Music of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

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Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Nicholas Meyer, based on the television series Star Trek and is the second film in the Star Trek film series, following Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). The film is scored by James Horner, in his first major film score he composed in his career. [1] He was selected after sorting numerous composers, in place of Jerry Goldsmith, who scored the predecessor and was not considered because of the film's reduced budget. [2] Horner produced a modernistic sound over the John Williams style of epic orchestral film scores for the Star Wars films. [3] According to of Comic Book Resources , his score for Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) served as the inspiration for Wrath of Khan. [4]

Contents

Composition and recording

When Horner was assigned to work on the film in mid-January 1982, he sketched basic ideas for the score and developed main themes for each character. [5] He then completed writing the entire score within four-and-a-half weeks. The music was recorded at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank from April 12–15, 1982, and two additional sessions were conducted on April 30, and May 3, respectively at the Record Plant studio in Los Angeles to modify the themes. [3] Horner composed nearly 72 minutes of score, which was performed by a 91-piece of the Hollywood Studio Symphony. He made use of synthesizers for ancillary effects, and Craig Huxley performed the Blaster beam, as well as composing electronic music for the Genesis Project video. [3] When most of the film's final edit had been locked, before Horner composing the music, he had to change the orchestration process as the integration of special effects caused changes in the scene durations. [2] The score incorporates the Star Trek theme composed by Alexander Courage and written by Gene Roddenberry. [2]

Release

Original track list

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Film score by
James Horner
Released1982
RecordedApril 12–15, 1982
Studio
Genre Film score
Length44:55
Label Atlantic
Producer James Horner
Star Trek soundtracks chronology
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
(1979)		Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
(1982)		 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
(1984)
James Horner chronology
The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper
(1981)		Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
(1982)		 48 Hrs.
(1982)

The Wrath of Khan's original score was published in LPs and cassettes through Atlantic Records. In early-1990s, independent label GNP Crescendo Records acquired the licensing and distribution deal of the Star Trek soundtracks from Paramount and issued the album for the first time in CDs. [6]

The album, however, did not include the complete score. Only 9 tracks on a 45-minute duration, in contrast to the initial 72-minute duration, was heard in the album. [7]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title"3:08
2."Surprise Attack"5:12
3."Spock"1:11
4."Kirk's Explosive Reply"4:03
5."Khan's Pets"4:21
6."Enterprise Clears Moorings"3:35
7."Battle In The Mutara Nebula"8:05
8."Genesis Countdown"6:37
9."Epilogue / End Title"8:43
Total length:44:55

Expanded edition (Retrograde)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Expanded Edition)
Film score by
James Horner
ReleasedJuly 20, 2009
Genre Film score
Length75:16
Label Retrograde
Producer James Horner

On July 20, 2009, Film Score Monthly's Retrograde Records released the expanded edition of the 1982 score album, that featured the complete score as heard in the film. This album consisted of 23 tracks heard in the film with a runtime of 75 minutes. [3] [8] At the International Film Music Critics Association awards held in 2009, the recording was nominated for Best New Archival Release of an Existing Score – Re-Release or Re-Recording. [9] [10] If won, the award would be presented to the composer James Horner and the album producer Lukas Kendall. [9]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title"3:08
2."Surprise on Ceti Alpha V"0:46
3."Khan's Pets"4:20
4."The Eels of Ceti Alpha V / Kirk in Space Shuttle"3:54
5."Enterprise Clears Moorings"3:34
6."Chekov Lies"0:42
7."Spock"1:13
8."Kirk Takes Command / He Tasks Me"2:08
9."Genesis Project"3:17
10."Surprise Attack"5:08
11."Kirk's Explosive Reply"4:03
12."Inside Regula I"1:37
13."Brainwashed"1:25
14."Captain Terrell's Death"2:00
15."Buried Alive"0:58
16."The Genesis Cave"1:11
17."Battle in the Mutara Nebula"8:09
18."Enterprise Attacks Reliant"1:30
19."Genesis Countdown"6:35
20."Spock (Dies)"1:55
21."Amazing Grace"1:27
22."Epilogue / End Title"8:47
23."Epilogue (original version) / End Title"7:29
Total length:75:16

Remastered edition (La-La Land Records)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Remastered Edition)
Film score by
James Horner
ReleasedAugust 17, 2021
Genre Film score
Length132:48
Label La-La Land Records
Producer James Horner

On August 17, 2021, La-La Land Records published the double album of the remastered score that featured 39 tracks (21 in the first disc, and 18 in the second). The first disc consisted of the complete score, while the second disc includes tracks from the 1982 original release and the remainder of them were accompanied by outtakes, and alternate compositions which were rejected or not included in the final score. The album also included Huxley's composition for the Genesis Project video. [11] [12]

Disc 1
No.TitleNoteLength
1."Main Title"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry 3:11
2."Surprise On Ceti Alpha V" 0:48
3."Khan's Pets" 4:23
4."The Eels Of Ceti Alpha V / Kirk In Space Shuttle"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry3:57
5."Enterprise Clears Moorings" 3:36
6."Chekov Lies"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry0:43
7."Spock" 1:13
8."Kirk Takes Command / He Tasks Me"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry2:12
9."Surprise Attack" 5:10
10."Kirk's Explosive Reply" 4:05
11."Inside Regula One" 1:51
12."Brainwashed" 1:27
13."Captain Terrell's Death" 2:01
14."Buried Alive" 1:00
15."The Genesis Cave" 1:13
16."Battle In The Mutara Nebula" (Film Version) 8:11
17."Enterprise Attacks Reliant" 1:34
18."Genesis Countdown" (Film Version) 6:38
19."Spock And Kirk"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry1:56
20."Amazing Grace" 1:29
21."Epilogue / End Title" (Film Version)contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry8:45
Total length:65:23
Disc 2
No.TitleNoteLength
1."Main Title"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry3:10
2."Surprise Attack" 5:10
3."Spock" 1:14
4."Kirk's Explosive Reply" 4:05
5."Khan's Pets" 4:22
6."Enterprise Clears Moorings" 3:37
7."Battle In The Mutara Nebula" 8:11
8."Genesis Countdown" 6:37
9."Epilogue / End Title"contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry8:44
10."Genesis Project"composed and performed by Craig Huxley 3:14
11."The Eels Of Ceti Alpha V" (Discrete) 2:41
12."Kirk In Space Shuttle" (Discrete)contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry1:22
13."Kirk Takes Command" (Proposed Album Take)contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry1:43
14."Buried Alive" (Alternate Take) 1:02
15."Amazing Grace" (Alternate) 1:33
16."Epilogue / End Title" (Alternate)contains theme from Star Trek performed by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry7:33
17."Wild Orchestra" 1:37
18."Amazing Grace" (Alternate Bagpipes) 1:30
Total length:67:25

Reception

In a five-star review, Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks.com described that the album "remains a fine example of a surprisingly impressive breakout effort for a young composer". [13] John Tenuto of TrekMovie.com described it as "enjoyable music in its own right" and "wonderful". [14] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic wrote "[Horner's] efforts lend Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's vision a newfound gravitas." [15] Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles wrote "Horner defies the sound of science fiction, before, during Star Trek 2, and after it". [16] Charlie Brigden of Den of Geek called it as "a sure-fire five-star score and fits the film beautifully". [17] It has been regarded as one of Horner's best film scores in his career. [18]

Personnel credits

Credits adapted from liner notes: [19]

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References

  1. ↑ Harrington, Richard (July 25, 1982). "Sounds Of the Summer Screen". The Washington Post . p. L1.
  2. 1 2 3 Bond, Jeff (1999). The Music of Star Trek. Lone Eagle Publishing Company. ISBN   1-58065-012-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bond, Jeff; Kendall, Lukas; Kaplan, Alexander (2009). Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Media notes). James Horner. Retrograde Records.
  4. ↑ Dreibelbis, Chris (August 20, 2022). "A Cult Classic Previewed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan's Score". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Larson, Randall (Fall 1982). "Interview: James Horner and Star Trek II". CinemaScore (10).
  6. ↑ Barker, Andrew (January 8, 2014). "At Age 60, GNP-Crescendo Label is the Little Indie That Could". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Soundtrack (1982)". Soundtrack.net. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Film Score Monthly CD: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". Film Score Monthly. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  9. 1 2 IFMCA (2010). "2008 IFMCA Awards". IFMCA. IFMCA. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Pond, Steve (January 29, 2010). "Michael Giacchino Leads Film Score Nominations". TheWrap . The Wrap News Inc. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ "STAR TREK II – THE WRATH OF KHAN: LIMITED EDITION (2-CD SET)". La-La Land Records. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ Shurley, Neil (August 17, 2021). "La-La Land Releases Expanded, Remastered 'Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan' Soundtrack". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ Clemmensen, Christian (2009). "Filmtracks: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (James Horner)". Filmtracks.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  14. ↑ Tenuto, John (July 28, 2009). "Review of Wrath of Khan Extended Soundtrack + Producer Interview". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  15. ↑ Ankeny, Jason (1982). "Review: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan [Original Score]". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  16. ↑ Glorieux, Thomas (2009). "James Horner: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". Maintitles.net. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  17. ↑ Brigden, Charlie (August 31, 2009). "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan expanded soundtrack review". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Seitz, Matt Zoller (June 22, 2015). "Painting with sound: the music of James Horner, 1953-2015". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  19. ↑ James Horner (1982). Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Media notes). Atlantic Records.
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