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"Once again, John [Williams] has exceeded my expectations and produced a lavish, rich, moving and thrilling score. Every fan of Star Wars—and of great music—is in his debt."
George Lucas about John Williams' score for The Phantom Menace[2]

The Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace score was composed and conducted by John Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. It was released in three formats:

The original album was released by Sony Classical to accompany the film (May 4, 1999).[3] This release is a single CD containing 17 tracks from selections of the score, meant to stand alone as a separate listening experience and not as one hears the score in the film. John Williams edited each track to present the score as one would hear it in a concert suite.[4][5]

This album was also available on a two-LP set through specialized retailers such as Star Wars Insider.

Sony released a two-CD Ultimate Edition was released due to popular demand (November 14, 2000). This set presents the score predominantly 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.[6][7]

A remastered version of the soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on May 4, 2018.[8] supervised by Shawn Murphy and Skywalker Sound, this version was transferred to a new hi-resolution (24/192).[9] This remaster was newly assembled from the highest-quality tapes available, rather than sourced from the existing 1999 album masters.[10]

None of the releases contain the entire score (although the back cover of the Ultimate Edition falsely claims that it contains "every note recorded"). Currently, no complete release has been made.

Media[]

Cover gallery[]

Editions[]

Format Disc Track Title Time
Original Release 1 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 5:07
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
Total: 74:23
Ultimate Edition CD 1 1 Fox Fanfare 0:23
2 TREACHERY WITHIN THE FEDERATION - THE INVASION OF NABOO: 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
8 UNDERWATER ADVENTURE: Swimming to Otoh Gunga 0:56
9 Inside the Bubble City 3:05
10 Attack of the Giant Fish 1:37
11 DARTH SIDIOUS AND THE PASSAGE THROUGH THE PLANET CORE: Darth Sidious 1:04
12 ON TO NABOO AND THE RESCUE OF THE QUEEN: 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
17 DESTINATION TATOOINE, HOME OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER: The Arrival at Tatooine 2:28
18 Street Band of Mos Espa 1:16
19 Padmé Meets Anakin 1:12
20 Desert Winds (Bonus Track) 1:28
21 Jar Jar's Run-In with Sebulba 1:18
22 Anakin's Home and The Introduction to Threepio 2:42
23 THE DARK FORCES PLOT: Darth Sidious and Darth Maul 1:12
24 QUI-GON BETS ON ANAKIN: Talk of Podracing 2:58
25 ANAKIN CLOSES IN ON HIS DESTINY: 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
33 ANAKIN'S VICTORY: Anakin Defeats Sebulba 2:17
34 THE CHEERING CROWD: Hail to the Winner, Anakin Skywalker 1:13
35 MOS ESPA FOLK SONG: The Street Singer 1:13
Total: 57:27
2 1 TO CORUSCANT AND TO PALPATINE AND THE SENATE: Anakin Is Free 5:04
2 Qui-Gon and Darth Maul Meet 1:48
3 Anakin and Group to Coruscant 4:11
4 PALPATINE'S TREACHERY: The Queen and Palpatine 0:41
5 QUI-GON GOES BEFORE YODA: High Council Meeting 2:37
6 WAR COUNCIL AND AN ALLIANCE WITH BOSS NASS AND THE GUNGANS: 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
13 PRELUDE TO WAR: Darth Sidious Receives News of the Gungan Army 0:25
14 The Gungans March 0:57
15 THE GREAT BATTLE BEGINS: 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
18 THE BATTLE CONTINUES: 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
25 THE WAR AT ITS DARKEST: 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
28 GOOD TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL: The Tide Turns/The Death of Darth Maul 3:24
29 THE WRAP-UP: The Queen Confronts Nute and Rune 1:47
30 The Funeral of Qui-Gon 1:18
31 VICTORY PARADE: The Parade 1:24
32 TITLES: End Credits 8:14
33 Duel of the Fates (Dialogue Version) 4:21
Total: 67:04
remastered release 1 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 5:07
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
Total: 74:23

Score Information[]

JohnandLSO1999

John Williams directs the LSO in February 1999.

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.

The scores of the following two films would rely heavily upon tracking from this score, a decision that Williams and George Lucas had made early into production of the film.[11][12][13][14]

No complete score has ever been released, but missing bits and pieces can be heard in various LucasArts video games.

After the release of the album, the popularity of a more complete bootleg version of the score began to steal profits.[15] 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."

A list of all known slate numbers and original cue titles follows:

  1. 1m2 Main Title
  2. 1m3 The Arrival
  3. 1m4 Gas Leak
  4. 1m4a Droid Fight
  5. 1m5 Queen Amidala
  6. 1m6 The Droid Invasion
  7. 1m7 Introducing Jar Jar
  8. 1m8 Bubble World
  9. 1m9 Gone Fishin'
  10. 2m1 Darth Sidious
  11. 2m1a Tentacles
  12. 2m2 Theed Palace Arrival
  13. 2m3 You're Under Arrest
  14. 2m3a Escape from Naboo
  15. 2m4 Intro Darth Maul
  16. 2m5 Arrival at Tatooine
  17. 2m7 I'm A Pilot You Know
  18. 2m10 Stealing Food
  19. 2m11 Through The Slave Quarters
  20. 3m1 Running Out of Time
  21. 3m2 Are You A Jedi?
  22. 3m3 Watto's Deal
  23. 3m4 Kids at Play
  24. 3m5 It's Working
  25. 3m6 The Sith Spacecraft
  26. 3m8 Watto's Big Deal
  27. 3m9 Flag Parade
  28. 3m10 Start Your Engines
  29. 3m11 The Race Begins
  30. 4m1 The Service Ramp
  31. 4m2 Anakin Defeats Sebulba
  32. 4m3 Anakin's Great Victory
  33. 4m5 Anakin Is Free
  34. 4m6 Darth and Qui-Gon
  35. 4m7-8 Coruscant Arrival
  36. 4m9 Queen and Palpatine
  37. 5m1 High Council Meeting
  38. 5m2 The Senate
  39. 5m3 Anakin's Test
  40. 5m4-5 The Chosen One
  41. 5m6 More Nute And Rune
  42. 5m7 Moving Forward
  43. 5m8 The Gungans
  44. 5m9 Promoting Jar Jar
  45. 6m1 The Armies Face Off
  46. 6m1N The Armies Face Off
  47. 6M1 PT2 The Armies Face Off
  48. 6m1X Forest Mist
  49. 6m2 Lazer Fight
  50. 6m2 PT2 Lazer Fight
  51. 6m3 Take To Your Ships
  52. 6m3N Take To Your Ships
  53. 6m4 The Big Army
  54. 6m4a The Fight Begins
  55. 6m5 The Droid Battle
  56. 6m6 Up the Wire
  57. 6m7 The Great Duel
  58. 6m7 PT2 The Great Duel
  59. 6m8-9 Qui-Gon's Noble End
  60. 6m10 Blowups And The Death Of Darth Maul
  61. 6m11 NEW The End of Darth Maul
  62. 7m1 Afer The Victory
  63. 7m1 N-N After The Victory
  64. 7m1A Qui-Gon's Funeral
  65. 7m2 Joe/Randy
  66. 7m2 Joe/Randy 1
  67. 7m2 Source (Brass)
  68. 7m2 Source (Perc)
  69. 7m2 Source (Randy)
  70. 7m2 The Big Parade
  71. 7m3 End Credits
  72. 7m3 End Credits Insert
  73. 7m3 Throne Room
  74. Anakin's Theme
  75. Source 1
  76. Source 2
  77. Source 3
  78. String Cluster
  79. Throne Room (End Credits)

Differences between the versions[]

In the recording studio, Williams records cues multiple times. The film and album versions of a track 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 on the spot.

Examples of different takes:

  • Track 4 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. games: The Ultimate Edition version of the cue "Gas Leak" omits one of the final hits in favor of a loop, and it also omits an ending that can be heard in games such as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
  • Track 7 on Disc 2 of the Ultimate Edition vs. film: The film version has an obvious cough at the very end of the cue not heard on the Ultimate Edition.
  • Track 6 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. game: During the conversation with Queen Padmé Amidala, the music that plays has alternate wind parts not heard in the Ultimate Edition.
  • Track 31 on Disc 1 of the Ultimate Edition vs. DVD: The film features loops and extended segments of the Flag Parade not featured in the Ultimate Edition.
  • 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 "Start Your Engine" has been retained despite not appearing in the film.
  • Track 27 on Disc 2 of the Ultimate Edition vs. film: The whispers heard during the fight between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon are different in the film from those on the Ultimate Edition.
  • "Anakin's Theme": The alternate take heard in the games has a loud bang in the middle of the track (possibly from an instrumentalist hitting his or her stand). It also is shorter and eliminates the return to the descending middle segment.
  • "Take to Your Ships" has many different orchestrations heard throughout the Ultimate Edition, the album, the early Phantom Menace games (Jedi Power Battles and Starfighter) and later LucasArts games (Battlefront II, Revenge of the Sith, and The Force Unleashed).
  • "Duel Continues," released as part of track 16 on Disc 2 of the Ultimate Edition, was originally scored with piccolo jabs underlying the opening timpani. These piccolo jabs were removed from the cue and instead placed over the following cue, "Qui-Gon's Noble End".
  • "Duel of the Fates" has several different orchestrations heard in the games, album, and Ultimate Edition.

Several source cues composed by Williams' son, Joseph. Alternates of cues and alternate recordings of "Duel of the Fates" have unknown slate numbers and for the most part are unreleased.[16]

Credits[]

London Symphony Orchestra[17][]

1st Violins[]

  • G. Nikolitch (Leader)
  • J. Graham (Assistant Leader)
  • L. Mackenzie (Sub-Leader)
  • M. Yang
  • M. Humphrey
  • A. Adlam
  • R. Brightman *
  • N. Broadbent
  • G. Decuyper
  • C. Lauri
  • C. Parfitt
  • E. Pigram
  • L. Quenelle
  • H. Rayfield
  • C. Renwick
  • R. Retallick
  • I. Rhodes
  • M. Spencer
  • S. Vasseur

2nd Violins[]

  • E. Grach (Principal)
  • W. Hill (Co-Principal) *
  • R. Blayden
  • N. Clarke
  • M. Gardner
  • D. Goodall
  • I. McDonough
  • B. McFarlane
  • J. Nixon
  • T. Noriss
  • A. Pollock
  • S. Quinn
  • P. Robson
  • S. Rowlinson

Violas[]

  • E. Vanderspar (Principal)
  • A. Viytovych (Co-Principal)
  • P. Norriss (Sub-Principal) *
  • B. Clarke
  • D. Burns
  • G. Haddow
  • R. Holttum
  • M. Johnston
  • P. Sulski
  • R. Turner
  • E. Varlow
  • J. Welch
  • G. Zagni
  • K. Bradley

Cellos[]

  • M. Welsh (Principal)
  • R. Adams (Sub-Principal) *
  • J. Brown
  • M. Bergin
  • A. Blayden
  • N. Bradshaw
  • N. Gethin
  • K. Glossop *
  • H. Jones
  • F. Saunders *

Basses[]

  • R. Ibragimov (Principal)
  • C. Paris (Co-Principal)
  • N. Worters
  • P. Laurence
  • G. Newson *
  • M. Gibson
  • J. Vaughan
  • A. Bouchaux
  • K. Knussen
  • P. Dawson

Flutes[]

  • P. Edmund-Davies (Principal)
  • M. Parry
  • S. McIlwham

Oboes[]

  • R. Carter (Principal)
  • J. Lawley
  • C. Pendrill

Horns[]

  • T. Jones (Principal)
  • D. Pyatt (Principal)
  • R. Clews
  • W. Haskins
  • J. Lipton
  • N. Evans
  • R. Clarke
  • H. Jenkins

Trombones[]

  • I. Bousfield (Principal)
  • E. Crees (Co-Principal) *
  • J. Maynard
  • R. Hughes

Timpani[]

  • K. H. Goedicke (Principal) *

Percussion[]

  • N. Percy (Principal)
  • S. Carrington (Co-Principal)
  • D. Jackson
  • R. Northcott *
  • C. Thomas
  • C. Malabar
  • J. Comes

Cretan Lyra, Cümbüs[]

  • S. Hall

Bassoons[]

  • R. Gough (Principal)
  • N. Hunka
  • D. Morgan

Clarinets[]

  • A. Marriner (Principal)
  • C. Mo
  • J. Stenhouse
  • N. Rodwell

Trumpets[]

  • M. Murphy (Principal) *
  • R. Franks (Principal)
  • G. Ruddock
  • N. Gomm
  • A. McAneney
  • N. Burfeindt

Tuba[]

  • P. Harrild (Principal)

Piano[]

  • J. Alley (Principal)

Harps[]

  • B. Lewis (Principal)
  • K. Vaughan

Recorders[]

  • A. Findon
  • T. Hinnigan
  • H. Keen

Synthesizers[]

  • R. Kerber
  • J. Williams

Staff[]

  • Administrator: S. Mallet *
  • Concerts Manager: S. Wales
  • Librarian: G. Chambers
  • Managing Director: C. Gillinson *
  • Personnel Managers: T. Morton *, M. Lindop
  • Stage Manager: N. Graham

* Performed on the original Star Wars soundtrack recording (March 1977)

Additional credits[18][]

  • London Voices
    • Director: Terry Edwards
  • New London Children's Choir
    • Director: Ronald Corp
  • Album Mastered by Patricia Sullivan Fourstar at A & M Mastering, Hollywood, CA
  • Assistant Engineers: Jonathan Allen, Andrew Dudman, Dave Forty
  • Music Editor: Ken Wannberg
  • Music Preparation by Dakota Music Service
  • Music Recorded and Mixed by Shawn Murphy at Abbey Road Studios
  • Additional Mixing at Todd-AO Scoring Stage and Skywalker Scoring Stage
  • Producer: John Williams

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. SWInsider "Star News" — Star Wars Insider 44
  2. The Ultimate Edition -- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith on www.ultimateeditionsoundtrack.com (archived from the original on July 13, 2001)
  3. THIS WEEK'S FEATURE STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE on sonyclassical.com (archived from the original on November 27, 2006)
  4. StarWars Sony to Release Episode I Soundtrack on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  5. Cargo Bay Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace Soundtrack in the StarWars.com Cargo Bay (content now obsolete; backup link)
  6. StarWars Sony Music Announces The Ultimate Edition on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  7. Cargo Bay Star Wars: The Phantom Menace The Ultimate Edition in the StarWars.com Cargo Bay (content now obsolete; backup link)
  8. Disney Music Group Set To Release First 6 Remastered Star Wars Original Motion Picture Soundtracks On May 4 on www.prnewswire.com (March 21, 2018) (archived from the original on January 2, 2023)
  9. StarWars Remasters of the First 6 Star Wars Soundtracks Coming May 4 on StarWars.com (backup link)
  10. YouTube John Williams - Star Wars: Remastering The Score on the DisneyMusicVEVO YouTube channel (backup link)
  11. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace on www.sonyclassical.com (archived from the original on January 18, 2000)
  12. StarWars John Williams Records Episode I Soundtrack on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  13. StarWars Completing Visual Effects on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  14. StarWars John Williams Scores on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  15. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace on Filmtracks (archived from the original on February 11, 2021)
  16. http://jwfan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=54 on jwfan.com (content obsolete and backup link not available)
  17. The Ultimate Edition -- Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace -- London Symphony Orchestra on www.ultimateeditionsoundtrack.com (content now obsolete; archived from the original on July 17, 2001)
  18. Ultimate Booklet on www.ultimateeditionsoundtrack.com (archived from the original on July 17, 2001)

External links[]

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