Soundtrack Review: John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy (1991)

Posted by William Bard

December 12, 2008

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johnwilliams Soundtrack Review: John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy (1991) This is a review of John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy by John Williams.

“for those seeking a fresh sound, this album is for you”

Released in 1991, John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy contains thirteen selections from the scores of the original Star Wars trilogy, all performed by the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the maestro himself. Track listing is as follows:

1. Main Theme (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]
2. Princess Leia (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]
3. The Little People (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]
4. The Imperial March (From “Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”) [Instrumental]
5. Yoda’s Theme (From “Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”) [Instrumental]
6. Parade of the Ewoks (From “Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”) [Instrumental]
7. The Asteroid Field (From “Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”) [Instrumental]
8. Luke and Leia (From “Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”) [Instrumental]
9. The Cantina Band (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]
10. Here They Come! (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]
11. Jabba the Hutt (From “Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”) [Instrumental]
12. The Forest Battle (From “Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”) [Instrumental]
13. Throne Room and Finale (From “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope”) [Instrumental]

Excellent Recording

The first thing I’d like to point out about this compilation is that the quality of performance and recording is excellent. These are some of the best recordings I’ve heard of these pieces, and they all sound crystal clear, as if they were recorded yesterday. While the original recordings of the London Symphony Orchestra will forever hold a special place in the annals of Star Wars music for their being just that – the original recordings, this recording and many others are returning to this music that fresh sound and clarity that make you feel as if you were hearing it all for the first time, and as if these were modern, recent recordings.

Conclusion

Overall, I have no real complaints about this album. Of course, though the recording and performance in this is practically flawless, I still somewhat prefer the original recordings with the LSO, merely as personal preference. I’m a bit of a stickler for original recordings, you see.

But for those seeking a fresh sound, this album is for you. And as it is all under the direction of Mr. Williams, the man who made it all happen to begin with, you have nothing – nothing at all – to worry about.