The Best Of Star Trek: 30th Anniversary Special! Original TV Soundtrack [Enhanced CD]

For those who love orchestral music, Star Trek is a hidden gem. From the powerful, high-charged main themes to the episodic score, Star Trek delivers...and the 30th Anniversary Special is a sample of some of the best. While the music from "The Trouble with Tribbles" is most definitely campy, I can't help but smile when I hear the wailing of the violins (the sounds of the tribbles) or the music that accompanies the bar fight. "Heart of Glory" from The Next Generation varies from contemplative to warlike, with the Klingon theme clacking at the beginning of the suite. And EVERYONE enjoys "The Inner Light" and the Ressikan flute.

For me, though, the highlight of this cd is not "The Inner Light," but the music from "The Visitor." The achingly moving score is one of the most powerful pieces of music I've ever heard, with the mournful flute intro to track #13, the strings theme and the plaintive cry of the oboe -- mirroring Jake Sisko's desperation as he searches his entire life for a way to rescue his father.

While the selections from Voyager can get a bit tiring after a while (though Voyager certainly has produced its share of good music) and "The Trouble with Tribbles" isn't something that pops up often on my cd player, there's something for every Trekker -- and every music lover -- in this cd. 4.5 stars in my book.

A major event from the GNP/Crescendo label---"THE BEST OF STAR TREK:30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL", and boy---is this special, collections of suites and themes paying homage to STAR TREK, and the many spin offs over the past thirty years(has it really been that long)---our CD features all four of the series and samplings of each composers creativity---many scores evoke tears, with orchestral presence of "VOYAGER", and the hauntingly beautiful, very emotional "DEEP SPACE NINE".

We've gone beyond what creator Gene Roddenberry envisioned back in 1964, more sophisticated and the music, scores have grown into full symphonies, every theme we've come to love and respect---Highlights inclusive ~ "THE INNER LIGHT", orchestral suite from composer Jay Chattaway shades of new age genre excel..."HEART OF GLORY", by Ron Jones from "NEXT GENERATION" episode with Klingon's, innovative of Goldsmith..."THE VISITOR", romantic sweeping suite from Dennis McCarthy, truly an excellent piece of composing, gotta love it!

Give Neil Norman and the gang at GNP/Crescendo a standing ovation for this one of a kind project---a passion of collecting classic film music, is what all "film-score-buffs" strive for---soundtracks that jump out at you, with originality and a zestful approach to the story-line---and hey, this time it's all on one album...great job Crescendo!

You might try other GNP/Crescendo releases ~ "The Best of Star Trek Vol. 2"(GNPD-8061)..."Greatest Science Ficition Hits, Vol. 1"(GNPD-2128), all worthy of a good listen!

Total Time: 63:51 on 19 Tracks ~ GNP/Crescendo GNPD-8053 ~ (1996)

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   Written on August 9, 2001
   Summary: Surprisingly wonderful.
I thought this would be "hokey" -- but I wanted the music from "The Inner Light" and "The Visitor" and I love it! I am especially moved by "The Visitor" and am wearing out this CD. The selections from Yoyager are also very good. I have one CD in my car and have just bought one for my house. I also recommend the VHS of TNG:The Inner Light and DSN:The Visitor. Just have a hankey handy!

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   Written on May 20, 2001
   Summary: star trek 30th anniversary special
I have to say start at track #8 (or trek) this is the best music I've heard in from trek sound tracks, in awhile.