad guys always have the good music!?) It begins with strings and drums in the background, giving you the march beat. Brass then join in as the lead instruments, going up and down the scales constantly, bringing back memories of the asteroid field. In the middle of the music, it quiets down, then the Imperial theme is echoed while strings play in the background, giving the music that space-sounding style. The music then leads back to the loud and brassy Imperial March, which sounds much the same as the track began. It ends with a superb grand finally, making you think of the massive power of the evil Empire. Yoda's theme is much like Leia's theme, quiet and slow. (which is not often heard on this soundtrack. This point in the CD is really just a break to the more tense-sounding music to come) Track 3, "Attacking a Star Destroyer" is much the same as the Battle of Hoth, which always contains that fierce and tense battle sound. This track and track 5 are very similar in style, only track 5 has the Imperial March played often in the music. The last track on disc 2 is a peaceful track that is accompanied by Obi Wan's theme and a harp in the background, where it continues to play 'til it blends into the end titles, which contains fragments of much of the music previously heard throughout the soundtrack. This track provides a great ending to the exciting music of the Empire Striles Back. Definitely being in John William's top five best compositions, I highly recommend getting this soundtrack. Perfect for whatever mood you're in. After getting this soundtrack, you'll agree on the five star rating.

6 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Reminicent of past epic scores. sets tone for a great film.Feb 02, 1999
By BRIANB@NETWORKACI.NET
John Williams is a one of a kind genius. His "Star Wars" music is as good as film scoring gets, and "The Empire Strikes Back" score is the most memorable in the trilogy. Like the film itself it takes the audience all over the galaxy. Yoda's theme is a piece that pesonifided the charater. It starts off slowly with a mystical quality, which reflects Yoda's appearence, then it erupts into a large, full orchestra piece that reflects Yoda's beliefs and abilities. The theme that is immediately recognizable is the "Imperial march". With the exception of the main "Star Wars" theme it is the most memorable in the trilogy, mainly because it symbolized the dark mood of the film. That film wasn't too easy on the good guys, and that music did a great job of expressing the insurmountable evil that they were up against. The music of John Williams gives a contemporary film a nostalgic feel. Not only are his scores unforgettable, but in many cases they are the anchor of the film, the most important element. This,I feel,is true of his "Empire" score to say the very least.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

The Space Opera Continues...Jul 29, 1998
By Dilbert81@msn.com
John Williams, never ceasing to amaze, has completely outdone himself with his score to The Empire Strikes Back. Darth Vader's theme, quoted as being "a malevolent Hail to the Chief" has been an audience favourite for almost twenty years. It's antithesis, Yoda's theme, is a quirky, quiet piece that reflects the age and wisdom of the Jedi Master. All in all, the soundtrack has to be some of the best music ever written, ranging from fast paced battle music to the mournful closing titles, the listener is guaranteed to be impressed. Like Star Wars, The Empire Strikes back is a one of a kind score, not to be missed in this lifetime!

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

BrilliantMar 20, 2003

The Empire Strikes Back is by far the absolute best of John Williams' scores for the Star Wars trilogy. It completely surpasses the loud fanfares of the first in orchestral mastery, epic scope, and entertainment.

There are two kinds of songs throughout the trilogy, those of which Williams is having fun with, and those where he takes his scoring seriously and effectively creates the drama needed in the according scene. The second half of Empire is where his dramatic music really kicks in, unlike the score for the original movie in which, with the exception of a few tracks such as Burning Homestead and Ben's Death, I feel Williams was simply creating fun, lively music for a fun, lively movie. The fun technique is very effective, but when Williams creates his dramatic music, it completely blows all of the fun music out of the water.

Like all of the Star Wars scores, it begins with Luke's theme and descends into ominous and mysterious filler music until it picks up with the Battle of Hoth in track 6, which features piano strikes and horn blasts to represent the impending threat of the Imperial Walkers, and is very effective. Williams is having fun here, with the exception of the last third of the track.

He also has fun in the Asteroid Field in track 6, which I feel is the "Tie Fighter Attack" of The Empire Strikes Back. He actually creates a great theme just for the asteroid field itself, and while never using it again, it is great on both CD and in the movie.

CD 2 starts out with the Imperial March which is simply a masterpiece of film scoring. Track 3, Attacking a Star Destroyer, features no themes of any kind, but is, in my opinion, the best action music of all the Star Wars movies. It is much better than the themeless action music of episodes 1 and 2, and perfectly aids the intensity of the scene in the film.

The next great track is Carbon Freeze, which not only features powerful blasts of the Han and Leia love theme but also, during the freezing itself, has some great percussion that work perfectly in the film, and climaxes with a grand blare of the Imperial March. The rest of the track is average filler music, with some action music towards the end, but nothing worth mentioning.

The Clash of Lightsabers is my favorite track of all the Star Wars scores, and is the heart and soul of this CD. A great rendition of the Imperial March starts it off, and then the rest of the track is mainly based around the love theme. This track really moves, and has a great fanfare towards the middle that is Williams brass at its best.

Rescue from Cloud City/Hyperspace features one of my favorite renditions of the Force theme, some intense music while rescuing Luke, and then a great 4 note motif, played very quickly by strings throughout their escape. It is some of the best action music of the whole trilogy.

Finally, the Rebel Fleet centers around some great performances of the love theme, and End Titles of course sums up all the themes in the movie. It also has possibly the best bombastic finale of all of the Star Wars films, which is used in the climax of the Phantom Menace trailer and perfectly sums up the adventurous nature of the film itself. A great score and classic one at that. 5 out of 5.

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