STAR TREK: THE ASTRAL SYMPHONY

JERRY GOLDSMITH, JAMES HORNER and LEONARD ROSENMAN

Rating:

Original Review: There have been eight Star Trek movies made to date and this compilation, released in 1991 to commemorate the cult TV series' 25th Anniversary, contains music from the first five: musically, the best of them all. The majority of the music was written by Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner, and contain extracts from their best works. The first track is arguably the best: Goldsmith's now legendary Main Titles from Star Trek: The Next Generation, a full-bodied fanfare which is presented here in a version containing the wonderfully dramatic Klingon theme as the track 'Life is a Dream' from Star Trek V. Other highlights include James Horner's exceptional themes from Star Trek II and III, especially the inspiring 'Enterprise Clears Moorings' and the epic 'Battle in the Mutara Nebula', as well as some lesser known themes, including the lyrical, magical 'Ilia's Theme' from Star Trek The Motion Picture; and three incredible, spiritually uplifting tracks, two of which are based on James Horner's marvellous Vulcan theme: 'The Meld', 'Returning to Vulcan' and 'The Katra Ritual'. The only negative point of the album is the music from Star Trek IV. For whatever reason, I cannot bring myself to like Leonard Rosenman's composition - despite the fact that it was Oscar nominated in 1986. It's probably because it's so different to the other four, with a much more comedic feel - like the mock Russian march in 'Chekov's Run' and the jokey 'Hospital Chase'. I suppose his End Credits are passable, but when they are compared to the elegance, grace, grandeur and power of the music composed by Goldsmith and Horner there is just no comparison. And its also why the album only gets four stars rather than five.

Track Listing: Running Time: 72 minutes 06 seconds

Milan 262-832 (1991)

Music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier composed, conducted and produced by Jerry Goldsmith. Music from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock composed, conducted and produced by James Horner. Music from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home composed, conducted and produced by Leonard Rosenman. Music from the Star Trek TV series composed by Alexander Courage. Album compilation produced by Cliff Eidelman.


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