BACK TO THE FUTURE & BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II – Composed and Conducted by Alan Silvestri

For the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future and coinciding with the date Marty McFly travels into the future to save his children, Intrada presents this reissue of Alan Silvestri’s stunning and spirited score that kicked off an adventure that spanned three films. Intrada premiered the score in 2009 with a 2-CD set, now out of print, featuring the score as it was heard in the film on disc one and an earlier, unused version of the score as a bonus on disc two. This new single-disc release features just the score as heard in the film, rebuilt from the ground up including new mastering and updated packaging to deliver a crisp, vibrant punch. Intrada worked from transfers of the original two-track elements housed at Universal Studios.

BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)

The 1985 Robert Zemeckis hit needs no introduction. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the film is a flawless production about a teenager (Michael J. Fox) who inadvertently goes back in time 30 years and must help his parents fall in love in order to preserve his own future. The result is one of the most entertaining sci-fi adventures ever produced.  One of the many elements that contributed to Back to the Future’s success is Silvestri’s adventurous, exciting score.  Its impact has been so widely regarded that it has become part of a traveling repertoire of films being shown with live orchestra performing the score in concert halls around the world.  And while the score was an integral part of the film’s overall experience, it was relegated to only two tracks — a mere sampling — on the original soundtrack album released in 1985. The MCA Records release focused primarily on the songs from the film, including the Huey Lewis and the News hits “The Power of Love” and “Back in Time.”  But a few minutes of score was not quite enough, and for years, collectors of film music and fans of the movie pined for a release of the complete score. The 2009 Intrada release reconciled that and this new release keeps this important score in print. 

Original soundtrack by Alan Silvestri from wildly popular 1985 sci-fi action comedy, directed by Alan Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover. Intrada previously released a special 2-CD version of the legendary soundtrack in 2009, with a second CD featuring early unused versions of Silvestri’s score. Due to the incredible popularity of that original release (which sold the maximum number of units allowable under license and is now out-of-print), Intrada is proud to offer, in cooperation with Universal Pictures, a follow-up release containing just the contents of the first disc in that set, which features the score as heard in the film. (Owners of the original 2-CD set need not apply.) The 1985 soundtrack on MCA emphasized the familiar songs and devoted just two tracks to Silvestri’s score. Intrada’s 2008 release was the actual premiere release of Silvestri’s invaluable contribution to this movie’s stunning success. In fact, the film and score remain so popular that Silvestri’s music can currently be heard live in concert, played by major symphony orchestras, synchronized to screenings of the film itself. Thrilling major-key main theme for massive orchestra has become a veritable signature of classic 80’s scoring. Pulsating action music is keynote throughout but impressive – and lengthy – “It’s Been Educational; Clocktower” sequence is an almost unparalleled example of dynamic action writing. There are moments of genuine tenderness, especially during several warm string ideas associated with the friendship between Doc and Marty, and even a couple of crisp jazz numbers, but no matter where things go, Silvestri’s riveting action theme is always close by. Universal is now enjoying a high profile celebration of the famous picture’s 30th anniversary. Intrada is proud to be a part of that celebration! Alan Silvestri conducts.