Although Star Wars is either atop or close to top of polls regarding the greatest scores of all time, the fan favourite is almost certainly The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars re-energised the orchestral film score, but The Empire Strikes Back picked up the baton and ran with it to create a darker, richer soundscape, brimming with some of the most memorable tunes in the history of cinema. Charles Gerhardt almost always picked the best film music for his compilations and this is no different. Even the greatest ballets are sometimes best enjoyed in suites and in this case, the two hour score is distilled into three quarters of an hour of highlights (although there are, of course, highlights to spare - it's not one of the greatest scores of all time for nothing).

Of course, as this is more of a long concert suite than a representation of the original score, Gerhardt includes all of Williams' marvellous concert arrangements, notably the little recorded Han and Leia's theme. It begins as per the score cue where Han and Leia are getting up close and personal in the Falcon, while in the asteroid field, but instead of being interrupted (by 3PO in the film), it continues, is expanded upon and is joined by Leia's Theme in counterpoint. It's a wonderful arrangement and its absence from so many Star Wars collections is unfathomable. The concert arrangement of the Asteroid Field is performed breathlessly, although I've always preferred the cue's original film ending. A brief glimpse of the Carbon Freeze music preludes the Imperial March, which here is taken at quite a clip, perhaps just a touch too fast as it loses some of its menace at such a speed. On the other hand, Gerhardt introduces a lovely lilt to Yoda's Theme, something that's rather lacking on the more efficient original soundtrack rendition. His handling of the more unusual Magic Tree material is solid, even if the synth effect sounds a little strange, it could really have been omitted.

Several segments of the Battle of Hoth are included and expertly reproduced by the musicians of the National Philharmonic. There are a few amendments to the arrangements here and there (notably in Luke's First Crash), but they just tighten the structure and highlight the best parts that bit more. Any fan of the original score will find much to enjoy here. Great though it is, two hours is a long time to take out for the entire Special Edition and Gerhardt has provided us with some superb performances of the most memorable sequences. I suspect that had the selection been made more recently, over an hour might have been included - more of the Carbon Freeze music, Hyperspace, Attacking a Star Destroyer and Mynock Cave amongst others - but this was arranged for the days of LP and so rather more restricted. However, Gerhardt dips into most elements of the score and there are no crucial ideas that aren't included. The playing and recording are first rate. Recommended.

Rating ~

1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare (Alfred Newman) - Main Title & Imperial Probe (5:25)
2. Luke's First Crash (2:29)
3. Han Solo and the Princess (4:24)
4. The Asteroid Field (4:12)
5. The Training of a Jedi Knight and "May the Force Be With You" (1:55)
6. The Battle in the Snow (3:02)
7. The Imperial March (3:20)
8. The Magic Tree (3:37)
9. Yoda's Theme (3:33)
10. The Rebels Escape Again (3:01)
11. Lando's Palace - The Duel (5:02)
12. Finale (4:35)

Total Time ~ 45:13