The theme music for the original Star Trek series is a fantastic masterpiece, reflecting the amazing imagination of its creator, Gene Roddenberry.
Composed by Alexander Courage in 1966, the theme is fifty seconds long and it incorporates a blend of classical orchestration and futuristic sounds.
Brilliantly composed by Courage in only three days, the end result was a beautiful piece that embodies hope and adventure.
Roddenberry played a vital role in shaping the theme and, interestingly, he wrote lyrics for it, although they were never used.
The music not only became synonymous with the series, but also seeped into popular culture, finding its way into countless parodies and media forms.
The composition ingeniously includes the unusual tones of the theremin, an electronic musical device played without human physical contact. A theremin produces sound based on the proximity of the player's hands to its antennas, creating eerie and haunting tones. This innovative inclusion added an element of the unknown, and also perfectly captured the show's futuristic and otherworldly themes.
The haunting celestial vocalizations in the theme were actually sung by a choir, and not made electronically. They create a mysterious quality synonymous with the uncharted territories that the Enterprise explored.
The original Star Trek series theme is a testament to the creative ingenuity of its composer and the visionary spirit of its creator. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke a sense of mystique and excitement, inviting us on a journey through the universe of imagination.
Subscribe for photos and articles
🖖😍 Star Trek Gigi
You know the reason Gene wrote lyrics to the original theme is because he wanted a cut of the royalties instead of the composer? He was a lot of things, greedy amongst them.