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Star Trek: The Next Generation
01/01/2007 . Source: Sue Davies 
This single episode cassette features all the music from the opening two episodes of 'Star Trek The Next Generation'. Buy Star Trek: The Next Generation in the USA - or Buy Star Trek: The Next Generation in the UK  check out website: www.gnpcrescendo.com/
This single episode cassette features all the music from the opening two episodes of 'Star Trek The Next Generation'. There was a lot riding on this series. It was the first time that a 'Star Trek' team had been on the small screen since the 1960s. There was no Kirk but he was enjoying big screen success with a run of 'Star Trek' movies that surprised almost everyone by overcoming the shaky start and developing into a nice little franchise.
The new team were all touchy-feely 80s with big hair (except for Jean-Luc) and big dreams of a Federation that would be bringing peace and harmony to the universe. It's a bit of a shock for Captain Jean-Luc Picard to find himself defending not just his team but the whole of the human race in the opening episodes. This was gripping stuff and to a world starved of SF, this was manna from heaven. I don't know if ST-TNG was an instant ratings success but I remember having to set the video every week for the unmissable exploits of the good captain and his crew.
Musically, it is instantly recognisable incorporating the main theme that took elements from the original and reworked them into a positive and dynamic musical movement that has an upbeat and positive motion. The opening theme draws on both the original series and the motion picture scored by Alexander Courage and Jerry Goldsmith respectively. Also, quite surprisingly to me, is that it holds up very well as a piece of music that is pleasant to listen to and stands to be played over again. I'm not sure I would purchase it as a standalone cassette given that I prefer my 'Star Trek' on the screen rather than off tape, but for fans of theme music this is undeniably a treat.
The composer, Dennis McCarthy, cut his teeth on 'V: The Final Battle' and scored a number of episode of popular shows like 'MacGyver', 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Dynasty'. This opening two hour episode was scored for a 38-piece orchestra. It really pushes out the boat for a glorious return to the small screen. If anything, it overdoes the triumphantism in places but the music reflects a more optimistic time than the darkness that gathered around 'Deep Space 9'. The way it links the different incarnations of 'Star Trek' is subtle and reassuring. It proved to be great driving music, an intergalactic backdrop to my rather mundane runs to the supermarket!
Sue Davies
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