The Music of Cosmos:
Collector's Edition

An expanded soundtrack from Carl Sagan's classic miniseries spotlights tunes that are truly made of starstuff

	The Music of Cosmos: Collector's Edition
	By various artists
	Cosmos Studios
	Disc 1: 71:47 min.
	Disc 2: 67:25 min.
	Available from www.carlsagan.com
	MSRP: $25.00 CD

Review by Jeff Berkwits

hen Cosmos premiered on public television in 1980, the groundbreaking program introduced "billions and billions" of viewers to the joys and wonders of the universe. On a somewhat subtler basis, the show also familiarized folks with dozens of heavenly melodies. The Music of Cosmos: Collector's Edition offers 28 tracks either used within or strongly inspired by the series, ranging from classical suites and concertos to pop hits and soaring electronic arias.

Loosely divided into seven sections presented under such headings as "Space/Time Continuum," "Extraterrestrials" and "Affirmation," the two-CD set showcases an array of stirring compositions. Fans of the show will immediately recognize the first cue, "Heaven & Hell, Part I," a magnificent motif by Vangelis that ultimately became known as the "Theme from Cosmos." Other tunes by the artist—whose pieces were incorporated into nearly every episode—are sprinkled throughout the collection, including well-known works like "Alpha," "Pulstar" and "Beaubourg, Part II." Renowned synthesizer wizards Isao Tomita, W.J. Boydstun and Larry Fast contribute notable numbers, too, which appear alongside such popular songs as "Aquarius" and the blues-guitar instrumental "Fly ... Night Bird."

"Spring" from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, "Mars, the Bringer of War" from Gustav Holst's The Planets and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter Festival Overture" are among the many orchestral compositions featured on the discs, along with more modern concert works like "'Vishnu' Symphony No. 19, Op. 217" and "Prayer of St. Gregory" by Alan Hovhaness. Other noteworthy cuts are Louis Armstrong's rendition of "Melancholy Blues" and the folksy "Bulgarian Shepherdess Song," both tracks that were placed on the special recordings sent aloft on the two Voyager spacecraft—the third and fourth manmade objects to leave our solar system—in 1977.

Multicultural melodies that tantalize

In an attempt to communicate the idea that the universe is not some distant, unknowable entity, Cosmos creator Carl Sagan often proclaimed that "we ourselves are made of starstuff." By extension, all of the tunes crafted by humanity must therefore represent the "music of the spheres." While those individuals unlucky enough to have experienced an earsplitting heavy-metal concert might debate that point, The Music of Cosmos categorically proves that, at least over the past few centuries, people have written some genuinely stellar songs. From enduring symphonic selections to modern electronic creations, these CDs offer an exceptional and, in some respects, quite educational assortment of moving and meaningful melodies.

The most enlightening aspect of the collection is the understated way it demonstrates that music is truly a universal language. Tomita's synth-based "The Sea Named 'Solaris'"—in part an homage to the renowned Russian film Solaris—combines original harmonies with themes from a pair of Johann Sebastian Bach compositions, exhibiting a plainly progressive, multicultural air. At the same time, works like "Mars, the Bringer of War" and Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" readily reveal that some of the most cherished elements of John Williams' Star Wars score are rooted in timeless, classic masterpieces.

Many collectors revere the original, single-disc version of this recording as one of the finest soundtrack compilations ever crafted for a television series. This updated, remastered assemblage indisputably improves upon that edition, providing lengthier orchestral excerpts and a number of tunes—including a previously unreleased Vangelis piece titled "Comet 16"—that were not contained on the initial album. The Music of Cosmos: Collector's Edition is, quite simply, a wonderful group of memorable melodies arranged in an eloquent and engaging manner.

One other variation between this CD and the original release is that, while the same work may be listed on both recordings, in many cases different ensembles perform the compositions. Regardless, the new presentation remains excellent. — Jeff

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