Star Trek Music

J.J. Abrams says this score "holds its own against now-classic works from the likes of Courage, Horner and Goldsmith." Not really. The main theme here is also used as a phrase in the original theme. That's about as good as it gets. Even the original theme here sounds as tinny as the original. Couldn't this have been updated by now?

The best track is "Labor of Love". The main theme is forgettable. The movie's great, the soundtrack isn't.

My biggest complaint with this soundtrack offering is that small sections of the score first show up in the music earlier in the movie than they do in the soundtrack. For example, the sad section at the start of "That New Car Smell" is first heard when Sarek is talking with Spock in the transporter room, and the theme at the start of "Enterprising Young Men" is introduced after the escape from the Kelvin, which would be immediately after "Labor of Love".

However, these are small details, and it is typical for a soundtrack release to not follow the movie soundtrack exactly. Overall, the soundtrack is very well done. The use of the themes from the original series is a very nice touch, and in general the soundtrack evokes the emotions of bold adventure that the movie brought back to the franchise.

Overall, this is a very good soundtrack, and I highly recommend it.

I enjoyed this soundtrack immensely -- perhaps more than any Trek film score since Jerry Goldsmith's classic score for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. I would probably have ranked James Horner's scores for Trek II and Trek III higher, except that his 1980s scores sound virtually the same, no matter what movie they're for.

I generally don't write definite reviews right after I have heard a score - only when it's obvious on first listen that a score missed completely or excells greatly.
And Michael Giacchino's Star Trek took me when two weeks had passed after I purchased it.

I will not even start commenting on heritage, on legacy, or on bars that have been set, since it would obviously be futile. Chronologically, Star Trek takes place before Star Trek The Motion Picture, even before the original TV series, so quite understandably, familiar themes are not to be heard - they simply don't exist at that point.
Giacchino's decision to not use Goldsmith's immortal Motion Picture theme was indeed a bold move, but both a logical, and correct one.
You must remember that the movie is starting an alternative timeline of the Star Trek universe.

But this doesn't mean he wasn't bound to any rules; there are themes that Star Trek music needs to encapsule. Awe, the noble spirit of exploring the unknown, a romantic sense of discovery, and not least of all an unashamed exposure of heroism.
Giacchino managed to squeeze all of that into his Enterprise theme, fully heard in "Enterprising Young Men". He did what very very few notable composers nowadays do: his theme is not a single line, it has parts and B-phrases that are being used all over the place, and that flavour the score with a very distinct overall style, not dissimilar to the way James Horner did Wrath Of Khan.

Michael Giacchino has been criticised for not developing his main theme in the movie. While that is true to an extent, I doubt it would bother any listener, especially since the theme occurs in many different disguises. Also, Goldsmith's First Contact main theme is rightfully considered a masterpiece by many - and where is the development in that theme?
Speaking of themes, there are two other notable ones, the music for Spock and the Vulcans, and Nero's brass- heavy motif. Here too Giacchino is criticised for essentially reusing Goldsmith's Romulan music from Star Trek X. Have you ever heard of cultural continuity?

Tracks 12, 13, 14, and 15 are perfectly able to give you chills, especially the end credits piece. Some say the original series' theme is woefully out of place. Well, *I* say you couldn't be more wrong. The moment when Giacchino counterpoints his Star Trek theme with the original one should bring tears of joy on any fan's face, for it is pure genius.

With all the praise, you should not expect an "old school" kind of score, even though this Star Trek sounds as fresh as nothing this summer. This is not a score that only serves the film, or a score that pleases the superficial listener with a load of power anthems. It is a musically skillful work, true to the Star Trek idea, and stands head to shoulder above anything this summer.
From the moment you hear the first strains of "Star Trek", you know you are at the right place, in good hands!

My wish is that for many Star Trek films to come, Giacchino is allowed to boldly go ...!

The music to me has an odd sense of nostalgia to it, like deja vu, as though I've heard the EXACT same theme music from it in another Star Trek or even science fiction thing. I don't just mean the generic "instruments sound the same" or "soul sounds the same" I mean the EXACT same sound.

Doesn't matter, because I feel like the music fits perfectly with the film---a totally new thing sprung from something you've known all your life. The main theme sounds exactly like a Star Trek theme, and yet it's completely new. Nero's theme sounds like a classic old Sci-Fi 50s-60s villain's theme, while not being kitschy or cliche' in the least.


The only thing I could kill over in anger is the STUUUUUPID TITLES.


At what point does a soundtrack maker decide it's a GOOD idea to call a serious, tense, song "Nero Death Experience"? GET IT?! IT'S A PUN ON "NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE" HAW HAW kill me. Or someone.

The worst song titles ever must be on this soundtrack.

"Nero Fiddles, Narada Burns". Lolwut? I don't remember Nero ever 'fiddling' while his ship burned.
"Does it Still McFly?".... WHAT... See, even though I don't like and haven't ever seen more than one "Back to the Future", I still get that reference, and it STILL pisses me off. It doesn't make any damn sense, either.
"Nice to Meld You" Another stupid pun that is completely nonsensical to the track in question or its placement in the film.
"That New Car Smell". Allow me to be a snarky jackass in saying 'What car, where?' This track ain't "Sabotage", so it can't be that.
"Hella Bar Talk" That sort of title is the sort to make people want to kill other people. Specifically people who use the word "hella" on anything other than a remote basis.


So there. I say you're better off renaming the tracks yourself to something less cretin-ish. Maybe things like "Track 1" and "Track 2" and "Track 3". Those are more tolerable.

Some of the themes are originally from the TV shows but I specifically bought this CD because other reviewers claimed that it had the original theme from The Love Boat. If that is the theme you're looking for, don't bother getting this CD.

I use these for comedy shows and the memories people get when they hear the old faves before the show, put them in a great mood for comedy.

Wow! This is such a comprehensive list of TV songs. My husband and I have had so much fun listening and singing along while the kids laugh and sometimes roll their eyes!!

We have enjoyed all of these theme songs. The cd has many theme show songs to listen to.

Those reviews complaining that the tv themes are too short are correct, but most are the original recordings like heard from the shows themselves. If you are looking for or want the full version of these songs, look elsewhere, or maybe try iTunes. Some might be/maybe outdated, so take what you can get at this point in time. Don't worry, be happy!

If you love movie music and movie scores, the CD collection is for you! It is a wonderful collection of both dramatic and relaxing movie music. I could listen to it over and over again - AND I DO!

This is a great CD for movie themes. I really enjoy it as it has a lot of movie themes uou can't find anymore.

Wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed all 4 discs. You feel, hear and appreciate the full & powerful sounds and the musical clarity and quality ... just like being in the movie theatre...It's a huge compilation of great and memorable music!

I absolutely love this collection. It certainly matches its title. I use some of the music in workshops for movement and everyone has a great time moving through Goldfinger, Indiana Jones, Pink Panther, and the Stormtroopers! Hearing the Titanic hit the ice is bone chilling. It's a great compilation. Thank you!

you would have to buy dozens of individual soundtracks to include even some of the music here. slight adjustment to john williams (for example) originals but well performed. outstanding variety. use these cds to jump start your day with triumph!

Trekkies and Trekkers alike will enjoy this compilation by various Artists on the vast range of "Star Trek" themes and soundtracks without disappointment. Wonderful full fidelic notes bounce, ping and resound from one speaker to another as the images and memories of the various "Star Trek" shows and movies experiences course through one's mind, recalling the thrill and appreciation of "Gene Roddenberry" and his talented team of protege's extremely creative imaginations that launched the SciFi world into a mainstream genre... GBJ

I have to admit right off the bat that I don't own this album, although I've been trying to scrape up all the original soundtracks for the movies and some of the TV series. But looking through the track listing, it seems muddled with too many sound effects and tracks that could've been replaced with better ones. I wish Paramount and the recording industries would release a 2-CD set of tracks that includes only the main title sequences of each Star Trek TV series and standout tracks from the 10 feature films, since most of these soundtracks have gone out of print and are hard to find. Most of these compilations of different film tracks never include the main title sequences of the films, which are often the standout orchestral tracks of each movie. I hope they release an album like this, filled with only the best Trek music that is hard to find.

This 2 disc set of Star Trek music is great for any Star Trek fan or even fans of instrumental music.

I bought this soundtrack and I love it.A great edition to the star trek fans.

Silva Screen Records has made a name for itself releasing reproductions of modern orchestral soundtracks, with most of its products centering around a particular genre or composer. Star Trek has a history of quality music, so its no suprise Silva has taken a crack at music in the final frontier. This is a fine release, with some strong points and some weak ones as well.

IN GENERAL: For the purist looking for a "best of" compilation taken from the original soundtracks take note: this isn't that product. Rather, these are reproductions by Nic Raine conducting the City of Prague Philharmonic. That said, this is a quality group, and the general sound is professional and comes off quite well (for the most part..I'll mention a few exceptions). It is superior to the other releases I have heard from the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

SELECTION: The biggest advantage here is variety of sources. The Trek feature films are all represented here, as well as the various series (except for the last one, "Enterprise"). The thouroughness seems to match or excel the oher Star Trek Compilation CDs that have been released. There are a few other offbeat additions..notably a four minute suite from the videogame Star Fleet Academy. Personally, I found this bland track to be four minutes of wasted disk space. The original series has many memorable moments (listen to the Amok Time/The Doomsday Machine soundtrack) which would be be more exciting and also a better fit on this album.

Jerry Goldsmith's standard Star Trek March is heard far too often on these 2 CDs. The march itself is terrific, but it has been used so much it has become the franchise's major theme and the album's producers rely on it by representing many movies by their "End Titles". Unfortunately, Goldsmith's end titles consistently use a three-section approach: two sections of the "standard" Star Trek March sandwich a middle section of music that is unique for that particular film. This is OK if you are listening to a single movie's soundtrack, but for a compilation album, the fourth or fifth time you hear the march, it is too much. It would have been a better idea to cut a few "End Title" performances in favor of other selections from the films' soundtracks.

PERFORMANCE QUALITY: For the most part it is very good and captures the spirit of the original soundtracks. Selections from Horner's scores for the second and third films stand out as particularly well done. The last movie, "Nemesis" also has a terrifically arranged suite, and most of the movie soundtrack reproductions are very good quality. The only exception is from "Klingon Attack" in which the awesome bass of the "blaster-beam" from the original cannot be matched by the comparatively hollow synthesized atempt here.

PERSONAL GRIPE: the inclusion of sound effects. Every so often a special effect like "Warp Drive" or "Dogfight in Space" pops up between tracks. This by itself would be extremely cheesy. Add to this that these are not the actual sound effects from the TV shows or movies and the cheesiness levels reach a level I think only a Wisconsin resident could appreciate. Sci Fi music (and Star Trek in particular) seems to inspire some labels to add special effects inclusions like this. Who knows why.

Thank you for sending this--excellent recording. Great music, and enjoyed by all generations in our family...from 19 yrs.....to 90 yrs....We all have enjoyed it so much.....Thank you...

The Star Trek movies were on a winning streak in the 1980's, but that winning streak ended in 1989 with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The film was a critical and commercial failure. An old Mad Magazine joked around that the credit 'Directed by Bill Shatner' didn't leave the 80's!The Star Trek movies started picking up the slack with 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and 1994's Star Trek Generations. Still, the late Jerry Goldsmith wrote some stellar music for Star Trek V. The only track that hasn't aged well is a cheesy 80's pop version of 'A Moon's A Window to Heaven'. The alternate version of the song in the movie is more subtle. For a mere $7, one can own this CD.

Star Trek V the final frontier (1989) has a wonderful soundtrack! The music is produced by Jerry Goldsmith! Jerry Goldsmith did the music for Star Trek the motion picture(1979)! I recommend this soundtrack CD because it is very good. Star Trek V is very under rated and the soundtrack is is also under rated! Please give this Star Trek V CD a chance! It is better than you think! A+ I highly recommend it!

When I saw Star Trek 5 upon it's initial release in '89,
I saw three different stories attempting to be force-sealed into one:

Sybok's spiritual as well as physical search for God and Sha-Ka-Ree.
Spock's discovery of his long-lost half-brother, Sybock.
Kirk's attitudes towards death, and towards spiritual-healing "tricks".
["Faith-Healers" have never impressed me to begin with.
Give Kirk an "ATTA-BOY!" on that one!]!

[Somebody, in response to Kirk's cry of
"I don't WANT my pain taken away - I NEED my pain!
once made this interesting comment:

"No 'New-Age Easy Answers for Kirk, thank you!'"
I liked that. I'm no fan of New Age thinking myself.]

The new Enterprise-A being full of malfunctions, I felt, detracted from the story, for, in the end, the ship rose to the occasion, and carried crew and guests into danger and back as well as her predecessor had always done.

Roddenberry is said to have deeply felt this film was very apochryphal, and should not be regarded as official Star Trek "canon".

Having said all that, I was deeply moved by Goldsmith's fine compostion
"The Mountain". This piece of music, for me, stands very well
all alone in it's own right, in additon to being a part of this soundtrack.

When I and my wife have vacationed in Oregon, I played this music on our car stereo during one of our drives around Mount Hood, our favourite mountain in all the world. For me, especially, "The Mountain" has become my personal love song to the Pacific Northwest that we love so much.

"The Mountain" raises images and notions of new possiblities, as another reviewer of this CD noted, and it also captures, for me, the great majesty and great splendor that is the American Pacific Northwest.

I was very honored to see this great part of our country finally represented - albeit briefly - in a Star Trek production.

"The Mountain" is a piece of music that could - and should - have been used again in other Star Trek productions which followed ST5.

Goldsmith also brings new fresh excitement to the action sequences and his updated version of the Star Trek - The Motion Picture theme.
Here, the theme is more of an uplifting march.

While "The Mountain" is, for me personally, the highest point of this CD,
the entire collection here rises well above the film itself, and is the movie's saving grace.

By this CD - and go climb a mountain!

to Jerry Goldsmith's orchestral score for STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER, the more I've grown to appreciate this marvelous thematic score which had the great misfortune to be attached to one of the weakest of the Original Series films (right behind ST: TMP).

Yet, this score stands out for a couple of my favorite cues. First, there's the beautiful and awe-inspiring "The Mountain" which opens the film. With its richly orchestrated strings and mellow brass notes, this song never fails to give me goosebumps every time I hear it. The effect is further enhanced if you're listening to it when you're driving through a hilly countryside or walking through a forest.

My second favorite cue is "A Busy Man". This cue also hits just the right notes of delight and awe as you listen, and it's interesting to note that this theme is echoed in Goldsmith's score for STAR TREK: NEMESIS. I was also pleasantly surprised and delighted to hear the theme for the Klingons (which I first heard in ST:TMP) reprised once more in the closing credits theme.

Once again, Jerry Goldsmith managed to raise the quality of a somewhat lackluster film (William Shatner's questionable "directing" talent notwithstanding) with a score that's powerful, rousing and filled with the kind of delightful and awe-inspiring music we came to expect from the Maestro.

I must confess that a good soundtrack sometimes can be equated to a good symphony from the 17th or 18th century. This one truly is one of those. Everytime you listen it feels like another melody you haven't noticed during your last listen is being unveiled.

Goldsmith was truly a "composer" in the highest order. I am certain that this music will be just as well liked and enjoyed a few hundred years from now!

The new Star Trek movie (excellent!) reminded me of the music in the old ST movies, so I bought this CD. Any fan of the original movies will enjoy listening to this, as pieces compiled will remind you of Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock, and the Voyage Home, the best three films in that series. The music is taken from the first Motion Picture and runs through #5, with most of it pulled from the three movies listed.

My only complaint, and the reason this did not get five stars from me, is not including the wonderfully evil music from ST, the Motion Picture, wherein V'Ger is attacking the Klingon birds of prey at the start of the movie. There is a truncated version of it included in the first selection on the CD, but the original sound effects were replaced with really odd noises and that ruined the entire piece for me. Even after not seeing this movie for many years, I could still remember that particular piece of music, it was so powerful, and to not include that on this CD in its entirety was a travesty.

Otherwise, the music is great and well worth owning.

I'm an original trekkie from the tv series, but I preferred the first five movies more, with the original cast. I always thought the music was inspiring and beautiful. This cd has terrific versions of those first five movies. I don't enjoy the later movies as much, so I was pleased to find this cd which concentrates on my favorite Star Trek films.

If you've got all of the movie soundtracks (like I do), then don't bother with this one, because it's just picking the highlights from the first 6 movies.

This cd truly marks the best of Star Trek for it has selections from the all the great Star Trek scores (I thru V). Horner, Goldsmith and Rosenman all had great compositions and they are all represented here. One can argue that for the most part, the best pieces from each of those five movies are included. The only exception I think exists is with Star Trek III, where "Stealing the Enterprise" was for some reason left off.
My favorites on this cd are: "Geneis Countdown, Hospital Chase, Battle of Mutara Nebula, and Prologue and Main Title." This cd is great though for making new fans of Star Trek music. It was a tape of similar music that got me interested. I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to have a collection of great music.

The music on this CD does not seem to be the same music I've heard in the movies. It's on the flat and tinny side and missing that big screen sound: crisp highs and stomach-rumbling lows. The quality is more like what you would hear on a mediocre AM radio station instead of a good FM station.

The case is beautiful though: really well done artwork and layout.

Star Trek is great but I wish I had purchased a different CD for the music.

The music in this collection is so beautiful. It's great listening even if you are not acquainted with all the themes. It is the best for those who are fans.

This is a great CD, even if it is outdated (no theme from First Contact, Insurrection or Nemesis.) But this CD is great. The sound effects are annoying, that much we can all agree on, but for those bashing the concert arrangement of the Original Series theme...this is the arrangement by Alexander Courage himself arranged for concert, its performed the same way by John Williams and the Boston Pops on the CD "Out of This World" among other Williams/BPO compilations. I would rank this CD below Silva's "The Star Trek Album" and Varese's "The Ultimate Star Trek", but above Naxos "Star Trek" album. Though, a Star Trek fan should have all of them! and even if your not a star trek fan, this is a good sampler at a cheap price. People selling this for under $5 with shipping! Thats a bargain. Standouts for me are Star Trek II and Generations. The Generations Overture (End Credits) sounds so much better with a larger symphony like the Cincinatti Pops than the orchestra Dennis McCarthy used for the movie.

I totally agree w/ other reviewers that mention the lame effects. Although I can't find as much fault in the disc as others. The music is just done too well. The pieces sound truly incredible on a great stereo set. I can't say if this is due to the special Telarc recording or not. Most especially wonderful is track 4: End Title from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The energy in the recording is amazing!

Yeah, w/ a full on soundtrack you get more. But this CD really does hit the highlights of the 'classic' Trek movies and some of the TV bits as a bonus.

My only complaint is that the effects are spread through the music and break things up too much. They are kinda cool the first or second time through, but having them all at the end would let me just hit eject rather than wade through them. At least they are separate tracks I can pick them out using my players program mode. Oh, and the 'Borg' bit at the end: yeah, it is quite probably the lamest thing I've ever heard.. ..Sorry guys!

Some reviewers have complained that this CD does not exactly follow the original soundtracks. Well, it's not a soundtrack, it's a symphony performance. If you want a soundtrack, then buy a soundtrack. But, like any "performance of" movie music, This CD is not going to sound exactly like the original. In some places, it sounds even better, especially for the TOS selections, because at the time the TOS music was produced, the recording techniques were not as sophisticated as today. As for the sound effects, they are not intended to be authentic Trek sounds. They're creative uses of orchestral instruments. (I still find myself wondering how they did some of them...) In short, I like this CD for what it is -- a pop performance of some of my favorite music. My only complaint it that it ends with "You will be assimilated." Into what? Trekdom? I would have preferred it to end with Leonard Nimoy saying, "Live long and prosper" -- as the perfect closing "bookend" to his fine narration at the beginning.

Erich Kunzel proves he can't even perform the original music without re-arranging the scores and inserting his own instruments and 'special' sound effects into the music to replace those that couldn't be duplicated. Much of the music on this CD has been altered to the point that it is painful to hear, leaving the listener wondering why they inserted sound effects into an otherwise decent orchestration. I'm not talking about the sound effects between each piece, but during some of the music itself.

The little sound effects that also appear between each song are horrid, loud, annoying and embarrassing. Worse yet they sound NOTHING like anything I've ever heard on any Star Trek episode ever.

The only redeeming track is the "Main Theme from Star Trek", even though again it merely resembles the original. It has been pumped up to sound like a big over done Las Vegas show, and is so cheesy that the entertainment derived from it is purely from mockery and humor.

Bottom line - Erich Kunzel is a big old ham and it shows. Save your cash and get your Trek music from authorized sound tracks. In fact, it DOES say on this CD:

"This recording was not created, approved, etc, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the Star Trek series, etc..."

Enough said.

This was an excellent purchase, and I was very happy with the seller, would buy from again.

Jerry Goldsmith delivers a fantastic score, with music that stands alone as a wonderment of soundscapes.

The juxtaposition of the numbers make for a solid delivery, as each build upon the colors already on the canvas. Main Title/Locutus aptly sets the tone, with The Dish, First Contact and End Credits the best of Goldsmith's entries. A neat bonus is Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride and Roy Orbison's Oooby Dooby.

This rates very highly in the Goldsmith catalog of soundtracks and arguably the finest of his work in the Star Trek franchise.

The opening credits music on the album is the best score written for any star trek film ever. It is heart crushing. I don't remember the rest of the soundtrack but The first track is worth the money!

"First Contact" is far and away the best Star Trek movie, and here, the great Jerry Goldsmith produces a score that does the film justice. I loved the use of "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf when the Phoenix begins its historic voyage. This is a wonderful musical score and if you enjoyed the movie you will want this for your iPod or MP3 player.

The movie Was Matched with a fantastic soundTrack. the Opening Credits track is Incredibly moving.

The music to this film was amazing! I also too a look at the small info booklet inside of the case and found out that the artist who made such a wonderful score had been working on this film score all the way to just a few days before the permier of the movie! His hard work has really come through in this CD!

I have long loved the soundtrack to this movie and have wanted to get a CD copy of it. I decided to download from Amazon instead and was very dissapointed. Instead of saving as two separate discs, the tracks from both discs were mixed (disc 1 track 1, disc 2 track 1, disc 1 track 2, disc 2 track 2, etc.) In addition, because of the track seperations of disc 1, each track ends abruptly and finishes up in the next track on disc 1. It is better than nothing but only barely.

Believe it or not I am new to the Star trek world. I got this one and some other ST movies. I knew about the characters due to the pop culture effect it has had on society. But it took to long to get started and was slow and boring in several parts.

The disc is as advertised but I did not get the holographic slip cover instead I received the slip cover from Star Trek the Motion Picture.
This is a minor disappointment but the music is still the same.
If you purchase this disc you may or may not receive the Holographic Slipcase as advertised.

Best soundtrack of the motion picture. A great edition for any star trek fan. Love the music. Jerry Goldsmith is the best.