What is the definitive Star Trek music theme?

[mythicdove]

As much as I'm nostalgic for the TOS theme, to me it's the majestic TMP/TNG theme that I'm sometimes humming when I think of Star Trek.

For me? It's "the Space the final frontier... these are the voyages..." music they run behind that speech.

 

[Amaris]

I have to go with the original Alexander Courage theme. I agree that having been written for TV, it lacks the granduer that the Goldsmith themes do. I would like to have heard a reworking of Courage's theme in full orchestration for the film. That would have sounded brilliant and stirring.

I believe it was at the end. When the credits started coming up and it just jumps right into the whole Alexander Courage theme. I got all tingly, I did! So my answer is the Alexander Courage theme!


J.

 

[sbk1234]

^^^I stayed through the credits and heard that, but it didn't sound too different to my ear than TOS series version. I mean a complete reworking for a full orchestra. Something that can be as grandious as Goldsmith's theme.

 

[Geckothan]

TMP. It's big, bold and more importantly, it sounds very Star Trek.

 

[Trekarama]

I'm partial to TOS theme, but TMP is a very close second.

 

[Too Much Fun]

If music "cues" count, we could probably all agree on the notes and the horn that would precede both the original "Star Trek" theme and the "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"/"Star Trek: The Next Generation" theme.

 

[Anji]

Cast one vote for the TOS theme. 40 years later I still cheer after Shatner says "to boldly go where no man has gone before!"

Ooooooo!

 

[Thor Damar]

I'm with Odo... I mean NCC-1701on this, DS9 all the way! It's a great majestic shoring theme that captures the sheer beauty of that series. For example;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjJUhy46CII&feature=related

Second vote for the Mirror Universe theme from ENT.

 

[perigee]

I can't escape the TOS theme - nor would I want to. But this is a hard question to codify - I mean, Courage wrote his signature back when "Born Free" and "Strangers in the Night" were at the top of the charts and the Beatles were just hitting their prime.

The TMP theme being incorporated into TNG planted the Goldsmith theme into a whole generation's worth of kids, so it's absolutely understandable why that would resonate.

Overall, though - the first ten notes of Courage's introduction have kinda become the de-facto Starfleet/Federation signature.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Second vote for the Mirror Universe theme from ENT.

Yeah, that was terrific. I actually like it more than all of the themes except the first "Star Trek" theme. I wouldn't have minded hearing that every week, and watching those magnificent opening credits that went with it!

 

[Warp Coil]

I would say the opening of the TOS theme is most iconic to Trek (everything played during the "Space... the final frontier" voiceover). TMP's theme would follow in second place.

 

[Green Shirt]

The TOS theme of course, but which version do you all prefer? My favorite is the theremin based early first season one. AFAIK the reason it was replaced was never discussed by anyone involved.

 

[Starbreaker]

I would have to agree it is the TMP/TNG theme. I think it's the most recognizable.