Collectors of modern orchestral soundtracks owe their thanks to John Williams, who, with the scoring of Star Wars in 1977, sparked a new generation of interest in film music. Twenty years later, his force is still with us, and soundtracks represent a powerful portion of the record industry. The Star Wars Trilogy has been recorded many times on the road to CD perfection. Replacing the original albums was a remarkable 4-CD anthology that was greeted with much praise and anticipation in the win ter of 1993. Now, coinciding with George Lucas' Special Edition releases of the Star Wars Trilogy, comprehensive and orderly 2-CD sets complete that road to perfection. In this tribute, we'll stop along the Star Wars journey and recap the hi story of the Trilogy on CD.

Title pages for the Special Edition Releases:

A New Hope: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2)
The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2)
Return of the Jedi: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2)

History of the Star Wars Trilogy on CD: (titles listed are contained on the page linked above them)

Star Wars (A New Hope)

• Star Wars: The Original Soundtrack Release (Polydor 800 096-2), 1986
• Star Wars (selections): "Cinema Gala" Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (London 417 846-2), 1988
• Star Wars: Charles Gerhardt Conducting (RCA 2698-2-RG), 1989
• Star Wars: The Anthology Release (Fox 11012-2), late 1993
• A New Hope: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2), early 1997

• The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Soundtrack Release (Polydor 825298), 1985
• The Empire Strikes Back: Charles Gerhardt Conducting (Varese Sarabande VSD-5353), early 1993
• The Empire Strikes Back: The Anthology Release (Fox 11012-2), late 1993
• The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2), early 1997

• Return of the Jedi: The Original Soundtrack Release (Polydor 811 767-2), 1986
• Return of the Jedi (selections): "Out of this World" The Boston Pops, Williams Conducting (Philips 411 185-2), 1986
• Return of the Jedi: Charles Gerhardt Conducting (RCA 60767-2), 1991
• Return of the Jedi: The Anthology Release (Fox 11012-2), late 1993
• Return of the Jedi: Special Edition (RCA 09026-68746-2), early 1997

Selections from the Entire Trilogy


• All Three: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel (Telarc CD-80094), 1984
• All Three: The Utah Symphony Orchestra (Varese Sarabande VCD 47201), 1985
• All Three: "By Request..." The Boston Pops, Williams Conducting (Philips 420 178-2), 1987
• All Three: The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra, Williams Conducting (Sony SK 45947), 1990
• All Three: "Kid Stuff" The Boston Pops, Williams Conducting (Philips 438 068-2), 1992
• All Three: "Music from the Films of Harrison Ford" City of Prague Philharmonic (Silva SSD 1040), 1994

Also see:

Shadows of the Empire by Joel McNeely, 1996.
Filmtracks' John Williams Tribute for more on other Williams scores.
The Official Star Wars Site, keep in mind that is currently an extremely busy site.

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