SYMPHONIC STAR TREK {Cover Album} (by Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra)

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 71 Min.

Released by Telarc International Corporation in 1996, this homage album covers Star Trek television and movie themes, as well as inserting some exclusive sound effects between tracks.  After Leonard Nimoy’s brief introduction, conductor Erich Kunzel leads the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra through renditions of Tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14-16, 18-19, 21, 23, 25, and 27. 

The complete list of tracks is:       

1. Leonard Nimoy’s Introduction: Into the Final Frontier                                              1:13
2. Star Trek: The Next Generation (Main Theme)   1:44
3. “Warp-One” (Telarc sound effect)      0:15
4.  Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (End Title)   4:55
5. “The Destruction of Praxis and Its Aftermath” (Telarc sound effect)   1:03
6.  Star Trek: Voyager (Main Theme)   1:42
7. “Starship Flyby” (Telarc sound effect)    0:14
8.  Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Main Theme)   2:01
9. “Alien Probe” (Telarc sound effect)    0:48
10. “Humpback Whale Song” (sound effect per Dr. Roger Payne’s 1970 recording)   1:27
11.  Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Main Title)   2:42
12.  Star Trek: The Original Series (Main Theme – Expanded)    3:44
13. “Tribble Trouble” (Telarc sound effect)   0:38
14.  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Main Title)    3:16
15.  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Epilogue)      3:04
16.  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (End Credits)  5:41
17. “Klingon Bird-of-Prey Decloaking” (Telarc sound effect)   0:16
18.  Star Trek: The Motion Picture (“The Klingon Battle”)    5:26
19.  Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Main Theme)   3:52
20. “Warp Eight” (Telarc sound effect)    1:06
21.  Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (“A Busy Man”)      4:12
22. “Genesis Project: The Creation and Evolution of TINSIS” (Telarc sound effect) 2:58
23. Star Trek: The Cage suite (aka “The Menagerie” – Original TV Pilot Theme)   7:34
24. “Transporter” (Telarc sound effect)     0:26
25. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Main Theme)   6:08
26. “Nexus Energy Ribbon” (Telarc sound effect)   0:59
27. Star Trek: Generations (End Title)  4:08
28. “The Borg” (Telarc sound effect)  0:11

Notes:

Track 5: for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Tracks 9 and 10: for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Track 13: for Star Trek: The Original Series.

Track 17: for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Track 22: for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Track 26: for Star Trek: Generations.

Track 28: for Star Trek: The Next Generation / Star Trek: First Contact.

REVIEW:

Though somewhat dated, Symphonic Star Trek remains a blast to hear!  This unique CD gains instant credibility as Leonard Nimoy’s distinctively raspy voice transcends a hokey scripted intro.  Still, kudos must go to Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for their faithful renditions. 

Among the highlights is a concert-style rendition of Star Trek: The Original Series.  The rarely-heard collection of themes reviving Star Trek: The Cage proves a wonderful suite.  Telarc’s well-produced sound effects deliver some fun added attractions.  Boasting superb sound quality, Symphonic Star Trek delivers a hugely entertaining soundtrack highlight reel for any Trekker.    

PACKAGING:

The tracks and running times accurately appear on the CD’s back cover and inside the booklet insert.  The booklet also includes a 4½-page introduction by physicist-author Lawrence M. Krauss and a 3-page commentary on the sound effects by Michael Bishop.  Credits, technical notes, and thank-you notes are also included.  The CD is well-protected by a standard plastic casing.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     10 Stars