{"id":22901,"date":"2022-12-16T12:12:36","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T11:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=7573"},"modified":"2022-12-16T13:10:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-16T12:10:19","slug":"best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Star Wars music: all nine Star Wars music scores ranked worst to best"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Michael Beek\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Friday, 16 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body> <p><strong>\u00a0<em>Star Wars \u2013 Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker<\/em> is the final part of an incredible body of work by a single composer, John Williams.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/williams-john\/&quot;\">John Williams, <\/a><\/strong>one of the <strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/top-film-composers-ever\/&quot;\">best film composers in the world<\/a><\/strong>, has written each of the nine original scores for the generation-spanning film saga over a period of some 43 years, beginning in 1977.<\/p>\n<p>While each individual entry was written as such, for a single film, Williams continually looked to what came before and built on the soundworld and growing library of thematic threads he had created each time. As such, themes and motifs composed for that first 1977 film crop up again, and again.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/six-best-sci-fi-movie-soundtracks\/&quot;\">\u00a0Six of the best sci-fi movie soundtracks<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/news\/john-williams%E2%80%99s-star-wars-theme-named-nation%E2%80%99s-favourite-film-score&quot;\"><strong>John Williams\u2019s \u2018Star Wars\u2019 theme named nation\u2019s favourite\u2026<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, the composer sees this set of scores as one body of work and Williams\u2019s\u00a0<em>Ninth<\/em> doesn\u2019t disappoint.\u00a0<em>The Rise of Skywalker<\/em> adds many new items to the canon while reflecting viscerally, and emotionally, on all that has come before. But where does this new, and final, score sit compared to the other eight?<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s our ranking of all of John Williams\u2019s\u00a0<em>Star Wars<\/em> music scores\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>Best Star Wars music<\/h2>\n<h3>#9 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode II: Attack of the Clones\u00a0(2002)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Episode-Attack-Clones\/dp\/B000065840\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra; London Voices\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Even in last place, this score delivers thrills, spills and romance. Williams\u2019s score suffered from heavy editing \u2013 particularly in the third act, but there are standout moments.<\/p>\n<p>Top of the list is a tragic love theme, \u2018Across the Stars\u2019, for the forbidden romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padme (future parents of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia).<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a chase in the skies above the city-planet Coruscant that will leave you breathless, but beyond that it\u2019s a lot of action-heavy music designed to tie up disparate locations and story threads.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Episode-Attack-Clones\/dp\/B000065840\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones\/0050087364236.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;Across\" the=\"\" stars=\"\" theme=\"\" from=\"\" wars:=\"\" attack=\"\" of=\"\" clones=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7wMiMDBHnJ0?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#8 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode III: Revenge of the Sith\u00a0(2005)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/gp\/product\/B07CMNH41N\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra; London Voices\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This third act of George Lucas\u2019s \u2018Prequel Trilogy\u2019 (ie. films set\u00a0<em>before<\/em>\u00a0the original 1977-83 trilogy but made 20+ years\u00a0<em>after<\/em>) delivers much drama, darkness and some absurdity. Williams takes it all in his stride, though, with broad Mahlerian strokes to underline Anakin Skywalker\u2019s fall from grace \u2013 spoiler alert, he becomes Darth Vader \u2013 and what amounts to a Jedi genocide.<\/p>\n<p>Probably the most choir-heavy of all the scores, it\u2019s marvellous stuff but perhaps quite removed from the sound of\u00a0<em>Star Wars<\/em>\u00a0we know and love.<\/p>\n<p>The appearance of babies Luke and Leia, and the \u2018birth\u2019 of Darth Vader, in the finale allows Williams to dust off some classic themes, though.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/gp\/product\/B07CMNH41N\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith\/0050087364250&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;Anakin's\" betrayal=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m2p-im7cxa4?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#7 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode VIII: The Last Jedi\u00a0(2017)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Last-Jedi-OST-John-Williams\/dp\/B0758KSWZK\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Studio Orchestra; Los Angeles Master Chorale \/John Williams &amp; William Ross<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The middle film of the most recent trilogy saw Williams build on an arsenal of new themes he introduced in\u00a0<em>The Force Awakens<\/em>. There is rather less looking over the shoulder to \u2018classic\u2019 themes, though a much-anticipated \u2018reunion\u2019 of siblings Luke and Leia sees the return of the composer\u2019s 1983 theme for the pair. Action music is rife, but not trivial; Williams seems to have been much-inspired and revels in it.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s lightness and brevity, too, with memorable new music for the resistance fighter Rosie, an unusual casino scene and rollicking music for a chase on horse-like creatures called \u2018Fathiers\u2019.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Last-Jedi-OST-John-Williams\/dp\/B0758KSWZK\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-viii-the-last-jedi\/0050087384715&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;John\" williams=\"\" the=\"\" fathiers=\"\" wars:=\"\" last=\"\" jedi=\"\" only=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lk6YaL9wg0E?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#6 \/ Star Wars \u2013 Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker\u00a0(2019)<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Skywalker-John-Williams\/dp\/B082BXFMGH\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Studio Orchestra; Los Angeles Master Chorale\/John Williams<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Williams\u2019s final entry in this\u00a0<em>Star Wars<\/em>\u00a0saga doesn\u2019t see him resting on his laurels or showing any signs of boredom.<\/p>\n<p>Given this film ties up a story which began in 1977, Williams brings out many classic themes and moments to create bridges between plot moments and characters. It\u2019s deftly done, sometimes thrillingly.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s an abundance of new material, too, with a lyrical new theme of belonging and destiny, a delightful speeder chase through the desert and no end of despicably dark modes for the evil Emperor \u2013 including an \u2018Anthem of Evil\u2019.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Skywalker-John-Williams\/dp\/B082BXFMGH\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker\/0050087439941.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/blackwells.co.uk\/bookshop\/product\/9781540087010&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy easy piano sheet music from Blackwell\u2019s<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;John\" williams=\"\" the=\"\" rise=\"\" of=\"\" skywalker=\"\" wars:=\"\" only=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l-9reMkxTjw?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#5 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode I: The Phantom Menace\u00a0(1999)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Phantom-Menace-Ultimate\/dp\/B000051VYS\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra; London Voices\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This was Williams\u2019s first return visit to the galaxy far, far away and the beginning of a new trilogy of films with director George Lucas. The 16-year gap had left fans anticipating greatly what a new\u00a0<em>Star Wars<\/em>\u00a0score would sound like.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a sophistication and opulence to be found here, fresh sounds for colourful new worlds and characters. It remains an underrated score, one which is a masterclass is musical storytelling.<\/p>\n<p>Williams cleverly pre-empts themes and material that would \u2018follow\u2019 in later instalments in the timeline. Indeed, his theme for the child Anakin Skywalker ends with a subtle quotation of what will be Darth Vader\u2019s theme. The crowning glory of the score is \u2018Duel of the Fates\u2019, a choral-symphonic tone poem of sorts. With a complex story to set out, it\u2019s Williams\u2019s music which binds this galaxy together.<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Phantom-Menace-Ultimate\/dp\/B000051VYS\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-i-the-phantom-menace\/0050087364274.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;Duel\" of=\"\" the=\"\" fates=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D_2bluVPsb0?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#4 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode VII: The Force Awakens\u00a0(2015)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Awakens-Original-Soundtrack\/dp\/B014V6LQ2E\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Studio Orchestra\/John Williams, William Ross &amp; Gustavo Dudamel<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Given this most recent, and final, trilogy of films picks up some 35 years after the original trilogy ended, you\u2019d expect John Williams to rely heavily on established themes. What he did, though, was embrace fully the new threads and faces that director JJ Abrams brought to life.<\/p>\n<p>It feels like the composer was really inspired with this film and these characters, as he created a raft of new and memorable themes and motifs. At the heart of the score is \u2018Rey\u2019s Theme\u2019, written for a character (and actress) who Williams admits enchanted him. The references to established musical material are effectively executed and have a lot of impact \u2013 in particular the reunion of the estranged Han Solo and Princess (General) Leia.<\/p>\n<p>Gustavo Dudamel guest-conducted portions of the score, including the opening \u2018Main Title\u2019.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Awakens-Original-Soundtrack\/dp\/B014V6LQ2E\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-vii-the-force-awakens\/0050087335885.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.musicroom.com\/product\/hl00154451\/john-williams-star-wars-the-force-awakens-piano-solo-piano.aspx&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy piano sheet music from Musicroom<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;John\" williams=\"\" rey=\"\" theme=\"\" only=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/65As1V0vQDM?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#3 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode VI: Return of the Jedi\u00a0(1983)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Episode-Remastered-Version\/dp\/B0002W2KQS\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The original third film in third place\u2026 by this point the soundworld and themes were well established and already much-loved.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s an emotional depth and charm to this score which can be overlooked. Williams composed new themes, including one for the \u2018vile gangster\u2019 Jabba the Hutt, an ominous choral chant for Emperor Palpatine and a colourfully riotous piece for the diminutive Ewok warriors.<\/p>\n<p>The space and forest battle music is some of the composer\u2019s finest, perfectly balancing pace, action, emotion and humour as the rebels triumph over the empire.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Episode-Remastered-Version\/dp\/B0002W2KQS\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi\/0050087364243.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;The\" forest=\"\" battle=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ebCnaPzteZM?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#2 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode IV: A New Hope\u00a0(1977)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Hope-John-Williams\/dp\/B075VNP551\/r?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the one that started it all. George Lucas asked Williams for an old-fashioned symphonic film score and it was a request that would see a resurgence in thematic, orchestral music in films. It also secured Williams\u2019s place at the top of the A-list of Hollywood\u2019s composers and established what would really be his signature style.<\/p>\n<p>The root of all the scores that followed is established here and with the familiarity of the \u2018Main Title\u2019 (aka Luke Skywalker\u2019s theme) in mind, it\u2019s easy to forget the rest of the score. It\u2019s inventive, exciting and introduced a generation of filmgoers to the concert hall thanks to its life beyond the screen.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Hope-John-Williams\/dp\/B075VNP551\/r?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-iv-a-new-hope\/0050087364229.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;The\" desert=\"\" and=\"\" the=\"\" robot=\"\" auction=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vC_mMRgesA8?start=3&amp;feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>#1 \/\u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back\u00a0(1980)<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Empire-Strikes-Back\/dp\/B075VNX66B\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\"><strong>London Symphony Orchestra\/John Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Williams could never have known just how impactful the first\u00a0<em>Star Wars<\/em> film, and score, would be. With the follow-up, though, he knew what he was dealing with, so he could play around and dig a little deeper.<\/p>\n<p>Themes returned, were embellished and an established soundworld was mined ever-deeper, eliciting some of the composer\u2019s most dynamic and thrilling dramatic scoring. Highlights include the Battle of Hoth, the chase through the Asteroid Field and a nail-biting finale showdown between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.<\/p>\n<p>There were strong new themes for this film, too, including a march for Vader, a furtive love theme for Han Solo and the Princess and a noble, poetic piece for the ancient Jedi Master, Yoda. It doesn\u2019t get better than this.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Star-Wars-Empire-Strikes-Back\/dp\/B075VNX66B\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&amp;ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;sponsored&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/star-wars--episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back\/0050087364267.html&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\"><strong>Buy soundtrack from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;The\" asteroid=\"\" field=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XNDEljd1cQI?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<section class=\"&quot;highlight\"> <div class=\"&quot;highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/tv-and-film-music\/john-williams-best-scores\/&quot;\">10 best film scores by John Williams<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/10-best-films-made-about-composers\/&quot;\">10 of the best (and worst) films about composers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-20th-century-british-film-scores\/&quot;\">Best 20th-century British film scores<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-bond-film-theme-tune\/&quot;\">Which is the best James Bond film theme tune?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/how-many-female-film-composers-have-won-oscars\/&quot;\">How many female film composers have won Oscars?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section> <p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Michael Beek Published: Friday, 16 December 2022 at 12:00 am \u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is the final part of an incredible body of work by a single composer, John Williams. John Williams, one of the best film composers in the world, has written each of the nine original scores [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":22902,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best.jpg",625,350,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best-300x168.jpg",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best.jpg",625,350,false],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best.jpg",625,350,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best.jpg",625,350,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/12\/best-star-wars-music-all-nine-star-wars-music-scores-ranked-worst-to-best.jpg",625,350,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Michael Beek Published: Friday, 16 December 2022 at 12:00 am \u00a0Star Wars \u2013 Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is the final part of an incredible body of work by a single composer, John Williams. John Williams, one of the best film composers in the world, has written each of the nine original scores&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/22901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}