Symphonic Suites from Star Trek

Comment: This music WAS used in STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES. There is a little confusion with respect to that point in the info printed inside the CD package where it is stated that this music "for one reason or another was never used." The outside back cover states that it "was never used in its entirety." Big difference. It's just that the three suites here have been assembled from ALL of the music composed for these specific episodes, so they include music which was cut from the finished product(s). The sessions were, from what I understand from the insert, supervised by the composers themselves.

These are the three episodes:

1. "Is There No Truth In Beauty?" - (The Enterprise transports the Medusan ambassador, one sight of whom will drive one insane!) The music, by George Duning (composer of PICNIC), is melancholy and romantic. His orchestra is joined by an organ and it gets a LOT of attention. There are no complete quotes of the series theme, only a few allusions. (19:58)

2. "The Conscience of the King" - (Is a Shakespearean actor actually a mass murderer known as "Kodos the Executioner" who has long been believed dead?) This suite, by veteran TV composer Joseph Mullendore (THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) begins with a quick quote of the Trek Theme and segues into an absolutely entrancing melody reminiscent of "If Ever I Would Leave You" from CAMELOT! The whole thing is gentle on the ears and not sci-fi in any way. This episode was remarkable for other musical reasons, too, although not evident in the suite here. First, a dance band at a cocktail party plays (believe it or not) the Trek Theme (!) as Kirk and Lenore chat. Also, Uhura sings. (8:43)

3. "Spectre of the Gun" - (As punishment for trespassing in their Space, the Melkotians punish Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scott and Chekov by condemning them all into a surreal reenactment of the Gunfight at the OK Corral.) This suite by Jerry Fielding (who also did "The Trouble with Tribbles") is the most difficult listening on this disc as it meanders around and is definitely "soundtrack music". It does, however, have points of relative excitement - and more quotes of the ST Theme. Fitting the setting, one hears harmonium, harmonica and echoey "saloon" piano. (15:15)

My copy was issued by LaserLight Soundtracks in 1998.

Comment: Only the most avid STAR TREK fan will consider this disc a collectors item. Some of the music recorded here never made it as soundtracks for the episodes represented. Back in 1985 or about,
someone got the the idea to do and record suites for a few of the original more memorable shows. The strength of what is recorded here is credited to the composers ability to interweave themes for each collective suite. They are symphonic indeed! The first suite (approx 20min.) evokes Ravel or Debussy with it's sweeping impressionistic themes. To the composer's credit only brief interjections of electronic organ are used. The second (only about 9min.)represents one of many of Kirk's romances. Upon listening you'll conjure up images of Marilyn Monroe being pursued by whatever leading man. In the third(approx. 15min.) you get a 23rd century wild west influence right out of the Charles Ives school. There is considerable tension in the orchestration, with clever distortion of harmonica and saloon honky tonk type themes.
All three suites utilize the familar Enterprise fanfare for comfort. You will have to view the original episodes to really see how all this music would have fit in. Add a star if you think its worth the effort. The recording features overblown 24Bit mastering. Watch your sound levels!

Comment: The problem with television scores is that, in addition to a general dearth of interesting material, the individual cues end up being far too short for real development or to produce a meaningful listening experience when separated from the original program.

"Star Trek" fortunately tends to have sufficiently interesting material but, like any other series, its cues are often too short, thus making some of the oringal material available from GNP Crescendo records somewhat awkward on CD.

Here the material from each of the episodes' fine scores is woven together to create more of a portrait of an episode than a collection of individual short pieces. The transition to suite form is tasteful and effective, probably as good a presentation of the original material as possible.

The only problem is that the quality of the reorchestration with this remake is often a little disappointing; there are no blatant missteps, but a few of the cues representing exterior shots of the Enterprise come across as too cheery and even silly, a fault not present in the original recording.

The holy grail for score fans is an original recording that forms an effective and cohesive listening experience. As this seems to be impossible given the way the original Star Trek scores were written, this CD as as fine a presentation as an audience can hope for.