I think the question that everyone's asking here is: "which do I buy? The traditional soundtrack release, or this very tempting `Ultimate Edition'?" I had already bought the original before discovering that there was a double-disc release, too, so I am in the position of having both and being able to examine the differences between them.
The original 1-disc version is amazing: by now, every fan of Williams' "Star Wars" music should know about the choral masterpiece `Duel of the Fates', and the subtle but emotional `Anakin's Theme'. What they don't know about is `The Arrival on Coruscant', `The Droid Battle', `The Chosen One' and `The Queen's Protectors'.
But, to fully appreciate the world that John Williams has created, I think it's essential to hear the score in its entirety. That's why I bought this set even though I had the earlier version already: it's so rare these days to be able to hear the complete score to a film, and in some cases you don't want to, but Williams is just such a genius.
He takes one through such a variety of sounds, emotions and experiences: from the tense failed negotiations on the Federation ship to the brief but brutal battle with the destroyer droids. From Jar Jar's clumsy, plodding theme and the ethereal otherworld of the Gungans' underwater city, to the militaristic, march-like invasion of Naboo.
I'll admit, some of the local music on Tatooine is a bit repetitive and superfluous at times, but I suppose it's meant to be primitive: `Cantina Band' and `Jedi Rocks' is, after all, the peak of that society's musical development! Sprinklings of `Anakin's Theme' are introduced as Anakin appears and starts planning to enter the pod-race.
The build-up to the pod-race is good, but it's a pity that the wonderful fanfare of `The Flag Parade' is so much shorter on this CD (Williams' whole composition is on the 1-disc edition). After Anakin wins the pod-race, we are treated to some triumphant music, followed by his emotional and life-changing separation from his mother.
`Anakin is Free' includes a tender woodwind section that speaks to the dilemma of a young boy wanting to achieve great things, but having to give up his family and home to do it. As we all know, the galaxy will never be the same because of it, and so his decision is punctuated by a grand, stirring rendition of the `Star Wars' theme.
Worthy of mention is that Qui-Gon also has a theme, completely absent from the original soundtrack, but noticeable in several places on this set. Another excellent device here is the Emperor's Theme, which haunts the edges of the music, giving the impression of a real `Phantom Menace' lurking in the background, waiting to strike.
Again, the music accompanying all of the political back-and-forth is quite dull, with a few exceptions, however it's well worth it when the final battle begins, and we are treated to several variations on the `Duel of the Fates'. `The Tide Turns' is, in my opinion, the best track on this 2-CD set and almost worth the price just by itself.
`The Parade' is a weird and wonderful mix of the strange musical style of the Gungans together with children scatting and laughing, harking back to the way in which the original saga ended with the party in the Ewoks' tree houses. My only complaint would be the `running-on' of the tracks, but otherwise a brilliant set!