Music of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Last updated

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 then performed by the 91-piece orchestra. 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]

Related Research Articles

<i>Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</i> 1982 US science fiction film by Nicholas Meyer

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Nicholas Meyer and based on the television series Star Trek. It is the second film in the Star Trek film series following Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), and is a sequel to the television episode "Space Seed" (1967). The plot features Admiral James T. Kirk and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise facing off against the genetically engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh. When Khan escapes from a 15-year exile to exact revenge on Kirk, the crew of the Enterprise must stop him from acquiring a powerful terraforming device named Genesis. The film is the beginning of a three-film story arc that continues with the film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) and concludes with the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).

<i>Star Trek III: The Search for Spock</i> 1984 US science fiction film by Leonard Nimoy

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 American science fiction film, written and produced by Harve Bennett, directed by Leonard Nimoy, and based on the television series Star Trek. It is the third film in the Star Trek franchise and is the second part of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and concludes with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). After the death of Spock (Nimoy), the crew of the USS Enterprise return to Earth. When James T. Kirk learns that Spock's spirit, or katra, is held in the mind of Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Kirk and company steal the decommissioned USS Enterprise to return Spock's body to his homeworld. The crew must also contend with hostile Klingons, led by Kruge, who are bent on stealing the secrets of the powerful terraforming device, Genesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Goldsmith</span> American film composer (1929–2004)

Jerrald King Goldsmith was an American composer, with a career in film and television scoring that spanned nearly 50 years and over 200 productions, between 1954 and 2003. He was considered one of film music's most innovative and influential composers. He was nominated for eighteen Academy Awards, six Grammy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, nine Golden Globe Awards, and four British Academy Film Awards.

"Space Seed" is the 22nd episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek. It was first broadcast by NBC on February 16, 1967. "Space Seed" was written by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber and directed by Marc Daniels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Horner</span> American film composer (1953–2015)

James Roy Horner was an American film composer. He worked on more than 160 film and television productions between 1978 and 2015. He was known for the integration of choral and electronic elements alongside traditional orchestrations, and for his use of motifs associated with Celtic music.

<i>Star Trek</i> (soundtrack) 2009 soundtrack album by Michael Giacchino

Star Trek: Music from the Motion Picture is a soundtrack album for the 2009 film Star Trek, composed by Michael Giacchino. The score was recorded in October 2008 since the film was originally scheduled to be released the following December. It was performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony and Page LA Studio Voices at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The score incorporates the "Theme from Star Trek" by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry.

<i>Star Trek: Nemesis</i> (soundtrack)

Star Trek: Nemesis – Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a soundtrack album for the 2002 film, Star Trek: Nemesis, composed by Jerry Goldsmith. Released on December 10, 2002 through Varèse Sarabande, the soundtrack features fourteen tracks of score at a running time just over forty-eight minutes, though bootleg versions containing the entire score have since been released. A deluxe edition soundtrack limited to 5000 copies was released on January 6, 2014 by Varèse Sarabande.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Score</i> 2014 soundtrack album by Brian Tyler

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Score is the soundtrack album to the 2014 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is a reboot of the Turtles film series. The album features the original score composed by Brian Tyler and was released by Atlantic Records on August 5, 2014.

<i>Apollo 13</i> (soundtrack) 1995 soundtrack album by James Horner

Apollo 13: Music From The Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the 1995 film Apollo 13 featuring an original score composed, conducted and producer by James Horner. The soundtrack was released on June 27, 1995 by MCA Records that compiled seven tracks of score, eight period songs used in the film, and seven tracks of dialogue by the actors at a running time of nearly 78 minutes.

<i>Maleficent</i> (soundtrack) 2014 film score by James Newton Howard

Maleficent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album composed by James Newton Howard for the 2014 film Maleficent, based on the Disney villain character Maleficent from the animated film Sleeping Beauty (1959). The film is a live-action spin-off of Sleeping Beauty, and is loosely inspired from Charles Perrault's original fairy tale. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the film stars Angelina Jolie in the titular character.

<i>Valkyrie</i> (soundtrack) 2008 film score by John Ottman

Valkyrie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2008 film of the same name directed by Bryan Singer and stars Tom Cruise. John Ottman composed the film's musical score in his fifth collaboration with Singer after Lion's Den (1988), Public Access (1993), The Usual Suspects, (1995) Apt Pupil (1998), X2 (2003) and Superman Returns (2006).

<i>The Spiderwick Chronicles</i> (soundtrack) 2008 film score by James Horner

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Original Motion Picture Score) is the score album to the 2008 film of the same name composed and conducted by James Horner. The album featured 15 tracks from Horner's score and was released on February 12, 2008, by Lakeshore Records. The film featured an original song, a rendition of the nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Falling Down" performed by Jordy Benattar, that was not included in the soundtrack. The score received positive reviews.

<i>Milk</i> (soundtrack) 2008 soundtrack album by Danny Elfman

Milk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2008 film of the same name, featuring musical score composed by Danny Elfman and a selection of contemporary pop hits. The album was released on November 18, 2008 through Decca Records to critical acclaim and received nominations at various ceremonies, including an Academy Award nomination.

<i>The Karate Kid</i> (soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by James Horner

The Karate Kid (Music from the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack to the 2010 film The Karate Kid, directed by Harald Zwart and starred Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, which is a remake of the 1984 film of the same name and the fifth film in The Karate Kid franchise. The album featured 18 tracks composed by James Horner and released through Madison Gate Records on June 15, 2010.

<i>The Expendables 2</i> (soundtrack) 2012 soundtrack album by Brian Tyler

The Expendables 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack accompanying the 2012 film The Expendables 2, a sequel to The Expendables and the second instalment in the 2010 franchise of the same name. Featuring musical score composed by Brian Tyler, the 14-track album was released through Lionsgate Records on August 14, 2012.

<i>The Expendables 3</i> (soundtrack) 2014 film score by Brian Tyler

The Expendables 3: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 2014 film The Expendables 3, a sequel to The Expendables 2 (2012) and the third instalment in The Expendables franchise. Featuring musical score composed by Brian Tyler, the soundtrack was released through Lionsgate Records and La-La Land Records on August 12, 2014.

<i>Knight and Day</i> (soundtrack) 2010 film score by John Powell

Knight and Day (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the album consisting of the film score composed by John Powell for the 2010 satirical action comedy film Knight and Day directed by James Mangold, starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The soundtrack was released through Varèse Sarabande on June 24, 2010.

<i>Men in Black II</i> (soundtrack)

Men in Black II (Music from the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack to the 2002 film Men in Black II directed by Barry Sonnenfeld; a sequel to Men in Black (1997) and the second instalment in the eponymous film trilogy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, reprising their roles from the predecessor. The soundtrack released through Columbia Records on June 25, 2002 and featured original score composed by Danny Elfman and three songs—"Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)" by Will Smith and Trā-Knox, "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men and "I Will Survive" by Tim Blaney—the former of which was released as a single on May 13, 2002.

<i>Romeo & Juliet</i> (soundtrack) 2013 film score by Abel Korzeniowski

Romeo & Juliet is the score soundtrack to the 2013 film Romeo & Juliet, directed by Carlo Carlei; an adaptation of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy and stars Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfeld, as the eponymous principal characters. Abel Korzeniowski composed the film's orchestral score replacing James Horner, who was originally attached to score the film. The soundtrack was released through Sony Masterworks on 1 October 2013.

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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.