Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the film score to the 1999 film of the same name released by Sony Classical on May 4, 1999, two weeks before the film's theatrical release. The music was composed and conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices. In anticipation of the long-awaited film, the soundtrack was certified Platinum in the United States and Gold in the United Kingdom, where it entered the UK album charts at number eight.
Three formats were available, and a new one was released in February 2012:
- The original album released on compact disc to accompany the film (May 4, 1999). This release is a single disc containing 17 tracks from the score. Each track is edited by Williams to present the score as one would hear it in a concert suite.
- This album was also available on a two disc vinyl LP set through specialized retailers such as Star Wars Insider.
- The Two-Disc Ultimate Edition released by popular demand (November 14, 2000). This set presents the score predominately as heard in the film (with most of the edits, loops, tracked music, and post-production changes in place). Although not exactly what is heard in the film, this set was meant to be listened to as one would hear the score in the film, but is not the complete score (although it is falsely stated on the back of the set as being 'every note recorded.')
- A special re-issue of the original album to celebrate the film's 3D re-release on February 6, 2012. This version is to contain the "Duel of the Fates (Dialogue Version)" bonus track originally included on the Ultimate Edition.
None of the releases contain the entire score. Currently, no complete release has been made. The Album and Ultimate Edition each contain music not featured on the other release. Both sets also contain alternate takes of cues, while neither present some of the alternate takes only heard in the film.
Overview
Recorded in Abbey Road Studios over a week, starting on February 10, 1999 performed by the London Voices and London Symphony Orchestra, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was the first Star Wars score Williams had composed in over 16 years. Williams produced the recording sessions himself with Shawn Murphy recording and mixing the score. Kenneth Wannberg returned as music editor, having fulfilled this task on the previous three Star Wars scores. Several source cues were also composed by Williams' son, Joseph.
The scores of the following two films would rely heavily upon tracking from this score, a decision that Williams and George Lucas had decided upon early into the film's production.[1]
No complete score has ever been released, but the majority of unreleased pieces can be heard in various LucasArts video games.
After the album's release, the popularity of a more complete bootleg version of the score began to steal profits. In response, Sony released the Ultimate Edition, presenting the score nearly as it is heard in the film while falsely marketing itself as "every note ever recorded."
Differences between versions
In the recording studio, Williams records cues multiple times. A track's film and album versions can be drastically different. One cue can be made up of several takes, putting together the best moments of each, replacing flubbed notes.
Since each track is run several times, each performance differs slightly. Occasionally, Williams will change orchestrations right on the spot. The score also makes use of several insert pieces which usually replace certain sections within a cue.
Examples of Different Takes:
- Track 4 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. Video Games: The version used in the film cut out the cue's end, which features a snare roll, followed by a cymbal crash, a three-note horn blast followed by a final horn blast/snare hit. The final chord was used instead at the end of "The Droid Invasion". This ending was used in Attack of the Clones as Mace Windu enters the Geonosian arena.
- Track 31 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. DVD vs. Track 7 of the 1-disc album vs video games: The film features loops and extended segments of "The Flag Parade" not featured in the UE. The Album also features a similar loop, as do the video games.
- Track 32 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. Film: The track segues straight into the ending moments of "The Flag Parade", whereas in the film, there is a considerable gap in between. Also, an abridged version of the cue's ending measures have been retained despite not appearing in the film.
- "Take to Your Ships": Take to Your Ships has many different orchestrations heard throughout the UE, the album, earlier and later LucasArts games.
- "Duel of the Fates" many versions: Duel of the Fates has several different orchestrations heard in the games, Album, and Ultimate Edition.
- "Anakin's Theme" vs. Alternate Take: The Alternate take heard in the games has a loud bang in the middle of the track (possibly from an instrumentalist hitting their stand). It also is shorter and eliminates the return to the descending middle segment.
Limited Edition Vinyl Reissue
I Am Shark reissues Episode I, II, and III on limited edited colored 2xLP
I Am Shark reissued the release the original soundtrack to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, in late 2014 continuing through December 2015. This will be part one of three, continuing on the prequel trilogy soundtracks, as well as I Am Shark’s new face as an independent label for Film/TV/Game soundtracks. "John Williams’ score is wonderful, and his use of leitmotif and the way he creates new themes while weaving in existing music from the saga is a treat. Williams is truly a master of Wagnerian-bombast and baroque composition, and when “Duel Of The Fates” kicks in, the Star Wars faithful can just sit there, listening and wishing that the theme was from a much better movie. The vinyl mastering on the release is also very good, and retains that certain warmth that you can’t get from the digital releases." [2]
The release was released in a 2xLP format, with limited color versions coordinating with characters through out the movies;
- Qui-Gon Jinn - (Green / Brown Marble)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Transparent Blue)
- Darth Maul (Black w/ Red and Gold Stripe)
- Hyperdrive (White Splatter on Black)
- Darkside (180 Gram)
Track listing
Original release
- The original release of the soundtrack only contained one disc.
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1. | "Star Wars Main Title and The Arrival at Naboo" | 2:55 |
2. | "Duel of the Fates" | 4:14 |
3. | "Anakin's Theme" | 3:05 |
4. | "Jar Jar's Introduction and The Swim to Otoh Gunga" | 5:07 |
5. | "The Sith Spacecraft and The Droid Battle" | 2:37 |
6. | "The Trip to the Naboo Temple and The Audience with Boss Nass" | 4:07 |
7. | "The Arrival at Tatooine and The Flag Parade" | 4:04 |
8. | "He is the Chosen One" | 3:53 |
9. | "Anakin Defeats Sebulba" | 4:24 |
10. | "Passage Through the Planet Core" | 4:40 |
11. | "Watto's Deal and Kids at Play" | 4:57 |
12. | "Panaka and the Queen's Protectors" | 3:24 |
13. | "Queen Amidala and The Naboo Palace" | 4:51 |
14. | "The Droid Invasion and The Appearance of Darth Maul" | 5:14 |
15. | "Qui-Gon's Noble End" | 3:48 |
16. | "The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon's Funeral" | 3:09 |
17. | "Augie's Great Municipal Band and End Credits" | 9:37 |
Ultimate Edition
- Due to the Ultimate Edition portrayal of the score as a film version, and to alleviate long tracks, certain tracks may be several minutes long, but are broken up into segments. When being played, the individual segments are separate tracks. The main track names are in bold and their separate portions follow.
- Released on November 14, 2000.
Disc 1
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1. | "Fox Fanfare" (Alfred Newman) | 0:23 |
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2. | "Star Wars Main Title" | 1:24 |
3. | "Boarding The Federation Battleship" | 2:31 |
4. | "Death Warrant For Qui-Gon And Obi-Wan" | 1:18 |
5. | "Fighting The Destroyer Droids" | 1:44 |
6. | "Queen Amidala Warns The Federation" | 2:23 |
7. | "The Droid Invasion" | 1:00 |
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8. | "Swimming To Otoh Gunga" | 0:56 |
9. | "Inside the Bubble City" | 3:05 |
10. | "Attack Of The Giant Fish" | 1:37 |
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12. | "The Giant Squid And The Attack On Theed" | 1:18 |
13. | "Qui-Gon And Obi-Wan Rescue The Queen" | 2:09 |
14. | "Fighting The Guards" | 1:42 |
15. | "Escape From Naboo" | 2:04 |
16. | "Enter Darth Maul" | 1:07 |
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17. | "The Arrival At Tatooine" | 2:28 |
18. | "Street Band Of Mos Espa" | 1:16 |
19. | "Padme Meets Anakin" | 1:12 |
20. | "Desert Winds" | 1:28 |
21. | "Jar Jar’s Run-In With Sebulba" | 1:18 |
22. | "Anakin’s Home And The Introduction To Threepio" | 2:22 |
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23. | "Darth Sidious And Darth Maul" | 1:12 |
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24. | "Talk Of Podracing" | 2:58 |
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25. | "Watto’s Deal / Shmi And Qui-Gon Talk" | 2:24 |
26. | "Anakin, Podracer Mechanic" | 1:38 |
27. | "The Racer Roars To Life / Anakin’s Midi-Chlorian Count" | 1:24 |
28. | "Darth Maul And The Sith Spacecraft" | 1:00 |
29. | "Mos Espa Arena Band" | 0:53 |
30. | "Watto’s Roll Of The Die" | 1:59 |
31. | "The Flag Parade" | 1:14 |
32. | "Sebulba’s Dirty Hand / Qui-Gon’s Pep Talk" | 1:37 |
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33. | "Anakin Defeats Sebulba" | 2:17 |
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34. | "Hail To The Winner, Anakin Skywalker" | 1:13 |
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35. | "The Street Singer" | 1:13 |
Disc 2
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1. | "Anakin is Free" | 5:04 |
2. | "Qui-Gon and Darth Maul Meet" | 1:48 |
3. | "Anakin and Group to Coruscant" | 4:11 |
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4. | "The Queen And Palpatine" | 0:41 |
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5. | "High Council Meeting" | 2:37 |
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6. | "The Senate" | 1:12 |
7. | "Anakin’s Test" | 3:41 |
8. | "Qui-Gon’s Mission/Obi-Wan’s Warning" | 3:47 |
9. | "Nute And Rune Confer With Darth Sidious" | 0:29 |
10. | "The Queen And Group Land On Naboo" | 2:19 |
11. | "Jar Jar Leads Group to the Gungans" | 2:25 |
12. | "War Plans" | 2:31 |
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13. | "Darth Sidious Receives News of the Gungan Army" | 0:25 |
14. | "The Gungans March" | 0:57 |
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15. | "The Queen and Her Group Sneak Back to the Palace" | 0:18 |
16. | "The Battle Begins" | 0:24 |
17. | "The Republic Pilots Take Off Into Space" | 1:26 |
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18. | "Activate the Droids" | 0:44 |
19. | "The Gungans Fight Back" | 0:24 |
20. | "The Duel Begins" | 0:51 |
21. | "Anakin Takes Off in Spaceship" | 0:47 |
22. | "The Duel Continues" | 0:59 |
23. | "The Battle Rages On" | 1:59 |
24. | "Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan And Darth Maul Continue Battle" | 1:22 |
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25. | "Qui-Gon, Darth Maul and the Invisible Wall" | 0:14 |
26. | "The Gungans Retreat and the Queen Surrenders" | 2:18 |
27. | "The Death Of Qui-Gon and the Surrender of the Gungans" | 2:28 |
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28. | "The Tide Turns/The Death of Darth Maul" | 3:24 |
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29. | "The Queen Confronts Nute and Rune" | 1:47 |
30. | "The Funeral of Qui-Gon" | 1:18 |
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32. | "End Credits" | 8:14 |
33. | "Duel of the Fates (Dialogue Version)" (Bonus Track) | 4:21 |
Certifications
References
External links
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