10 Favorite Star Trek Musical Pieces

10

Ilia's Theme

Ilia's theme is the first of three pieces from the "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" on my list. It is the arguably most emotional one of my favorite tunes. And while I admit it may be a bit too prominent in the movie itself, it works very well in the context of the soundtrack CD.

9

Star Trek Title Theme

The TOS title music by Alexander Courage is the most recognizable Star Trek sound still today. It consists of the ten-note opening fanfare during Shatner's narration, followed by the theme that is accompanied by Loulie Jean Norman's high-pitched voice since season 2. Gene Roddenberry famously wrote very corny and practically unsingable lyrics for the theme so he could claim 50% of the royalties. The only one who knows how to perform the song seems to be Jack Black. I hope he paid the royalties...

8

Klingon Battle

The "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" soundtrack is marked by single pieces that serve very distinct purposes and are anything but generic background music. In this regard, "Klingon Battle" is the probably most successful piece, as it has become a signature tune for the Klingons. It was re-used in TNG: "Heart of Glory" and in "Star Trek: First Contact", for instance.

7

"Star Trek (2009)" End Credits

Michael Giacchino composed the soundtracks for "Star Trek (2009)" and the two subsequent Abramsverse movies, including a very recognizable common main theme. This aptly sets apart the more bombastic new movie universe from classic Star Trek. In his end credits we can hear an updated TOS theme, and Giacchino does something ingenious by gradually blending in the Abramsverse theme so the two become one.

6

"Star Trek: First Contact" Title Theme

The "First Contact" theme is another masterpiece by Jerry Goldsmith, both in terms of the melody and the instrumentation. In the opening of the movie, its optimistic mood abruptly and shockingly makes way for the Picard's creepy assimilation scene. It gives me goosebumps even when I only listen to it.

5

Star Trek: Voyager Title Theme

Jerry Goldsmith composed a powerful yet very optimistic title theme for Star Trek: Voyager. This music got me hooked immediately when I first watched the series. Ahead of the DS9 theme with its similar style and way ahead of most of the recent Trek music, this is the best instrumental series theme in my view.

4

Faith of the Heart

The Enterprise title theme, composed by Diane Warren and performed by Russell Watson, is, without a doubt, the most controversial music ever produced for Star Trek. There were vocal protests and petitions to replace the song. It is ultimately a matter of taste. Besides liking the song, I think that its lyrics as well as the modesty of its sound perfectly fit the idea of the series. It really doesn't always have to be fanfares!

3

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" Title Theme

Jerry Goldsmith composed the title theme for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", which was re-used for "Star Trek: The Final Frontier" and, in a somewhat more "tinny" sounding variation for Star Trek: The Next Generation. The optimistic, catchy and often played theme has earned the status of something like a "national anthem" of Star Trek. I often find myself whistling it, so it clearly deserves a top rank in this list.

2

"Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" Title Theme

As soon as in the ominous first few seconds of the "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" title theme, we know that we are up for an extraordinary soundtrack (and an exciting movie). James Horner is known for his prominent brass sounds and humming violins, and I recognized them in unrelated movies too, without knowing it was Horner's music. A top rank for this very stirring piece of Trek music.

1

Battle in the Mutara Nebula

"Battle in the Mutara Nebula" is the one piece in "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" that beats even the title theme. It has a dramaturgy that, of course, follows the events on screen. But even when I listen to the soundtrack without visuals, the score is much like a symphony. There are some more silent parts in the music that are hardly noticeable in the movie and that tie everything together to an uninterrupted experience. A masterpiece!