Star Wars (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 1977 film Star Wars, composed and conducted by John Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Williams' score for Star Wars was recorded over eight sessions at Anvil Studios in Denham, England on March 5, 8–12, 15 and 16, 1977. The score was orchestrated by Williams's frequent associate Herbert W. Spencer, who also later orchestrated the scores for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The score was recorded by engineer Eric Tomlinson and edited by Kenneth Wannberg, and the scoring sessions were produced by Star Wars director George Lucas and supervised by Lionel Newman, head of 20th Century Fox's music department.

The soundtrack album was released by 20th Century Records as a double-LP record in the United States in June 1977. The album's main title peaked at No. 10 on the BillboardHot 100, with a disco version of the film's theme by Meco becoming a number one single hit in the United States in October 1977. The soundtrack album itself went on to become certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and won numerous accolades including Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and Grammy Awards in the categories of best film score and soundtrack album. In 2004, it was preserved by the Library of Congress into the National Recording Registry, calling it 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. In 2005, the American Film Institute named the original Star Wars soundtrack as the most memorable score of all time for an American film.^[1]

In 2016, the album was re-released by Sony Classical Records on vinyl, CD, and digital formats alongside Williams' other Star Wars soundtracks. The vinyl release is pressed on 180g vinyl, and features the original 20th Century Records logo. Unlike all of Sony Classical's previous releases, however, the vinyl version is a remastered version of the original 1977 release, not the Special Edition. Walt Disney Records remastered and reissued the soundtrack on vinyl LP on December 1, 2017, and on CD and digital formats on May 4, 2018.^[2][3]

• 1Original 1977 release
• 2Subsequent releases
• 3Accolades

Original 1977 release[edit]

The original 1977 release of the soundtrack, entitled Star Wars - Original Soundtrack, included a poster of a painting by science fiction artist John Berkey, depicting the final battle over the Death Star from the film's end.^[4] The album was released as a double LP which was formatted for an autochanger record player; one disc had sides one and four with the other having sides two and three. This allowed a person to stack sides one and two on the player, then flip the stack over for sides three and four, allowing the listener to have over half an hour of uninterrupted music before they needed to flip the discs over.^[5]

Track listing[edit]

First release on LP by 20th Century Records. For the original soundtrack, Williams selected 75 minutes of music out of the 88 minute score. To provide musical variety, it did not follow the film's chronological order.

This track listing is also shared by Sony Classical's LP release in 2016, and Walt Disney Records' LP and CD releases in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Total Time: 74:58

Personnel[edit]

1st Violins

Neville Taweel (Leader), Robin Studt (Principal), Irvine Arditti (Principal), B. Thomas (Sub-Principal), Stanley Castle, Sydney Colter, Dennis Gaines, Robert Retallick, C. Reuben, Norman Freeman, Max Weber, Robin Brightman, Brian Gaulton

2nd Violins

Warwick Hill (Principal), Neil Watson (Co-Principal), Samuel Artis, William Brown, Thomas Cook, Terry Morton, Jack Steadman, Donald Stewart, Thomas Swift, David Williams, R. Clark, G. Creese, D. Llewellyn

Violas

Alexander Taylor (Principal), Brian Clarke (Co-Principal), Peter Norriss (Sub-Principal), Patrick Hooley, Michael Mitchell, David Hume,William Sumpton, Patrick Vermont, William Krasnik, Eric Cuthbertson

Cellos

Douglas Cummings (Principal), Maurice Meulien (Co-Principal), Ray Adams (Sub-Principal), Jack Long, Ken Law, Douglas Powrie, Francis Saunders, Clive Gillinson, Tom Storer, K. Glossop

Double Basses

Bruce Mollinson (Principal), Arthur Griffiths (Sub-Principal), John Cooper, Gerald Newson, Pashanko Dimitroff, Goelson Neal

Flutes

Richard Taylor (Principal), Lowry Sanders, Francis Nolan

Oboes

Roger Lord (Principal), Anthony Camden (Principal)

Clarinets

J. Brymer (Principal), Ronald Moore, R. Jowitt

Bassoons

Robert Bourton (Principal), Peter Francis

Horns

David Cripps (Principal), John Rooke (Asst. Principal), Anthony Chidell, Graham Warren, James Quaife, James Brown, S. Reading, J. Butterworth

Trumpets

Maurice Murphy (Principal), William Lang, Norman Archibald, R. Izen

Trombones

D. Wick (Principal), Eric Crees (Principal), Frank Mathison

Tuba

J. Fletcher (Principal), Steven Wick

Timpani

Kurt-Hans Goedicke (Principal)

Percussion

Michael Frye (Principal), Ray Northcott

Harp

Renata Sheffel-Stein (Principal), J. Marson

Piano/Celeste

Robert Noble (Principal), M. Round

Subsequent releases[edit]

Release history[edit]

1986 release[edit]

First release on CD by Polydor Records in 1986. It is identical in content and packaging to the LP release.

Disc one

1. 'Main Title' – 5:21
2. 'Imperial Attack' – 6:16
3. 'Princess Leia's Theme' – 4:22
4. 'The Desert and the Robot Auction' – 2:52
5. 'Ben's Death and TIE Fighter Attack' – 3:46
6. 'The Little People Work' – 4:01
7. 'Rescue of the Princess' – 4:46
8. 'Inner City' – 4:13
9. 'Cantina Band' – 2:45

Disc two

1. 'The Land of the Sandpeople' – 2:49
2. 'Mouse Robot and Blasting Off' – 4:01
3. 'The Return Home' – 2:45
4. 'The Walls Converge' – 4:32
5. 'The Princess Appears' – 4:03
6. 'The Last Battle' – 12:06
7. 'The Throne Room and End Title' – 5:27

Star Wars Trilogy: The Original Soundtrack Anthology[edit]

In 1993, 20th Century Fox Film Scores released a four-CD box set containing music from the original Star Wars trilogy. This release marked the first time that the complete contents of the original double-LP releases of the scores from the first two films became available on CD. Disc one in the set was devoted to Star Wars, with further tracks on disc four.

Since every cue is recorded several times, usually with varying orchestral differences, the final decisions on what takes of cues are used and/or how they are edited to create the tracks was decided by the music editor Kenneth Wannberg. In the time between the original LP release and the Anthology's release, this breakdown was lost. Because of this, many takes of cues used on the Anthology are not the same. This is most obvious on the cue 'The Throne Room'.^{[citation needed]} Also, the tracks were re-arranged to better follow their chronological order in the film.

1997 and 2004 Special Edition reissues[edit]

The 1997 release includes the complete film score, including expanded and unreleased tracks.

2017 and 2018 Disney reissues[edit]

Walt Disney Records reissued the original 1977 soundtrack album in digital formats and streaming services on January 1, 2017, and on LP record on December 1, 2017, to coincide with the film's fortieth anniversary that same year. The LP reissue featured a remastered soundtrack, hand-etched hologram art, and a 48-page book containing production photographs, liner notes, and essays on John Williams and the music of Star Wars.^[2]

Disney released a newly-remastered edition of the original 1977 album program on CD, digital download, and streaming services on May 4, 2018. This remaster was newly assembled by Shawn Murphy and Skywalker Sound from the highest-quality master tapes available, rather than sourced from the existing 1977 album masters.^[3] On these reissues, the final track ('The Throne Room and End Title') is presented at the correct speed and pitch, having been sped up slightly on the original LP, CD, and 2016 Sony releases.

Accolades[edit]

• Academy Award for Best Original Score (1977)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score (1977)
• BAFTA Award for Best Film Music (1978)
• Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (1978)
• Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition (1978) – for Main Title
• Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (1978)
• Saturn Award for Best Music (1977) – tied with Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• AFI's Greatest American movie score of all time (2005)

Certifications[edit]

Original recording log[edit]

The score for Star Wars was recorded over the span of eight days in the month of March 1977. The 1997 Special Edition soundtrack release by RCA Victor included a detailed look at the recording log for all the cues in the film.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^'AFI's 100 years of film scores'.
2. ^ ^abc'Star Wars: A New Hope (original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 3-LP Vinyl Album Boxed Set Of Composer John Williams' Oscar®-Winning Score To Be Released On December 1'. Burbank, California: Walt Disney Records. PR Newswire. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
3. ^ ^abc'Disney Music Group Set To Release First 6 Remastered Star Wars Original Motion Picture Soundtracks On May 4'. Burbank, California: Walt Disney Records. PR Newswire. March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
4. ^'John Berkey Remembered'. StarWars.com. Lucasfilm Ltd. 2008-05-13. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
5. ^'John Williams (4), London Symphony Orchestra, The – Star Wars original soundtrack release'. Discogs. discogs. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
6. ^'Sony Classical Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars with an 8-CD Collectors Edition Featuring Three of Composer/Conductor John Williams' Original Soundtrack Recordings'. Sony Music Masterworks. PR Newswire. November 7, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
7. ^'Sony Classical Reissues Star Wars Episodes I-VI In Newly Restored Audio Collections'. Sony Classical. PR Newswire. January 8, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
8. ^'American certifications – John Williams – Star Wars (soundtrack)'. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
9. ^'British certifications – John Williams – Star Wars (soundtrack)'. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 November 2014.Select Gold in the Certification field.Type Star Wars (soundtrack) in the 'Search BPI Awards' field and then press Enter.

External links[edit]

Genre: Score
Date: 2016
Country: USA
Audio codec: MP3
Quality: 320 kbs
Playtime: 10:45:41

Disc 1 – Episode I; The Phantom Menace
1. Star Wars Main Title And The Arrival At Naboo (02:56)
2. Duel Of The Fates (04:15)
3. Anakin’’s Theme (03:09)
4. Jar Jar’’s Introduction And The Swim To Otoh Gunga (05:08)
5. The Sith Spacecraft And The Droid Battle (02:38)
6. The Trip To The Naboo Temple And The Audience With Boss Nass (04:08)
7. The Arrival At Tatooine And The Flag Parade (04:05)
8. He Is The Chosen One (03:54)
9. Anakin Defeats Sebulba (04:24)
10. Passage Through The Planet Core (04:40)
11. Watto’’s Deal And Kids At Play (04:58)
12. Panaka And The Queen’s Protectors (03:25)
13. Queen Amidala And The Naboo Palace (04:52)
14. The Droid Invasion And The Appearance Of Darth Maul (05:15)
15. Qui-Gon’’s Noble End (03:48)
16. The High Council Meeting And Qui-Gon’’s Funeral (03:09)
17. Augie’’s Great Municipal Band And End Credits (09:40)

Disc 2 – Episode II; Attack Of The Clones
1. Star Wars Main Title And Ambush On Coruscant (03:48)
2. Across The Stars (Love Theme From Star Wars Episode II) (05:33)
3. Zam The Assassin And The Chase Through Coruscant (11:08)
4. Yoda And The Younglings (03:56)
5. Departing Coruscant (01:46)
6. Anakin And Padme (03:57)
7. Jango’’s Escape (03:49)
8. The Meadow Picnic (04:15)
9. Bounty Hunter’’s Pursuit (03:24)
10. Return To Tatooine (06:57)
11. The Tusken Camp And The Homestead (05:55)
12. Love Pledge And The Arena (08:30)
13. Confrontation With Count Dooku And Finale (10:45)

Disc 3 – Episode III; Revenge Of The Sith
1. Star Wars And The Revenge Of The Sith (07:33)
2. Anakin’’s Dream (04:46)
3. Battle Of The Heroes (03:43)
4. Anakin’’s Betrayal (04:04)
5. General Grievous (04:08)
6. Palpatine’’s Teachings (05:26)
7. Grievous And The Droids (03:28)
8. Padme’’s Ruminations (03:17)
9. Anakin Vs. Obi-Wan (03:58)
10. Anakin’s Dark Deeds (04:06)
11. Enter Lord Vader (04:15)
12. The Immolation Scene (02:43)
13. Grievous Speaks To Lord Sidious (02:50)
14. The Birth Of The Twins And Padme’’s Destiny (03:38)
15. A New Hope And End Credits (13:08)

Disc 4 – Episode IV; A New Hope
1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare (00:23)
2. Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner (02:15)
3. Imperial Attack (06:43)
4. The Dune Sea Of Tatooine/Jawa Sandcrawler (05:02)
5. The Moisture Farm (02:26)
6. The Hologram/Binary Sunset (04:09)
7. Landspeeder Search/Attack Of The Sand People (03:21)
8. Tales Of A Jedi Knight/Learn About The Force (04:29)
9. Burning Homestead (02:51)
10. Mos Eisley Spaceport (02:17)
11. Cantina Band (02:48)
12. Cantina Band #2 (03:55)
13. Binary Sunset (Alternate) (17:00)

Disc 5 – Episode IV; A New Hope
1. Princess Leia’’s Theme (04:28)
2. The Millennium Falcon/Imperial Cruiser Pursuit (03:52)
3. Destruction Of Alderaan (01:33)
4. The Death Star/The Stormtroopers (03:35)
5. Wookie Prisoner/Detention Block Ambush (04:02)
6. Shootout In The Cell Bay/Dianoga (03:48)
7. The Trash Compactor (03:07)
8. The Tractor Beam/Chasm Crossfire (05:19)
9. Ben Kenobi’’s Death / Tie Fighter Attack (03:52)
10. The Battle Of Yavin (09:08)
11. The Throne Room/End Title (05:38)

Disc 6 – Episode V; The Empire Strikes Back
1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare (00:23)
2. Main Title/The Ice Planet Hoth (08:09)
3. The Wampa’’s Lair/Vision Of Obi-Wan/Snowspeeders Take Flight (08:49)
4. The Imperial Probe/Aboard The Executor (04:25)
5. The Battle Of Hoth (14:49)
6. The Asteroid Field (04:16)
7. Arrival On Dagobah (04:53)
8. Luke’’s Nocturnal Visitor (02:36)
9. Han Solo And The Princess (03:27)
10. Jedi Master Revealed/Mynock Cave (05:44)
11. The Training Of A Jedi Knight/The Magic Tree (05:17)

Disc 7 – Episode V; The Empire Strikes Back
1. The Imperial March (Darth Vader’’s Theme) (03:04)
2. Yoda’’s Theme (03:31)
3. Attacking A Star Destroyer (03:05)
4. Yoda And The Force (04:03)
5. Imperial Starfleet Deployed/City In The Clouds (06:04)
6. Lando’’s Palace (03:54)
7. Betrayal At Bespin (03:47)
8. Deal With Dark Lord (02:37)
9. Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader’’s Trap /Departure Of Boba Fett (11:51)
10. The Clash Of Lightsabers (04:18)
11. Rescue From Cloud City/Hyperspace (09:09)
12. The Rebel Fleet/End Title (06:28)

Disc 8 – Episode VI; Return Of The Jedi
1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare (00:23)
2. Main Title/Approaching The Death Star/Tatooine Rendezvous (09:18)
3. The Droids Are Captured (01:18)
4. Bounty For A Wookiee (02:51)
5. Han Solo Returns (04:02)
6. Luke Confronts Jabba/Den Of The Rancor/Sarlacc Sentence (08:49)
7. The Pit Of Carkoon/Sail Barge Assault (06:03)
8. The Emperor Arrives/The Death Of Yoda/Obi-Wan’’s Revelation (10:58)
9. Alliance Assembly (02:11)
10. Shuttle Tydirium Approaches Endor (04:07)
11. Speeder Bike Chase/Land Of The Ewoks (09:39)
12. The Levitation/Threepio’’s Bedtime Story (02:45)
13. Jabba’’s Baroque Recital (03:04)
14. Jedi Rocks (02:51)
15. Sail Barge Assault (Alternate) (05:07)

Disc 9 – Episode VI; Return Of The Jedi
1. Parade Of The Ewoks (03:28)
2. Luke And Leia (04:46)
3. Brother And Sister/Father And Son/The Fleet Enters Hyperspace/Heroic Ewok (10:40)
4. Emperor’’s Throne Room (03:26)
5. The Battle Of Endor I (11:51)
6. The Lightsaber/The Ewok Battle (04:32)
7. The Battle Of Endor II (10:03)
8. The Battle Of Endor III (06:04)
9. Leia’’s News/Light Of The Force (03:22)
10. Victory Celebration/End Title (08:34)
11. Ewok Feast/Part Of The Tribe (04:01)
12. The Forest Battle (Concert Suite) (04:07)

Disc 10 – Interviews
1. An Interview With John Williams: His Life As A Composer Part I (09:19)
2. An Interview With John Williams: His Life As A Composer Part II (08:08)
3. An Interview With John Williams: His Life As A Composer Part III (11:22)
4. An Interview With Harrison Ford: The Music Of Star Wars Part I (10:28)
5. An Interview With Harrison Ford: The Music Of Star Wars Part II (09:22)