User:Loadmaster/Proposed articles/Star Trek music
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- This article lists the major leitmotifs used in Star Trek (TOS).
- It is modeled after the Star Wars music article.
The music of the original television series of Star Trek consists of the scores written for all three seasons between 1965 and 1968 by a total of eight composers: Alexander Courage, George Duning, Jerry Fielding, Gerald Fried, Sol Kaplan, Samuel Matlovsky, Joseph Mullendore, and Fred Steiner. All of the composers conducted their own music. Of these composers, Steiner composed original music for the largest number of episodes totalling eleven.
For budgetary reasons, this series made significant use of "tracked" music, or music written for other episodes that was re-used in later episodes. Of the 79 episodes that were broadcast, only 31 had complete or partial original dramatic underscores created specifically for them; the remainder of music in any episode was tracked from a different episode. It was primarily the decision of Robert H. Justman, credited as Associate Producer during the first two seasons, as to which episodes would have new music.
Some of the themes used are now widely recognized among television audiences, having infiltrated western culture over the last few decades primarily through constant syndicated airplay on cable TV stations.
Principal leitmotifs[edit]
- Main Theme (all episodes). Alexander Courage (1966). .
- Originally scored under the title Where No Man Has Gone Before. The main title theme for the series easily its most recognizable melody, the main theme is usually associated with the starship USS Enterprise. It is usually heard after commercial breaks, typically accompanying a shot of the starship orbiting a planet. A short instrumental arrangement of the theme composed by Fred Steiner is also heard at the end of many episodes. Since the original TV series, this theme has become immediately recognizable, even by many people who have never seen the program. Portions of it have been used in subsequent Star Trek series and motion pictures.
- Fight Theme (Amok Time). Gerald Fried (date?). . Heard during most hand-to-hand combat scenes, typically involving a conflict between Kirk and one or more aliens. One of the more recognizable themes, it was featured in the 19xx film The Cable Guy as parody. Performed by multi-piece orchestra, it features parts played on brass, percussion, tambourine, and bass guitar.
- Ritual Theme (Amok Time). Gerald Fried (date?). . A slower, less intense variation of the Fight theme, this is generally heard whenever characters march by as during the wedding precession in Amok Time, or in a ritualistic duty as during the feeding of Val in The Apple. Performed by multi-piece orchestra, it features parts played on clarinet, percussion, tambourine, and bass guitar.
- Danger Theme (The Doomsday Machine). . Heard when imminent danger or catastrophe is about to occur, perhaps the most memorable being during the appearance of the doomsday machine. Performed by multi-piece orchestra, it features parts played on brass and percussion.
- Spiraling Theme (The Naked Time). . Heard when imminent danger is about to occur or when some force or incredible power is transpiring. Performed by multi-piece orchestra, it features parts played on brass.
File:Trek-Spiraling-Theme-1.png
- Spock's Theme (Amok Time). . The theme for Mr. Spock, usually heard when he is dealing with strong emotions or concentrating on a difficult task. A slow, plaintive motif, it is played on an electic bass guitar with reverb and alternating to a mourning cello.
- Empire Theme. . The theme for the Klingons and other militant races, suggesting power and force.
- Love Theme. . Generally heard whenever a female love interest for Kirk (or Spock) appears. A slow, romantic piece, the melody of the first stanza is played by a flute, and the more mournful bridge is played by a violin, recapitulating again to the main theme on flute.
- Ancients Theme. . Typically heard when a character describes history and events that occurred thousands of years ago. A soft piece, both triumphant and sad, evoking feelings of heroic glory in ancient days, such as when Apollo is relating the tale of the ancient Greek gods in Who Mourns for Adonais?. Performed by solo trumpet accompanied by harp.
File:Trek-Ancients-Theme-1.png
etc.
Minor leitmotifs[edit]
- Scotty's Theme. (By Any Other Name) . Mr. Scott's scottish motif, generally heard when he is doing something humorous yet true to his Scottish heritage.
- Finnegan's Theme. (Shore Leave) . Accompanies the character of Finnegan, an upperclassman who taunted Kirk during his time as an underclassman at the Academy.
File:Trek-Finnegan-Theme-1.png
- Paradise Theme (The Paradise Syndrome). . Featured during idyllic scenes, this motif was featured Mirimani's theme. Played by INCOMPLETE.
File:Trek-Paradise-Theme-1.png
etc.
External links[edit]
- Original soundtracks album list at Memory Alpha