Star Trek Music turns FIFTY

[Tallguy]

On this day in 1965 Alexander Courage and a bunch of talented musicians sat down and recorded the first ever music for Star Trek. Well, as someone pointed out, Wilbur Hatch actually recorded his temporary version of Vina’s Dance earlier, so that it could be played on set.

So happy 50th, Mr. Courage. We miss you!

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Hurray! My favorite music in television!

 

[RandyS]

Today was the day they started recording "The Cage"? I may have to give that CD another spin.

 

[doubleohfive]

The best way to celebrate is to listen to LaLaLand Records definitive and amazing Star Trek: The Original Series Soundtrack Collection (Limited Edition) box set, which you can still purchase. Absolutely astouning stuff!

 

[Ssosmcin]

The best way to celebrate is to listen to LaLaLand Records definitive and amazing Star Trek: The Original Series Soundtrack Collection (Limited Edition) box set, which you can still purchase. Absolutely astouning stuff!

Then I've been celebrating pretty much steadily for the last two years...

 

[doubleohfive]

Same.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I played "Elaan of Troyius" today. Favorite cues:

Afterwards: timeless love theme that also got some good play in "Requiem for Methuselah." Nice!

Battle Stations: this is a very cool piece of choreographed drama in the episode. Kirk hits the intercom button and it starts. There's a (great) Horatio Hornblower novel called Beat to Quarters, very like Star Trek at sea, and Steiner's drums in "Battle Stations" appear to be a literal reference to the title of that book. Hornblower's crew was sent to battle stations (General Quarters) by a drummer, where starships have a klaxon.

Battle Music: I don't even know what to say, this piece is so good. It doesn't get any better than this.

Kirk in Command: I love the way this end-of-episode cue starts out with a lonely horn solo to portray Kirk, followed by a blossoming crescendo of Enterprise music to represent the whole ship. It's a satisfying, triumphant ending.

 

[Ssosmcin]

I played "Elaan of Troyius" today. Favorite cues:

Battle Music: I don't even know what to say, this piece is so good. It doesn't get any better than this.

Agreed, this cue is just about the best action scoring of the season and in the top bunch of the series. It's a thing of sheer beauty.

Kirk in Command: I love the way this end-of-episode cue starts out with a lonely horn solo to portray Kirk, followed by a blossoming crescendo of Enterprise music to represent the whole ship. It's a satisfying, triumphant ending.

It's also another of my favorite third season cues, so rousing it is also the perfect capper "All Our Yesterdays" (combined with a "Who Mourns for Adonias?" cue). Fred Steiner really kicked ass this season and his work was tracked a lot, especially toward the end of the run.

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

Happy Anniversary to this first StarTrek music ever made!