Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Jerry Goldsmith)

(1979)

The TV series of Star Trek had been cancelled by NBC in 1970, and many fans of the show were left in despair.  The 1979 film which brought back the original cast was a huge risk for Paramount, not only in terms of production problems, but in terms of competing with George Lucas’ Star Wars far more successful Star Wars franchise.  Whilst the film was not a huge success, it was successful enough to warrant a more successful sequel with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  One of the elements of Star Trek: The Motion Picture that has never failed to disappoint however, is Jerry Goldsmith’s magnificent and historically significant score.  “Classic” is a word that is thrown around far too lightly in reviews these days, but of the few film scores that deserve that title, this is undoubtedly one of them.

Goldsmith wrote three main themes for the film, and each of them is introduced in the first three tracks on the album and in the first three scenes of the film.  The first is the lovely, floating theme for the character of Ilia, and also serves as the film’s overture.  The second is the most famous, which is of course the classic Star Trek theme, easily one of the greatest and most memorable themes ever written for film.  Finally is the horn prominent “Klingon Battle” march, which also introduces the famous “blaster beam” sound.

The primary theme crops up several times throughout the score, but it’s probably best heard in the music that accompanies the scene where the crew of the Enterprise make their way to the ship, where the theme is performed with the deepest emotional depth.  It’s a particularly well-constructed piece that gives a life to a scene that would otherwise be pretty boring, and is easily the best track on the album.

The “blaster beam” is used as a leitmotif for the character of Vejur, and crops up several times later in the score, with notable occurrences being “The Cloud” and “The Force Field”.  As the score gets closer to its climax, during such tracks as “Spock Walk”, “Inner Workings”, and “Vejur Speaks”, Goldsmith introduces more synthetic effects into the score to achieve the increasing sense of worship.  “The Meld” then bursts forth with an operatic, incredible powerful piece.  “A Good Start” features a sweeping performance of the main theme in its second half, whilst the “End Title” reprises the piece in its best known march form for the album’s conclusion.

The original release of the score was far from complete, and Sony’s 1999 release of the expanded score was welcomed enthusiastically by fans of the score.  The price is unfortunately doubled by the fact that they chose to include “bonus” interviews with various members of the film’s cast and crew.  Make no mistake about it though – it’s still worth it.  Of all Jerry Goldsmith’s phenomenal achievements in his illustrious career, this is arguably the greatest of them all, and is an essential album in the collection of any film music fan.

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Track Listing

Disc 1

1. Ilia’s Theme (03:01)
2. Main Title (01:23)
3. Klingon Battle (05:27)
4. Total Logic (03:44)
5. Floating Office (01:03)
6. The Enterprise (05:59)
7. Leaving Drydock (03:29)
8. Spock’s Arrival (01:58)
9. The Cloud (04:58)
10. Vejur Flyover (04:57)
11. The Force Field (05:03)
12. Games (03:41)
13. Spock Walk (04:19)
14. Inner Workings (03:01)
15. Vejur Speaks (03:50)
16. The Meld (03:09)
17. A Good Start (02:26)
18. End Title (03:16)

Disc 2

1. Star Trek Theme (01:34)
2. Introduction: Nichelle Nichols (01:13)
3. Inside Star Trek (01:04)
4. William Shatner Meets Captain Kirk (09:12)
5. Introduction To Live Show (00:25)
6. About Science Fiction (00:40)
7. The Origin Of Spock (01:45)
8. Sarek’s Son Spock (07:21)
9. The Questor Affair (03:49)
10. The Genesis II Pilot (02:34)
11. Cyborg Tools And E.T. Life Forms (04:06)
12. McCoy’s RX For Life (06:14)
13. The Star Trek Philosophy (04:40)
14. Asimov’s World Of Science Fiction (06:27)
15. The Enterprise Runs Around (01:50)
16. A Letter From A Network Censor (05:03)
17. The Star Trek Dream (Ballad I/Ballad II) (05:43)
18. Sign Off: Nichelle Nichols (00:50)

Total Duration: 02:09:14

Credits

Music Composed & Produced by Jerry Goldsmith

Orchestrations by Arthur Morton, Alexander Courage & Fred Steiner

Conducted by Jerry Goldsmith & Lionel Newman

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Score (nominated)

Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score (nominated)

Insert Notes

Contains notes about the film and the score.

All images and artwork are Copyright © Sony Music Entertainment