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Melody Map: Star Trek I-VI

by JDH - @FilmScoreFans
Last updated - 1/14/21
    Star Trek - proof that multiple composers can create something inconsistent yet beautiful.  Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Leonard Rosenman, and Cliff Eidelman (& Yellowjackets...?) each brought their best to the franchise.  Continuity has its benefits, but the variety found in these original six films is a treasure trove of musical excellence.  Ask the question "What is your favorite Trek score?" and you're sure to get just as wide a variety of answers.

     No matter your preference, the world of film score fans will agree that there is not a failure in the set.  And so, this was an easy choice when considering the topic for our latest Melody Map!
Love the music of Star Trek, but hate our website? 
​We get it.  Just click here to get right to the Melody Map!
Melody Map: Star Trek I-VI
This Melody Map is a listening guide that follows the standard releases of each score.  We will be getting to the expanded editions!
     The melodies listed below, and in the Melody Map document, are presented in a variety of transcription forms.  It sometimes made sense to notate them in their simplest form.  But, in some cases, they are written out in the form of their most common or first use.  Disclaimer: I am a professional music educator and performer.  I am not a music theorist or musicologist.  My freshman Theory 1 professor would be horrified to know that I'm putting together content like this.  Please don't tell him...  But, if you see mistakes, or have ideas to add to this collection, please make your voice heard!  Melody Maps are always works in progress.
Email FSF!
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    The list below is organized across films using the following categories: Main Themes, The Original Series, Supporting Characters, Antagonists, and Miscellaneous.  Remember to open the Melody Map document to view the list organized by movie.  Cues are named with the following information:  Title - Composer - Film Appearances. 

      We hope you enjoy our guide to the amazing music of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy!
  • I - The Motion Picture
  • II - The Wrath of Khan
  • III - The Search for Spock
  • IV - The Voyage Home
  • V - The Final Frontier
  • VI - The Undiscovered Country

THE MELODIES


- Main Themes -


Main Theme A - Goldsmith - I & V
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Main Theme B - Goldsmith - I & V
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Enterprise Crew I
For many, this is the gold standard by which all other Trek music is judged.

Main Theme A - Horner - II & III
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Main Theme B - Horner - II & III
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Enterprise Crew II
The A theme is prominent in Wrath of Khan while the B theme takes center stage in Search for Spock.

Main Theme A - Rosenman - IV
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Main Theme B - Rosenman - IV
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Enterprise Crew IV
Follow Goldsmith and Horner? 
Hold my baton...

Main Theme - Eidelman - VI
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A case could be made for the Conspiracy or Undiscovered Country content (see Miscellaneous below) to be the Main Theme of this concluding chapter.  But, the prominence of this melody in the Sign-Off and Suite is just too strong a case to ignore.

​What do you think?  
Enterprise Crew VI

- The Original Series -


TOS Intro - Courage
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TOS Fanfare - Courage
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TOS Theme - Courage
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The use of Alexander Courage's original material is the glue that holds it all together.
Enterprise Crew TOS
USS Enterprise TOS

- Supporting Characters -

Presented in Alphabetical Order

Chekov's Run - Rosenman - IV
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What happens next..?  Hilarity and head trauma!
Chekov's Run

Gillian Searches - Rosenman - IV
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Not exactly a theme, but it does stand out in setting the mixed tone of comedy and stress in this scene. 

​Oh, and excellent mime work, Ms. Hicks!
Gillian

Ilia Ostinato - Goldsmith - I
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Ilia A - Goldsmith - I
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Ilia B - Goldsmith - I
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Ilia
Who doesn't love that the original release of this film included Ilia's Theme as a musical overture?

Spock Returns - Goldsmith - I
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Spock - Horner - II & III
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Spock A - Eidelman - VI
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Spock A - Eidelman - VI
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Spock
Not sure it is really a theme, but his return to the Enterprise in TMP is a great moment. 

​Horner and Eidelman give Spock appropriately substantial material.  Although, Eidelman's B theme could really represent mystery or the unknown.


- Antagonists -

Presented in Alphabetical Order

Conspiracy - Eidelman - VI
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VI
This could easily be called the main theme of this movie based on it's prominence in the Overture and how often it shows up in the score.  But isn't it just too dark to be a Trek main theme?

Khan - Horner - II
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Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!
Notated in its most abbreviated form here, this melody has many variations.  Most versions include repeating the sextuplet figure in different ascending or descending combinations.

Klingons - Goldsmith - I & V
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Klingons
From the cameo appearance in The Motion Picture to the subpar representation in The Final Frontier... this theme is eventually used to represent Worf in The Next Generation films.
Klingons - Horner - III
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Not any options for listening on Spotify... but I hear there is a place called Youtube?
Kruge
Completely unrelated to Goldsmith's theme in form, rhythm, and tonality - but both focus on the primitive nature of Klingon violence.  These two themes would actually work as a great A and B duo.  Maybe it's just me, though?
Klingons 1 - Eidelman - VI
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Klingons 2 - Eidelman - VI
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Klingons
These probably aren't Klingon themes, but both play a big role in scenes on Kronos One.

The Probe - Rosenman - IV
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The Probe Bell Tones - Rosenman - IV
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Both of these never show up the same way twice.  But, they often show up as partners.
The Probe

Sybok - Goldsmith - V
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Brother of Spock, sometimes performed in a... 70's Western style?
Sybok

V'Ger - Goldsmith - I
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There is a lot of material related to V'Ger (see Miscellaneous below), but this one really seems to be the most directly related to the immensity​ of the V'Ger mystery.
V'Ger Blasterbeam - Goldsmith - I
I have yet to identify any repeated melodic content here, but the sound is immediately identifiable as V'Ger.  So, instead of a transcription, enjoy this 2012 live demonstration by inventor/performer Craig Huxley!
V'Ger

- Miscellaneous -

Presented in Alphabetical Order

Action Ostinato 1 - Eidelman - VI
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Action Ostinato 2 - Eidelman - VI
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Action!
I know the second one isn't really an ostinato, but I'm labeling it as such based on the repeated pattern in the upper voice.  ​Have a better option?

Assassination - Eidelman - VI
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Assassination
We're just beaming over to say Hi.
​We promise.

The Barrier - Goldsmith - V
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The Barrier
No ship can cross... until the plot calls for that.

Damage - Horner - II
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Damage
This figure shows up when the crew is assessing damage during Khan's attack.  There is also a low strings line that could be considered a partner melody to this material.

The Danger Motif  - Horner - II
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Whether you think it is stolen from Rachmaninoff, inspired by Rachmaninoff, a tribute Rachmaninoff, or just a coincidence, it is still great stuff!  The real question is this: should they have kept the Reliant right-side-up or stuck with the mistake of reading the plans upside down?  Oh, and which one of Khan's people switched out the bulbs for the red lighting?  So many important questions!
Reliant
Reliant (oops)

End Titles - Horner - II & III
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This melody shows up at the beginning of the end credits of both films.  It serves as a great transition from the end of story telling to the presentation of the main themes over the titles.
End Titles
End Titles Incoming!

Excelsior - Horner - III
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We all love-hated this ship at first, right?
Excelsior goes clunk clunk

Fanfare - Eidelman - VI
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Picture
One. Quarter. Impulse.

The Final Frontier - Goldsmith - V
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TNG
Picard
I'm still not sure if this represents a particular part of The Final Frontier, and it is more prominently used in the TNG movies.  What do you think it should be called?

Genesis - Horner - III
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I could be way off on this one.  More listening (on the expanded release) is definitely needed!
Genesis

Hospital Chase A - Rosenman - IV
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Hospital Chase B - Rosenman - IV
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Hospital Chase in 3...2...1...
One of the highlights of the slightly different style that Rosenman brought to the series!


Katra - Horner - III
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This three note figure can be heard during discussions of the Katra, but is used most prominently during the Katra Ceremony.
Katra Ceremony

Main Theme Bell Tones - Rosenman - IV
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The Voyage Home
A joyful way to start things off!

Market Street - Yellowjackets - IV
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San Fransisco
I get it.  It was the 80's.

The Mountain A - Goldsmith - V
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The Mountain B - Goldsmith - V
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Wish this was used more in the film!
The Mountain

Praxis - Eidelman - VI
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Praxis
Boom.

Rhythm Ostinato 1 - Eidelman - VI
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Rhythm Ostinato 2 - Eidelman - VI
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Rhythm Ostinato 3 - Eidelman - VI
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Hull Breach
Sulu

Rura Penthe - Eidelman - VI
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Rura Penthe Chant - Eidelman - VI
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The "Alien's Graveyard" gave us some great stuff!
Martia
Rura Penthe

Sha Ka Ree A - Goldsmith - V
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Sha Ka Ree B - Goldsmith - V
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Sha Ka Ree
The awe of searching for and finding a God - represented perfectly through music.

Spacedock - Horner - III
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Beautiful shots of the Enterprise coming home are accompanied by this appropriately large statement.
Spacedock

Starfleet Ostinato - Goldsmith - I
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Drydock
Most often heard during moments of anticipation for the crew.

Stealing the Enterprise - Horner - III
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The most prominent use of this theme is when the doors part and the Enterprise barely clears the opening.  Incredible moment.
Stealing The Enterprise

Undiscovered Country - Eidelman - VI
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Directed by
Another candidate for the main theme, but just too dark?

V'Ger Arpeggio - Goldsmith - I
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V'Ger Calls - Goldsmith - I
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V'Ger Cloud - Goldsmith - I
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V'Ger Flyover - Goldsmith - I
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All heard in a wide range of variations throughout the movie.
V'Ger Cloud
V'Ger Flyover
Inside V'Ger

Vulcan - Goldsmith - I
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Not really sure if this can be called a theme, but it is front and center in the mix in Spock's first scenes.
Vulcan

Whale Fugue - Rosenman - IV
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George and Gracie
Heard when the whales and crew celebrate and the Probe leaves.

The Whaler - Rosenman - IV
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Whaler Rhythmic Ostinato - Rosenman - IV
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The Whaler
There is probably more to this theme.  The ostinato is one of the most used accent patterns in action writing.

THE MELODY MAP

Your listening guide to all six films!
Download Here or View Below



@FILMSCOREFANS

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