Not that it is gonna help any but I thought ST's TOS's general musical direction, if it were still going on today, would be mostly atonal like Elliot Carter and yet still ruggedly American and very dissonant but yet expressionistic. The odds M Giachino knows who Elliot Carter is ? Not too great.
Trek movie music
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I've never been a fan of atonal music. I think something along the lines of John Williams would be awesome -- classical music that fits the action. The atonal TOS track sounded like someone pounding on a piano with a kitten. 
Well, I'm not going to assume I know whether or not Giacchino knows who Carter is; but I think we an safely assume that - thank god - the score will not be an atonal mess. I've never liked atonalism. I can appreciate the value of incorporating dissonance (a major theme in Shostakovich) but atonalism is just... noise. Tonality is what distinguishes music from noise. Take that away and whatever it is you've got left, it isn't interesting.
How would Star Trek's music have progressed post-TOS? Well, looking at Trek under Gene Roddenberry, there was some experimentation with synth but predominantly classical scores. I can't see the music in the series having turned out differently, not being transmuted wallpapered by Berman, yes, but not much more than that.
Now, who would be my dream 'ruggedly American composer' for this film? George Templeton Strong. Yes, he's been dead for over a century, but I love his elegant romanticism. How about someone alive and a reasonable dream, you might reasonably ask? I don't know, Philip Glass would be fun.
I think Bear McCreary would be a good choice for dream composer. He could easily do the soundtrack in the style of the TOS soundtrack and still make it unique in its own way. But I'm willing to see what Giacchino can do.
Michael Giacchino is a good composer, no doubt about that.
But, for a Trek movie, i reckon some of Alan Silvestri's music is Trek worthy, i also think that John Ottmans score from Superman Returns was ok and some of the cues and pieces would make a great trek score.
I was even listening to Steve Jablonski's Transformers score and even some of that would make great Trek music, its a bit of a departure from the Trek sound, but hell, it might work, departures can be shocking at first but you either have to accept it/let it grow on you/ or you like it first off.
Duno though, the music could be traditional or a complete change, who knows...
But, for a Trek movie, i reckon some of Alan Silvestri's music is Trek worthy, i also think that John Ottmans score from Superman Returns was ok and some of the cues and pieces would make a great trek score.
I was even listening to Steve Jablonski's Transformers score and even some of that would make great Trek music, its a bit of a departure from the Trek sound, but hell, it might work, departures can be shocking at first but you either have to accept it/let it grow on you/ or you like it first off.
Duno though, the music could be traditional or a complete change, who knows...
^
I felt that Jablonsky's Transformers score really had only one memorable theme, the swelling brass for the Autobots (the music for their arrival was also good, giving a sense of grandeur to the robots that the film rarely strived for). It's certainly not up to the depth and complexity of Ratatouille or The Incredibles but he wouldn't be a bad choice. Likewise Ottman, whose Returns score I enjoyed (and which effectively incorporated the classic Williams theme).
I felt that Jablonsky's Transformers score really had only one memorable theme, the swelling brass for the Autobots (the music for their arrival was also good, giving a sense of grandeur to the robots that the film rarely strived for). It's certainly not up to the depth and complexity of Ratatouille or The Incredibles but he wouldn't be a bad choice. Likewise Ottman, whose Returns score I enjoyed (and which effectively incorporated the classic Williams theme).
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^ Ha haaa, no way. Thats the exact track i was thinking of. I can see that track being used for such things as the launch of the Enteprise or maybe, when the components are being assembled in earth orbit, and where the choir comes in and the music picks up, a swooping camera move up the hull to reaveal the bridge module being lowered into place. It works if you imagine it listening to the music.
But yeah, that is really the only memorable track, that and Optimus, although, for the scene its used in, the music couldve been more, i duno, just more... something.
However, ive turned on my ipod and the track 'Sam at the lake' is a good piece, its light compared the rest of the album which is fast paced and action orientated, i can see that being used for a walking tour of the ship with some light comedy and few subtle hinst to the fans. Again, it does work.
Who needs big budget movies when you have music and imagination.
But yeah, that is really the only memorable track, that and Optimus, although, for the scene its used in, the music couldve been more, i duno, just more... something.
However, ive turned on my ipod and the track 'Sam at the lake' is a good piece, its light compared the rest of the album which is fast paced and action orientated, i can see that being used for a walking tour of the ship with some light comedy and few subtle hinst to the fans. Again, it does work.
Who needs big budget movies when you have music and imagination.
That would definitely work.
I think the scene itself could have been more something, the music really worked for me. I felt it was undercut a bit with that kid running around making the obvious self-referential dig about Bay's Armageddon, and some of the sillier lines of dialogue the Autobots spout when introduced. But overall, it was the best part of the movie, and both Jablonsky and ILM deserve a lot of credit for that.
True. Sometimes I watch silent films, turn the track off, and put in some CDs. Aelita Queen of Mars and Einstein on the Beach were made for each other.
Oh yeah, certainly, ILM deserve a hell of a lot of credit for getting the scene and its animation perfect. the music worked for the scene, but as a stand alone track, a non transformers fan or anyone who hadnt seen the film, they wouldnt get that 'scene of greatness' vibe by just listening, the music needs the scene and the scene needs the music for them both to work. But as i was trying to say above, as a stand alone track i think it needs a bit kick, its a fine piece, serves its purpous, just needs that little extra boost.
i duno, im rambling now.
Seconded. I'm not a huge collector of TV soundtracks but I do own all three seasons of music from Battlestar Galactica and enjoy every minute. I'd love to hear his take on Trek.
Agreed. There are times and places in any storytelling situation where "atonal" is correct and appropriate. That's every major film score in the past several decades has had some "atonal" bits in it, usually present during moments of extreme "weirdness" or "otherworldly feel" or whatever. But as a PRIMARY musical style... "atonal" is no more appropriate than, say, an "all cowbell" soundtrack or an "all kazoo" soundtrack."
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You assume that a modern day successful composer of movie soundtracks is ignorant of other prominent US composers and music styles? You think he just wandered into JJ's office off the street?
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