2. Prelude / Outer Space / Radar (3:45)
Probably the most original science fiction opening
titles ever composed. The "Prelude" is a drawn out yelling theremin
scream with a building cymbal crash, which climaxes in "Outer Space," the
main title of the film. This wild composition has the foreboding
main melody carried on a screaming high theremin, which almost gives the
impression of a warped female soprano vocal. In the background of
this are building harp, organ, and piano runs, and the various statements
of the theme are intercut with rising trumpet figures, still with the organ
and harp in the background. "Radar" introduces the minimalism that
is inherent in this score, although this cue is definitely more exciting
than the others. It's composed for an ensemble of 2 pianos, one in
a high register and one in a low register, and vibraphone. The 2
octaves battle against each other, both playing varied permutations of
the same basic melody line, with vibraphone mediations between each statement.
This is one of those cues that *everyone* should own, even if you just
get it from a compilation.
3. Danger (:22)
This short interlude is made up of a long series
of 4-note descending brass sections, accompanied by electric bass and vibraphone.
4. Klaatu (2:15)
Hints of a new theme come through here, what
I call the Humanity motif, since it's usually played very nobly to characterize
our naiveté. It's based on the main theme's chord progressions,
but the melody is somewhat different. This cue continues Herrmann's
minimalism through a high theremin note, followed by foreboding minor orchestral
chords.
5. Gort / The Visor / The Telescope (2:23)
"Gort" introduces a new motif to characterize
the menacing robot of the film. His motif is very plodding and heavy
on low brass and electric bass, with the melody carried on a haunting low
theremin. "The Visor" continues this motif, but adds a series of
jarring cymbal and brass clashes which always come unexpectedly.
The theremin melody is back, but now played even lower than usual.
"The Telescope" gives a quieter continuance of Gort's motif, not as reliant
on low brass, more on electric bass.
6. Escape (:52)
This short cue is based on an extension on the
"danger" theme, but now joined by pipe organ and a wailing, almost out
of tune theremin. Later, a reprise of the main "Outer Space" motif
comes, with the same orchestration as the beginning of the cue.
7. Solar Diamonds (1:04)
Another short cue (aren't they all?), this is
a series of calming celestial vibraphone notes, which weren't heard in
the film. Groovy!
8. Arlington (1:08)
The theme that "Klaatu" hinted at becomes fully
realized in this mock-noble motif to represent humanity. Almost like
a chorale, it is made up of first a trumpet solo, answered by more brass
and electric bass. Even here, Herrmann's minimalism comes to the
forefront, since this pattern is repeated ad infinitum, always introducing
new sections of the melody, however.
9. Lincoln Memorial (1:27)
Another statement of the Humanity motif, now
with a few minor chords inserted at various intervals.
10. Nocturne / The Flashlight / The Robot / Space
Control (5:58)
"Nocturne" continues the minimalism with a descending
pipe organ (which badly needed to be tuned) motif, mirrored by pizzicato
harp and vibraphone. The second section adds a layer of chords to
the organ part, as well as electric bass, brass, and chimes in the accompaniment.
"The Flashlight" continues this motif, but with theremin playing the organ
part. Next, in "The Robot" is a solo timpani motif echoed by brass.
The jarring cymbal and brass crashes make a short entrance during this
cue, and you'll eventually notice that the melody is now outlining Gort's
motif. "Space Control" is a dreamy, ominous cue with a slower rendition
of the star motif (the accompaniment from the opening titles) with a theremin
melody.
11. The Elevator / Magnetic Pull / The Study /
The Conference / The Jewelry Store (4:31)
I'd have to say that this suite contains some
of the most jarring and inventive stereo effects I've ever heard, especially
for a prehistoric recording like this. "The Elevator" begins with
high-pitched theremin whines, building percussion, and vibraphone, with
the low brass outlining Gort's motif. "Magnetic Pull" is home to
most of the stereo effects, which consist of a minimalistic fugal theremin/organ
section accompanied by building brass and cymbal crashes, which, just as
they're about to fully crash, jump to the other stereo channel. Then
they'll start back from the other side and jump again. The effect
is quite jarring, especially when listening through headphones. The
organ/theremin passage continues uninterrupted for a few more seconds,
and then "The Study" begins. Here, a shadow of the "Radar" piano
motif returns, under alternating brass passages and theremin. Like
much of the rest of the score, this pattern is repeated for a while.
"The Conference" continues this minimalistic tendency with dissonant organ
chords punctuated by atonal brass passages. "The Jewelry Store" brings
back the theremin whines from "The Elevator," along with organ effects.
12. Panic (:42)
Definitely one of the highlights of the score,
this brings back the main theme in a slightly different arrangement, still
with wild theremin and brass, with solo pipe organ performing the star
ostinato. Later, the organ takes over, playing some giant fortissimo
chords while the melody continues in theremin and brass.
13. The Glowing / Alone / Gort's Rage / Nikto
/ The Captive / Terror (5:11)
This is a short suite of six cues mostly based
on Gort's themes. "The Glowing" plays Gort's motif on theremin and
timpani, interrupted a few times by huge fortissimo brass and cymbal crashes.
The timpani writing in this score was definitely the basis for most of
John Williams' timpani work in the Star Wars trilogy, particularly the
first one and some of the Jabba's palace music from ROTJ. "Alone"
continues this timpani motif along with a minimalistic melody for both
soprano and bass theremin. "Gort's Rage" relocates his theme to a
full tutti, played on brass, timpani, and theremin. "Nikto" brings
back hints of the Radar piano motif, with the first 2 chromatic notes of
the Outer Space theme played on theremin. "The Captive" gives another
horrific presentation of Gort's motif on its trademark theremin and timpani.
"Terror" continues hints of his motif, highlighted by a guttural muted
trombone. Later this motif is moved to high soprano theremin.
14. The Prison (1:42)
After a short recollection of a melody somewhat
like Gort's motif, the huge brass/cymbal crashes return, but now they're
longer and more drawn out. Subtle hints of his motif on timpani and
brass end the track.
15. Rebirth (1:38)
As the alien hero of the film is miraculously
resurrected, he gets a melancholy theremin theme, which, surprisingly,
uses the instruments in chords. It's almost like a warped female
choir! True to its minimalist tendencies, this is repeated ad infinitum.
16. Departure (:52)
The accompaniment to the humanity theme is given
the spotlight in this short cue, along with the usual theremin.
17. Farewell (:32)
A quiet reprisal of the Humanity theme on solo
trumpet forms this track.
18. Finale (:30)
For this exciting climactic track, the main theme
is back in full force, in the same arrangement as the main title, but louder.
A final giant tutti chord with everything from pipe organ to theremin ends
the score.
Fans of Star Trek, sci-fi in general, and especially of Bernard Herrmann will no doubt love this score to death. Others may want to listen to a suite on a compilation first, but there are many great tracks, and only a few go into monotonous minimalism (which isn't that bad to most people). The tone of the minimalistic passages is pretty downbeat and depressing, and some of them sound like music for a horror film, especially with the jarring orchestral effects. Even though the sound quality is weak, it's definitely not unlistenable, and I think everyone could find something worthwhile in this score. For this review, I'm going to mark the sound quality N/A since it's really not fair to judge a 50 year old recording.
| Music Rating | 9/10 |
| Packaging/Liner Notes | 8/10 |
| Sound Quality | N/A |
| Orchestral Performance | 10/10 |
| Length | 10/10 |
