https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPi8wyfBYH0

Over the past few years since Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire was released the Star Wars franchise was slowly making a return. In 1996 the Star Wars empire made a full assault on upon the globe marking a full domination in excited nerds worldwide. Movie posters for the original trilogy began showing up in theaters. Multiple books and comics in the expanded universe (EU) began popping up. A huge new game called JedI Knight: Dark Forces 2 showed up on shelves with an advertised graphics card designed to run it. Even preproduction of a new movie had been announced. All of this is happening at the same time as one of the biggest tie in non-movie event campaigns: Shadows of the Empire.

As an idea to create some buzz for the re-release of the original Star Wars trilogy to theaters Lucas Arts made a multimedia campaign to tell a story taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This crossed over in comic books, a novel, the top selling toy line of the year, a video game on the brand new Nintendo 64 and a soundtrack composed by Joel McKneely. The soundtrack has moments of the original movies but is mostly original in theme. Composed in just two weeks, the music is done surprisingly well and is a nice 51 minute treat for Star Wars fans. Aside from the hidden concept art of The Phantom Menace the real beauty of the album is the new character theme added to the Star Wars mythos.

Track 6 of the album, “Xizor’s Theme,” shines out all the other songs. The performance was by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and a 150 piece chorus in Glasgow, Scotland. The song begins by tying into the “The Dune Sea of Tattoine,“ a John Williams song that took nods from Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring 2 - The Sacrifice Introduction.” Brass and piano heavy, there is a Russian-esc feeling to the song. There is a slow crescendo going from mezzo forte , giving slight pause then going full fortississimo as the strings enter giving a feeling of stress. The brass backs down as the choir and strings take the front and the brass are slowly added back as background with a gradual buildup and a sudden end. After a pause is something that truly belongs in in the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack, one of the greatest forgotten soundtracks of all time. The brass and percussion sections cry out an Arabic feeling tune with a marimba hook while adding a small interlude from strings and wind sections.

Aside from being added to the video game: Shadow of the Empire, I only know of this song endearing every digital playlist I have ever had. The beginning makes me want to listen to Prokofiev’s Troika while the second half inspires me. I also feel the usage of the choir inspired a choir to be utilized in the song “Duel of Fates.”

Song Choice: Duel of the Fates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt0UuNpUqK4

Reasoning:
Duel of the Fates is one of the most iconic tracks from the entirety of Star Wars, and widely regarded as one of the "only good things to come out of the Prequel trilogy". What this piece does so well is set the tone of the films themselves. It encompasses aspects of all Star Wars pieces and combines them together to create something new. You have a sense of weight and a sense of wonder. There is something about this piece that just sticks with you. Among the three oft repeated pieces among my Star Wars friends it usually falls on the main theme, the Imperial March, and the Duel of the Fates. This piece particularly is the most often brought up, especially during an intense gaming session. It is not uncommon for groups of friends to start going "dundun, dundun, dundun, deedun" while going at it.

That to me is why this is the best piece in the series. It has staying power; it touches you and doesn't let go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzVBqBosf5w

This is the most epic music in the entire franchise of Star Wars. There is a lot of emotion in it and it's memorable. I think of the fight in episode I all the time when I hear this. I randomly will hum this song to this day. It's great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgJeVwjnpc

I know this song is a parody off another song. But I like it for Star Wars because it shows how the film progresses and how Darth Vader let it go when he changed from Jedi to Sith.

Acolyte Ocarae (Gray Jedi) / Battle Team Grey Wolf of Clan Tarentum [GMRG: II] [SA: II]
DC / PoBx6 / CFx5 / CEx31
{SA: DPE - DPV}

Star Wars Medley by Taylor Davis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzQahpxucKk

This music is not your original take on the star wars universe, as it has an upbeat and modern score to it. With the use of a violin, Taylor plays by herself her own version of The Princess Appears, from Episode IV. It is a beautiful piece full of serenity, peace and bliss, played so expertly it touches your heart. Then striking from the darkness, a sinister foe appears who happens to be Taylor too, and plays the Imperial March to a high precision and mastery. The song makes your hair stand, and the video is a great play on good again evil. Like a true Jedi battle.

All you need to do is sit back, press play and let your heart hear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DtVBD6W5_A

This piece of music effortlessly portrays the Sith Order during the time of the Dark War, it conveys a sense of mystery and the unknown. Like the Jedi of the era, the Sith had fallen into disarray due to the Jedi Civil War, much of their numbers had dwindled only leaving a handful remaining. It reminds me of the academy on Korriban in ruins and left derelict, in the shadows of the Valley of the Dark Lords. It represents the greatest Sith Lords of the time, such as Darth Traya who attempted to destroy the Force, believing it to be the source of all evil, Darth Sion who achieved near immortality through pure pain and hate and Darth Nihilus who had the power to consume the Force auras of entire planets, leaving them barren and lifeless. The way the music will change between mysterious, magical, beautiful and then sinister leaves one with a good impression as to how turbulent this era was.

Title: Christmas Tauntauns
http://tinyurl.com/hhj5wnz

Christmas Tauntauns is the best in my opinion. I was too young to appreciate the toys during the release of Return of the Jedi. However, after I discovered Star Wars, it became a huge part of my life. The song Christmas Tauntauns takes me on a tour through my childhood after discovering Star Wars, the anticipation of Christmas time and the opening of my presents to reveal the different Star Wars toys that I loved and would go on to have countless adventures with... creating my own stories and my own experiences in the Star Wars Universe.

My ultimate choice for a piece of Star Wars music is Force Theme, first heard when Luke steps out of his Aunt and Uncle's house, steps up on a rock and gazes out into the distance, where the two suns of Tatooine are setting. It is by far and large the best piece that gives you a sense of wonder about the galaxy in which Star Wars takes place. As Luke gazes off into the distance and the music swells, you realize that there is something out there. And it is this feeling that, for me, captures the essence of Star Wars. The unknown, the adventure.

Sure, it may not have the same impact as the Imperial March, which threatening tones instill a sense of fear, or of evil. It lacks the epic feeling you get when Duel of the Fates starts playing. Those are incredibly important moments, every single time, but nothing instills that feeling of adventure, and of the vastness of Star Wars, as the Force Theme. To me, that piece is amazing.

Linky to great music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcZ9kQ1h-ZY

Star Wars Mashup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZIFGsZsVjE
This is a collaboration of two greatly talented Youtubers named Peter Hollens and Lindsey Stirling. It is the entire Star Wars theme done with only the range of the human voice and a Violin. Peter Hollens is a wonder to behold, he can produce so many different sounds and tones using only his voice. Lindsey Stirling is a very talented performer, a Violinist, dancer, singer and music writer, she is wonderful and inspiring to watch.

My choice is the Imperial March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8). This piece is, without doubt, the most powerful piece of music within the score of Star Wars. Just the sound of it's opening gives off an air of order and oppression. The tempo is tightly metered and the percussion's beat is one that brings to mind the stamping of thousands of boots, boots of Stormtroopers in formation marching out to crush the enemies of the Empire. As the music continues it softens, but always in the background you hear the main theme, still keeping a cadence, again calling to mind the marching of troopers.

When I hear this I think of the might of the Empire and it's power to crush all who oppose it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9nk_WHHTQtY

Possibly the most beautiful theme in the series. Love the mix of the soft romantic theme with the sound of the horns signaling the coming war. Feels like two young lovers ripped apart by a greater conflict.

Oops uploaded with out text.. sorry.. doing it over. I am not doing Kylo Ren.
https://youtu.be/-bzWSJG93P8

Imperial March. Grand and majestic. Enduces an awe of inspirational proportions. When this theme comes on you immediately know something major is happening. Even if this wasnt starwars it would have no change. The depth in which the Orchestra has provided can only be matched by those of the Classical Era. John Williams had out done his self with this score.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBnCcC_rEdk&index=454&list=PLbnBm-aam6tyWyBFhplLEhUETH0ptqmPC

This may not be from the movies or tv series, but is in fact from Knights of the Old Republic. "Revan's Theme" is an absolute favorite because of the ancient power that can be felt from the chorus. The instrumental part adds a sense of growing power that Revan posesses, and then leads to a victorious part with the chorus to emphasize just how great and mighty Revan is. Thus, a piece of music that glorifies the power of the Sith as well.