In the late 1970s, John Williams suddenly upped his game and started composing a series of film scores that are at least as good as any composed before or since. The most impressive I feel are "Star Wars", "Superman", "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "ET". And for its ability to stand as a solid piece of music away from the screen, I'm inclined to think that "Superman" is the very finest of them all.

Most people know the main Superman theme to some degree, but hearing it on this CD makes one appreciate what a thrilling orchestral march it actually is. The Love Theme is also very impressive, easily matching the passion that Bernard Hermann brought to the "Scene D'Amour" in his soundtrack for "Vertigo".

I have always been haunted by the noble brass theme representing the planet Krypton. I rather suspect that Williams modelled this piece on Richard Wagner's theme for Valhalla in "The Ring", but it is a tribute to Williams's inspiration that I actually find the Krypton theme at least as good as Wagner's.

For me, however, the most impressive track is "The Fortress of Solitude". Shot through with the Krypton theme and using such instruments as harp, celeste and wordless female chorus, the music conveys an astonishing sense of mystery, radiance and ecstasy. It is by far and away the best piece of music by a film composer that I have ever heard.

The original LP contains two tracks which are later omitted from the CD release, namely "Growing Up" and "Lex Luthor's Lair".