Tonight on ABC Classic FM, Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 4 was played. The announcer made reference to a theme in the third movement that had inspired not only Jerry Goldsmith for his Star Trek theme, but Alexander Courage before him. The notes of the theme are almost identical to Goldsmith's Klingon theme, although the rhythm is different. Did Courage write a Klingon theme for the TV series? (I'd always assumed the Goldsmith's Klingon music was his own and not based on something composed by Courage.)
Sandy Courage only scored a couple of episodes and in none of them apear Klingons.
Gerald Fried however, did wrote some brassy Klingon-music for 'Friday's Child', wich was heard throughout the season (in non-Klingon moments). And there's off course Fielding's excellent suspense cues in 'Trouble with Tribbles', but I'm not sure they would qualify as Klingon-music.
Tonight on ABC Classic FM, Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 4 was played. The announcer made reference to a theme in the third movement that had inspired not only Jerry Goldsmith for his Star Trek theme, but Alexander Courage before him. The notes of the theme are almost identical to Goldsmith's Klingon theme, although the rhythm is different. Did Courage write a Klingon theme for the TV series? (I'd always assumed the Goldsmith's Klingon music was his own and not based on something composed by Courage.)
'Tis Ralph Vaughn Williams 6th Symphony, 2nd movement, that the V'ger flyovers evolved from, and the main title of Star Trek - The Motion Picture certainly bears a strong resemblence to something Vaughn Williams might have written. Perhaps one can read those notes of the Klingnon battle theme in the score of RVW's 4th, but I don't think that anyone can hear that theme there.
Check out "Coastal Command" on Silva Screen's Classic British Film Music for Vaughn Williams in battle mode.
I remember reading somewhere that Jerry Goldsmith himself admitted he was really into Vaughan Williams at the time he was working on STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE. You can also detect traces of his SINFONIA ANTARCTICA in there. The British composer really nailed a particular style when it comes to musically depict awe-inspiring vistas, with his full complement of organ, glockenspiel, percussion instruments. I guess it must be tough not to listen to his stuff and not be inspired by this great music.
And the ethereal, light as a feather divisi string writing in THE FINAL CONFLICT also shares quite a gew similarities with Vaughan Williams' style.
