If you are a record collector and a fan of Star Wars Varèse Sarabande Records has some great news for you. Varèse Sarabande Records is re-issuing the out-of-print LP The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score by Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams. This LP has been out of print since 1980 but you can pre-order it now by clicking here. Here are the official details from Varèse Sarabande Records.

The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score 

Varèse Sarabande Records is re-issuing the long out-of-print LP The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score by Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams. Out of print since 1980, the record is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket featuring the original Star Wars paintings and notes. Available now from VarèseSarabande.com along with two limited exclusive versions: “Imperial Grey Marble” (Newbury Comics), and a Canadian exclusive on “Cloud City Orange” available only at Sunrise retail shops.

The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score Front Cover

Originally released to supplement and not compete with the 2-LP Motion Picture Soundtrack, this 1-LP release skillfully combines a “Symphonic Suite” that John Williams created for concert performance with new arrangements of other cues from the film score. The Empire Strikes Back has become not only one of Williams’ most iconic scores, but one of the most iconic film scores of all time. The LP comes in a gatefold jacket with the original iconic Star Wars paintings by William Stout, images of John Williams, and notes from author Ray Bradbury, composer and critic Christopher Palmer, and from the maestro himself. 

“The Suite, which I had specially written and adapted for concert performance […] had been skillfully augmented with other music from the film to form a unified whole. A great orchestra and Gerhardt’s opulent sound and dramatic phrasing combine to make a fine addition to a rapidly growing list of great recordings of film music.” – John Williams

The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score Back Cover

The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score Tracks

Track Listing Side A

  1. 20th Century-Fox Fanfare (0:21) 
  2. Main Title/The Imperial Probe (5:25) 
  3. Luke’s First Crash (2:29) 
  4. Han Solo And The Princess (4:26) 
  5. The Asteroid Field (4:12) 
  6. The Training Of A Jedi Knight and “May The Force Be With You” (1:56) 
  7. The Battle In The Snow (3:06) 

Track Listing Side B

  1. The Imperial March (3:21) 
  2. The Magic Tree (3:38) 
  3. Yoda’s Theme (3:34) 
  4. The Rebels Escape Again (3:01) 
  5. Lando’s Palace, The Duel (Through The Window) (5:01) 
  6. Finale (4:39) 

We Want To Hear From You

What are your thoughts on The Empire Strikes Back – Symphonic Suite from the Original Motion Picture Score from Varèse Sarabande Records? Is this a must-have for your collection? Also what other Star Wars LPs would you like to add to your collection? That Hashtag Show wants to hear from you!

You can tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment below or hitting me up at starwarsnerd574. You can also join me at the Midwest Star Wars Fanatics fan page to chat about all things Star Wars. Also, make sure to stay up to date on all the Star Wars news by following us at ThatHashtagShow.com. More importantly, be safe, I can’t wait to see you all at Celebration 2022.

Source: Varèse Sarabande Records.