I had recently discovered the unused / deleted music for the Empire Strikes Back and had never known so much music was cut out of the film and although many of the cut's I have to say I agree with I could not help feel that a bit too much had been cut away and not to mention some small differences I noticed of better start and stop points for the score.
So I have put together some demo videos of what I felt should have been kept. But I also want to say that I would like to encourage others if they feel like it to chip in and do demo's of what they felt should have been kept also. So If you like I don't want to command this thread as my own project but that anyone can have a go and a say if they so wish.
Basically I viewed the unused / deleted score as often interfering but in some instances where it does not I wanted to restore these sections but also try to maintain Kershners intensity. By no means am I saying my mock ups are final decisions of what is best as peoples opinions differ. But I have had a go at trying to bring more Williams score into the films scenes without ruining Kershners intentions.
So first off check this page for the deleted score in it's entireity.
http://www.starwarz.com/tbone/the-empire-strikes-back-restored-music/
Then check the original film or the special edition.
Ok now for some edits.
Echo Base
Link Deleted
What I did. Simply started the music a bit sooner when Han shakes hands with the general. This is actually where the theme starts.
Hoth Search
Link Deleted
What I did. I included the music where Luke collapses in the snow, and I also added the transition sting for when we cut back to echo base. I am not actually to sure about this last one (I also thought about moving this cue to when the door actually slams shut to give that more emphasis) but I really feel the music when Luke collapses a dead cert as should not have been cut. I also think that I should have cut it a bit sooner losing the timpani hit. a second attempt on this I think is needed.
Probe Droid
http://vimeo.com/101691213
What I did. ah this is complicated much flitting back between the original and the scored version but I really like the way it came out. Would never dream of replacing the concert imperial march though. That has to stay in my opinion.
Meet Yoda
http://vimeo.com/101691388
What I did. Simple and fun actually a one note rescore in there but repeated the playful theme and started the last cue a couple of seconds earlier this is where the theme actually starts. I think it's simple and nice.
Mynocks!
I really like the imperial march rather than the silence perhaps kershner felt this was over used but it is short and sweet and I think if the deleted scenes were present then it would definitely not feel over used but this is my concern on this one as much as I like it. Included mysterious sting for Leias first glimpse of a Mynock. And changed Han's Blaster to the correct sound just because I felt like it. but I also went this far in the footage so as to associate that sound with the Mynocks that is heard when Leia first makes a spot.
Luke Training
Started the score a bit earlier on "no, no there is no why.." Simply because I feel that it transitions into dark side cave a lot better. all other additions I kept scrapped.
The Duel Part 1
I kept the score going until Vader delivers his line and I had the idea a while back was unsure if it would work but yes It works ever so well and I think it's just perfect this way. you can feel the drop off after Vader delivers the line and really creates a lot more tension.
Han to the Rescue and North Ridge I decided any unused / deleted music was best kept that way in these 2 instances
I plan to do a few more, but I would like to discuss the deleted score and I would also like to see other peoples edits of what they think also. As it's open to interpretation. If you think that the soundtrack is perfect as is I am cool with that but this is a discussion about trying to figure out the best way to restore more Williams music and disputing should so much have been cut? And has it even been cut short in some theme instances which I think I have spotted 2 of those so far.
So if you just want to share an idea or share an audio score edit please do so as I think many people are interested in John Williams original unused score and what can be taken from it to perhaps further improve the film. But please no alternative cues like the snow speeders take flight or the alternative intro cues as these are unuseable and impossible in any edit unless you use that music in another scene for instance. But I wanted to focus more on restoration than anything radical with this.