lthough it has been two decades since Battlestar Galactica was
canceled, SF fans remain incredibly enthusiastic about the classic TV series.
Novels and comic books spotlighting the characters are still being issued,
and there are two separate efforts underway to bring an updated version of
the saga to the big screen. Over the years, Battlestar buffs have also
been able to hear renditions of the show's famous theme on various SF music
compilations, though the complete score has lately been available only on
hard-to-find import or promotional discs. The new, full-length Battlestar
Galactica CD therefore offers a rare opportunity to experience the
popular program's diverse melodies.
For this album, original series composer Stu Phillips has rerecorded over
two dozen cues used in the show's debut adventure. "Prologue/Main Title"
opens the collection with both tranquil and thunderous passages, hinting at
the isolation, excitement and danger facing the crew of the "ragtag, fugitive
fleet." Action-packed cuts like "The Destruction Of Peace" and "Cylon
Attack/The End Of Atlantia" feature rousing horns and frantic strings,
appropriately emphasizing the energetic elements of the tale. These
selections are interspersed with softer, slower numbers such as "Sex At
Last/Cassiopeia & Starbuck" or "Symptoms/Boxey's Problems/Serena's Illness,"
which, as implied by their descriptive titles, complement highly emotional or
humorous scenes.
Most of the compositions are presented in linked groups of two or three
cues, although a few tracks, like the triumphant "Battlestar Galactica
Theme," are rendered as stand-alone works. The liner notes provide a succinct
production history and miscellaneous images from the program. A two-page
photo montage also showcases Phillips conducting the Royal Scottish National
Orchestra--the ensemble used for this recording--and the Los Angeles
Philharmonic, the troupe which performed the original Battlestar
Galactica score back in 1978.
20 yahrens old, but still enjoyable
A year or so after the release of Star Wars, prime-time television
was awash with science fiction programming. Most of those shows were quickly
forgotten, yet Battlestar Galactica continues to be a beloved
favorite. Entertaining characters, dazzling special effects and an engaging
story--along with years of reruns on The SCI FI Channel--are no doubt
primarily responsible for the enduring popularity of the program, but the
showy symphonic score also contributes to the series' reputation as a
monumental SF saga.
One of the most refreshing cuts on this disc is the "Fighter
Launch/Mysterious Derelict/Zac In Trouble" sequence, which juxtaposes both
frenetic and fearful cues. Opening with a stripped-down snippet of the
"Battlestar Galactica Theme," the music wonderfully expresses the
agitation and anticipation felt by the Viper pilots as they leave the fleet
to inspect a potentially threatening situation. Menacing strings slowly
build, marvelously accentuating the tension, and when the brass suddenly
reappears listeners can clearly envision both an unexpected ambush and the
ensuing clash. Similarly exhilarating numbers include "Cylon Attack/The End
Of Atlantia," "Cylon Freighter/The Trap" and "Escape From The Ovion
Mines."
Phillips isn't totally ineffective in generating comparable feelings with
quieter cues, but for several reasons these compositions tend to be a bit
more mundane. "Adama's Theme/The Residue Of War" presents a rather impotent
(though appropriately lonely) melody for Galactica's regal commander,
while the brief "Suffering" is so murky it's difficult to connect with the
sorrowful emotions the tune obviously seeks to convey. However, even with
these weaknesses, Battlestar Galactica is a commendable effort,
evoking wonderful musical memories of a television show that, more than 20
years after its demise, remains a truly unforgettable adventure.
