Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire [Original Game Soundtrack]

by Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Joel McNeely, Robert Townson

Overview

The score for the video game Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire represents the first authorized music from George Lucas' interstellar franchise written by a composer other than John Williams. Joel McNeely, who succeeded Williams for the television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, was the logical choice here as well. Employing signature themes and motifs from Williams' original Star Wars score -- arguably the most beloved and influential movie music of the late 20th century -- McNeely vividly captures the power and majesty one expects from the series, thanks in large part to the epic performance of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. To McNeely's credit, he also deviates sharply from Williams' template, contributing dissonant, intensely rhythmic passages (most notably "Xizor's Theme") without precedent in the Star Wars canon. Purists may blanch, but more adventurous listeners will appreciate the divergences from formula. ~ Jason Ankeny

Product Details

Release Date:	08/07/2020
Label:	Var?Se Sarabande
UPC:	0888072173637
Rank:	100350

Tracks

1. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Main Theme Fromm Star Wars and Leia's Nightmare
2. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~The Battle of Gall
3. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Immperial CCity
4. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Beggar's Canyon Chase
5. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~The Southern Underground
6. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Xizor's Theme
7. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~The Seduction of Princess Lela
8. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Night Skies
9. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Into the Sewers
10. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire~Destruction of Xizor's Palace

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Robert Townson   Primary Artist,Conductor
Joel McNeely   Primary Artist,Conductor
Royal Scottish National Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus   Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

Robert Townson   Producer
John Williams   Original Material,Composer
Joel McNeely   Orchestration,Composer
Geoff Foster   Engineer
Graham Kirkby   Assistant Engineer
Drew Struzan   Cover Design,Paintings
Matthew Peak   Photography
David Slonaker   Orchestration
Vic Fraser   Music Preparation
John Bell   Orchestration
Ben Burtt   Text