GNP Crescendo

Conducted by Jerry Goldsmith

Orchestrated by Alexander Courage

Produced by Jerry Goldsmith, Neil Norman, and Mark Banning

Release Date: 1998

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     Almost at the very end of track one of the score to Star Trek: Insurrection, the listener is treated to one of the best orchestrations I have ever heard of Goldsmith's main theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. And therein lies the main problem I have had with his last two Trek scores. After hearing that bit, I anxiously grabbed the jewel case and scanned the track listings looking for that magic little mark that announced, "Contains 'Theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture.' " Alas, but only the first and last tracks contained such markings. That is not to say that Goldsmith didn't do a good job of composing new themes for this odd-numbered Trek outing. Still, can anything compare to the pure majesty that the his original theme possesses? And believe me, once you've heard it at the end of track one, you will be dying for more.

     The score for Star Trek: Insurrection is almost a direct sequel to First Contact. Almost every theme in Insurrection has its roots in a theme from First Contact. Fortunately, this CD does not just sound like a rehash, and is actually kind of fresh in certain spots. The music for the Ba'ku is soft and melodic and exceptionally good. In addition, Goldsmith uses more synth then in his previous score which adds a new dimension to some of the action sequences. I've heard that it sounds remarkably similar to some of his early '70s scores in the use of synth, but since I haven't heard anything from that time period it's pretty new to me.

     Star Trek: Insurrection is a solid score, like First Contact, and should not be underrated. I just hope that if Goldsmith has another opportunity to score a Trek film, that he throws caution to the wind and gives us the score we've always wanted...a true musical sequel to Star Trek: The Motion Picture. ****

 

1 - Ba'ku Village (6:57)

2 - In Custody (1:08)

3 - Children's Story (1:47)

4 - Not Functioning (1:52)

5 - New Sight (5:47)

6 - The Drones Attack (4:13)

 

 

7 - The Riker Maneuver (3:13)

8 - The Same Race (2:53)

9 - No Threat (4:14)

10 - The Healing Process (7:15)

11 - End Credits (5:23)