Yay, on almost all you’ve said.

I really do hope they use familiar themes from TOS. I remember the scene where Khan does the “buried aliiiiive” speech and Horner definitely used some elements of first season cues during that scene. I remember that making me very happy and tied it all together for me. That’s the smart thing to do….but we don’t always seem to do things like that these days do we?

Random thoughts:

I also never like TMP theme being used for TNG. Cheapened it. Especially since one of the most critical elements of the piece is the pipe organ. TNG’s version did not have the organ, or if it did, I can’t hear it.

I disagree with the idea that the films should not share a common set of musical cues. Like it or not, Star Trek is a series, and the films are basically episodes allowing us to visit with the familiar characters, in new situations. The music cues are an emotional link, arguably as powerful as the visual design of the ship.

For this reason, I never liked the idea of having separate themes for each film. Even TWOK, while enjoyable, disappointed me the moment the fanfare ended, and the new Horner music kicked in. The music was great, but the break in musical continuity was a letdown. This is one of the redeeming features of TFF (of all things). The prologue and segue to the original fanfare against the starfield and reprise of the TMP theme were the film series’ best evocation of the original structure of a TOS episode.

Don’t like Elfman.

Hope Giachinno uses some of Steiner’s cues.

Question: I have read that Goldsmith and Alexander Courage were close collaborators over the years, with Courage orchestrating many of Goldsmith’s scores. A musician friend of mine once said that Courage’s TOS theme (the actual theme, not just the fanfare) is actually found in the structure of Goldsmith’s TMP theme. (Also that Courage was even involved with Goldsmith’s recording of the original TMP theme.) Supposedly, the chord progressions are very similar, but in different times and (march vs. whatever the TOS piece is) structures. I am a “play it by ear” guy, so I am out of my depth. Anybody know what he meant?

1. Star Trek TMP: All that stuff that was done for the v’ger organism was incredible, I loved that part the most. But you cannot skip the fact that it introduced the friggin star trek theme, the most recognizable peace of music ever produced by star trek, and probably good for a top ten list of most recognizable themes.

2. Star Trek TWOK: This was just a solid fun score, nothing surprising, but it was great fun. And, although TMP gets my nod for best soundtrack, the music that is played durring the scene were kirk and kahn battle for the first time, and durring the prepartion for battle in the Mutara Nebula bit, are my favorite peices of music from a sountrack.

3. Star Trek First Contact: This one is so close to being second in my book, all becuase of the opening credits. It is an intensly emotional bit.

4. Star Trek Undiscovered Country: Here, Nicholas Myer dared to ask for something diffrent done with the score. And what he got was a brooding forboding work that was just plain fun. I did not put this one higher on the list because it just didn’t quite have the artistry or finess that First contact did, and wasn’t quite as fun as TWOK.

5. Star Trek Insurection: You can’t go wrong with Jerry Goldsmith, and I would actually put this one on the same level as Undiscoverd country. It is not higher then undiscovered country though because although I absolutly love the baku’s theme (it literally can make me teary eyed) the battle/actions themes are a just a smig pedestrian (only a smig).

6. Star Trek “The Whale Movie”: Okey, so although It’s still a bit far down on my list I actually am quite fond of this movie score in light of movie scores in general. It totally fits the feel of the movie, even though you can’t believe your listening to this music and watching a star trek movie. However you must admit that even without the score, it is the least star trekish of all the movie. You can’t tell that the score durring the hospital scene isn’t just fun to listen too. And what can I say, I like the credits theme too (I am a fan of the Barroque style).

7. Star Trek Nemesis: Although a rehash of some of the First Contact themes, I liked it better then the other movies further down the list.

8. Star Trek V: Another rehash from Goldsmith, although the scene were they pas through teh barrier and see the planet is nice, it really is a rehash.

9. Star Trek Generations: You know, I didn’t find anything really new or “above and beyond” about this score. Even though I have it on my I-pod and I generally listen to the entire album once every two weeks or so, I thought I was a little more cut and paste then some star trek scores have been.

And now for my least favorite score of any star trek movie…..

10. Star Trek The Search For Spock: How’d you guess? Okey so it was the only one left. I’ve never been a fan of anything really done with this score, mostly because it is a total cut and paste from TWOK. and that bit for the scene in which the Enterprise enters Space Dock just didn’t work for me. Blah.

So there you have it my top ten list for star trek film scores. Having looked at the new composer work for Lost, and the Incredibles, I am sure that it will probably kick First contact out of third place, or maybe even TWOK out of second place. However, you can’t kick TMP out of first place. Too many themes and ideas were introduced for the first time in that movie.

I felt the same way. Maybe Goldsmith even felt that way since he made a new theme for Voyager years later.

116

“I hope they will need some of the TOS themes. Some of them, expecially by Fred Steiner, were great!”

I hope they do too. Talk about bridging the gap between audiences. If there’s anything that could co it……..

regarding 83

I felt it cheapened the TMP score by using it on TNG. I never liked that.