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This is interesting, Varese is doing a vinyl re-press of Charles Gerhardt's recording of The Empire Strikes Back:
https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/john-williams-the-empire-strikes-back-symphonic-suite-from-the-original-motion-picture-score-vinyl
I wonder what the deal is with this and whether it's the same quality as what was released on CD back in the 80s or if this version has had any remastering?
Between this and Shadows of the Empire it seems like Varese is looking to connect to the young Star Wars fans / vinyl fans market.
[PRE-ORDER] Product expected to ship by street date, July 23, 2021.
Originally released to supplement – not compete with – the 2-LP Motion Picture Soundtrack of STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, 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. This fantastic, long out of print album 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. Out of print since original pressing in 1980. 180 gm black vinyl pressing.
"I was delighted when Charles Gerhardt asked me if he could record the suite from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, since I am a great fan of his recorded performances. Moreover, I was so pleased with his recordings of the original STAR WARS and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS scores, which he made in association with producer George Korngold, that I have looked forward to this LP with special anticipation.
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
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I bought the original Chalfont LP through the ad in Starlog magazine back in 1980. I bought the retail download album of that, and I also bought the 2019 Sony album as a download, the one that combines Gerhardt's Star Wars and Return of the Jedi albums. They're actually my main listen for SW music.
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I really don’t see the point of releasing early 16 bit digital recordings on vinyl, might as well get the CD and skip the additions of the imperfect RIAA process... Still, lovely artwork and I’d be keen on getting it just tor that alone if I didn’t already have the original CD.
Same here, I'd get it for the original artwork which is really nice.
But it sounds like, similar to Shadows of the Empire, it's still the older master - so to your point, an early 80's CD master is probably not the best.
These Gerhardt recordings are great in general though - especially the concert version of "Asteroid Field".
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Kinda disappointing this isn't a remaster on CD/lossless download - I'm sure a little bit of a mastering polish wouldn't go amiss. Although it would be great to have all three of the Gerhardt Star Wars albums as a set, although this seems unlikely. Mind you, I mostly listen to the CE3K suite on the Star Wars disc.
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As there was no older vinyl for Shadows, it had to have been remastered. The cd was too, someone from Varese clarified that in the release thread.
Oh really? I asked that was question and was told Shadows Of The Empire had not been remastered and therefore sounded the same as the original CD.
The original CD is really bad - probably the quietest mix I’ve ever heard on a CD before with A LOT of noise.
I’ll have to check that thread again.
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The original Varese CD sounds outstanding, no remastering necessary at all.
That's odd, I remember it being mixed way quieter than most scores and the softer tracks like "Imperial City", "Into the Sewers" and opening of "Battle of Gall" being so quiet that when you boosted it loud enough to hear there was a lot of noise.
But it has been a while since I listened to that original CD.
Are you saying though that this version hasn't been remastered or has it?
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I think we need a new term like "Definitive Soundtrack Quality Anxiety" (DSQA) to articulate the mixed feelings we have about not knowing whether a soundtrack is the best quality or not 
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