Battlestar Galactica

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Free Music Notes for Battlestar Galactica

Free Music Review: Not a ragtag soundtrack...
Hit: 5 Stars

Otherwise, this is a great soundtrack CD. Battlestar Galactica tried in many ways to be the 'Star Wars' of television -- it was trying to capitalise on the success of Star Wars in the theatres the year before, and in so doing even used the same special effects teams and other devices developed out of that film. However, when it came to music, they did not go with John Williams (who did so much with films and science fiction), opting instead for Stu Phillips, and having the music performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The original theme for the pilot (later released as a feature film) was modified for the rest of the television series; that theme is unfortunately missing from this collection. However, this original theme has the characteristics that Battlestar Galactica music was known for -- orchestral crashes at the introduction long before they became standard fare as a synthesizer sample, loud brassy sections that trumpet the main line of the theme, and full orchestra participation -- this is not a band or a synthesizer production, but a real composition.

The various pieces of music are moody and sombre, foreboding and dark as the backdrop of the destruction of twelve worlds of humanity; the music of the enemy, the Cylons, is ominous and imperious, in keeping with their 'Imperious leader' and forbidding presence. There is one song that perhaps the producers hoped might become a pop song -- the song that was sung by the singers on Carillon. One thinks of the jig performed by the band in the Star Wars bar as Luke and Obi-wan negotiate for a ride; this is a backdrop also to a casino/bar where people are trying to escape. This song was performed by the 'Space Angels', not a real group in a true sense of the word.

With one exception ('The End of the Atlantia') these pieces are presented in the same order as they would fall in the film. The music is fun and interesting, not a half-hearted attempt at filler sounds by any means.

The new miniseries on television has a very different look and feel, and that extends even to the music. However, for one brief moment, the brass-heavy and triumphant-sounding Stu Philips theme can be heard as the Vipers make a fly-by. A good tribute, but it reinforced how much I missed the music of the original, which is happily available here.

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