Josh500 1,615 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Does anyone know whatever happened to the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra? In 1990 (I think) John Williams recorded the Star Wars Trilogy with this orchestra, which was assembled by George Lucas so they didn't have to fly to London for the scoring sessions. I haven't heard of the orchestra since . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra recorded several scores in the 90's, but for some reason just did not last.I know Silvestri used then at least 2 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Really? Do you know for which scores Silvestri used the SSO??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 If memory serves, Ricochet and Soapdish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Predator 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 JW never recorded with the SSO again after the Star Wars Trilogy, did he? (I guess no orchestra in the world comes even close to the London Symphony Orchestra.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Predator 3.Predator 2.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RomanticStrings 10 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 But wait... How does John Williams record the scores for the Trilogy with the SSO in 1990 when the films were all scored and recorded at their times of production with the LSO?~Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Lewis 6 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Because the time of production for the classic trilogy is not 1990. Hence the term "re-recording". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RomanticStrings 10 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 But no one has used the term "re-recoded" in this thread, except for you, Ender. Is it a re-recording that was used in the films? Then the term "scoring sessions" from Josh500's first post makes sense, but if it was just for a re-release of the score, then my question still stands, although our two posts combined seem to provide one or two possible answers.~Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Conor, "The Star Wars Trilogy" mentioned in the very first post is this album.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RomanticStrings 10 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Thank you, Neil. I was all confused about this recording/re-recording business.~Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 That much is certain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Predator 3.Predator 2.Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 But no one has used the term "re-recoded" in this thread, except for you, Ender. Is it a re-recording that was used in the films? Then the term "scoring sessions" from Josh500's first post makes sense, but if it was just for a re-release of the score, then my question still stands, although our two posts combined seem to provide one or two possible answers.~ConorThe recording of 1990 -- The Star Wars Trilogy -- was never used in the films. The original scoring sessions as everybody knows were with the LSO, JW just recorded the best of the three soundtracks over again with the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra.By the way, does anyone have the recording of the Star Wars Trilogy with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Varujan Kojian? How does this compare to JW's Star Wars Trilogy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RomanticStrings 10 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Thank you, Josh500. It all makes sense, now.~Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 does anyone have the recording of the Star Wars Trilogy with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Varujan Kojian? How does this compare to JW's Star Wars Trilogy?It's a much better album. The Williams conducted album is too dull in it's interpretations of the music. The Kojian album really has a drive to it that is missing from the Sony snoozefest of an album.You can read about the various rerecordings in this thread.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaft 2,132 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I have the Varujan Jojian recording. It's pretty good, performance and all, though it doesnt stand up to the gorgeous Skywalker recording, still my favorite single Star Wars CD in my collection. JW's incredible "concertization" of the Throne Room cue at the end of the album is worth the price of the CD alone.To it's credit, the Varujan CD does have some neat cues on it, stuff from the Endor battle in ROTJ and Vader's Death. But you can tell it's not Williams. Still, Star Wars...gotta get that CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 JW's incredible "concertization" of the Throne Room cue at the end of the album is worth the price of the CD alone.Which was better performed in 1978 by Gerhardt and Mehta.Neil - actually listening to the Skywalker album cue right now. Had to get in my annual listening before the year was up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 According to the credits on my Hellboy CD, the SSO also performed the music for this score - the first one I can remember for many years!-Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 JW just recorded the best of the three soundtracks over again with the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra.To be exact, he recorded parts of the suites, i.e. the concert versions, not real cues from the original soundtracks.I still don't have the Kojian, though I'd like to hear it; his Korngold recordings are excellent. I still maintain though that the Skywalker Symphony recording is excellent, and though it's quite different to the Gerhardts, of even quality (and better than Gerhardt's overrated ESB, while we are at it ).Marian - glad to see he isn't the only one who likes it. SWAT (Elliot Goldenthal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 does anyone have the recording of the Star Wars Trilogy with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Varujan Kojian? How does this compare to JW's Star Wars Trilogy?It's a much better album. The Williams conducted album is too dull in it's interpretations of the music. The Kojian album really has a drive to it that is missing from the Sony snoozefest of an album.You can read about the various rerecordings in this thread.NeilOkay, I just went through the thread and I gotta say . . . I've got to get the Varuan Kojian version as well. I've seen it many times in the store but have always avoided it because it wasn't conducted by Williams. I still believe that JW's version will be better, but if it's that good that some prefer the USO version over the SSO version, then it's certainly worth a listen or two.Josh, who's got two copies of the SSO version because he listened to it so many times that the first CD got worn out that it can't be properly played anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,260 Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra was also used by Christopher Young in Jennifer 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra was also used by Christopher Young in Jennifer 8.Which was basically Christopher Young doing a Presumed Innocent.----------------Alex Cremers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted January 3, 2005 Author Share Posted January 3, 2005 Okay, I just got myself the Varese Sarabande release of the Star Wars trilogy. I listened to it twice from beginning to end I gotta say . . . who are we kidding? OF COURSE, the version conducted by JW is way better. The Utah Symphony Orchestra version, though I have to admit is a pretty decent effort, can't hold a lightsaber to the Skywalker Symphony version (to coin a particularly apt phrase). May the force be with John Williams and any orchestra he decides to conduct in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 who are we kidding? OF COURSE, the version conducted by JW is way better.You're kidding yourself.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted January 3, 2005 Author Share Posted January 3, 2005 As a matter of fact, I'm not.The only thing that struck me as really cute about the Varese Sarabande version is how, at the beginning of Parade of the Ewoks, you can hear those weird sound effects . . . it sounds almost like they had a young bear or tiger or something (perhaps an Ewok) running around the studio during the recording session and had made it squeal and moan at the right moments. That was missing from the JW version, but other than that . . . boy, it made me realize just how great a conductor JW really is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 Some of Skywalker's Star Wars themes are really good, I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytrumpet 0 Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I think the Skywalker symphony recording sounds bad.It's not together and sometimes out of tune.Also the balance isn't great either.It sounds as if it was put together very quickly.The Utah symphony is much stronger as a group,and quite better technically.It would have been cool to have JW conduct them.But nothing beats the original recordings of the LSO with JW conducting.Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I like The Imperial March performance, otherwise the remainder of the album is not the greatest IMO. Far too much treble and not enough bass I always thought!-Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I think the Skywalker symphony recording sounds bad.It's not together and sometimes out of tune.Also the balance isn't great either.It sounds as if it was put together very quickly.The Utah symphony is much stronger as a group,and quite better technically.That's because they weren't a group. It was a bunch of assembled musicians playing together for the first time. I, however, do like the sound of the recording. It's kind of "dry" but without sounding harsh. ----------------Alex Cremers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 It's Murphy starting his decline. Did you notice there's actually a piano in Imperial March and Asteroid Field here? Actually, it does sound quite fine...on a good system when you turn up the volume really loud.Marian - who should listen to it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 I'm listening to it right now and I think it's very underrated around these parts of the galaxy. It gives me more pleasure than the three SE combined.----------------Alex Cremers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 It gives me more pleasure than the three SE combined.If by "more pleasure" you mean puts you to sleep faster, then I agree.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 Sometimes Skywalker's tempo is different but the Special Editions sound unnatural and have an awkward tone color and even stranger ambience. I find them almost impossible to listen to, let alone enjoyable. ----------------Alex Cremers - it is decided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 Slow tempos are good. The Skywalker Symphony's Asteroid Field and Throne Room are great, and their Imperial March is unmatched.Marian - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Slow tempos are good. The Skywalker Symphony's Asteroid Field and Throne Room are great, and their Imperial March is unmatched.Other highlights for me are 'Princess Leia' and 'The Little People'. Maybe we should start our own little Star Wars fan club. ----------------Alex Cremers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Maybe we should start our own little Star Wars fan club. For fans of that Sony album? It should be extremely little.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Crichton 4 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I'd think a fan club for any Sony album would be extremely little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I've got plenty of great Sony albums, most of them by Bernstein, Szell and Williams.Marian - The Aviator (Howard Shore) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 The best Sony album interpretation of the Star Wars music is the LSO's re-recording of the main theme with Williams in 1996 on The Hollywood Sound release - a terrific album in its entirety if nobody has listened to it yet:http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B...9031740-5548615-Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I've got plenty of great Sony albums, most of them by Bernstein, Szell and Williams.Marian - The Aviator (Howard Shore)Not hearing great things about Shore's The Aviator, so what's your opinion Marian?-Tim (looking forward to seeing the film next week!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin 2 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 and their Imperial March is unmatched.I don't care for the album as a whole but you are correct their interpretation of the Imperial March is the best version I've ever heard.Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,173 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Not hearing great things about Shore's The Aviator, so what's your opinion Marian?It's really good. Hard to say more about it because I only just got it and listened to it a few times. A couple of short bits slightly remind me of LOTR.Marian - who will listen to it again tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 That's because they weren't a group. It was a bunch of assembled musicians playing together for the first time. I, however, do like the sound of the recording. It's kind of "dry" but without sounding harsh.----------------Alex CremersYep. This album has perhaps the best version of The Imperial March ever. I'm listening to it right now and basically everything is on point. Nice dry recording of a fantastic performance. Shawn Murphy was involved, so this was still before the dark times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 and their Imperial March is unmatched.I don't care for the album as a whole but you are correct their interpretation of the Imperial March is the best version I've ever heard.JustinI miss Justin..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 and their Imperial March is unmatched.I don't care for the album as a whole but you are correct their interpretation of the Imperial March is the best version I've ever heard.JustinI miss Justin.....But he's dead, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Sad. He leaves behind some lovely children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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