Stargate SG-1

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

When a movie is that successful with the crowd, it is not difficult to someday expect a series of it on TV, simply to let it gain more personal success. Of course, in history we have seen the good example from series to movie (Star Trek) and the bad example from movie to series (Robocop). Now Stargate SG-1 is a good representation and with MacGyver at the steering wheel, there isn't any problem in not enjoying it when it appears on the screen. The only deal was that the music of David Arnold for the original movie was a real hoot, I mean it was movie music at its finest and it really created this dimension of space that was unbelievably associated with the Stargate name. Joel Goldsmith, the son of Jerry Goldsmith is perhaps capable enough of handling a series like this but they aren't giving him any slack. When in reality, this score is basically 60% used material and 40 original. Of course I'm betting that its more material and that little variations are hardly noticed but it is still sad that the main material is David Arnold territory. So, whenever someone was hearing the awesome main theme or the exploding choral work, it was from the start David Arnold and not Joel Goldsmith. Kinda sad because we all were dying to hear what jr. Goldsmith could deliver of tone.

Now, I'm perhaps even a bit too negative sounding because from begin to end this score rocks, I mean ROCKS. Not unusual if you use one of the '90 grandest ass kicking scores. The begin logo music 'Main Title' is completely David Arnold territory with the short versions of the main theme and adventure theme. And then from the begin, Joel is inserting short snippets of original material like in track 2 or 4 but I think the best of the original material is found in 'Egyptology / Sha're / Aliens', this track uses Egyptian dance music and best some original fanfares that throw a new side to the style of Joel Goldsmith. It of course follows with Arnold's love theme of the original and even sounding close to Hans Zimmer's Egyptian mood setting of The Prince of Egypt. 'Apophis / The Ceremony / Escape' is one of the soundtrack's highlights with the multiple performance of the choral menace, used so powerfully in both the Stargate score as this one. One of the reasons why this is great music is that the choral theme definitely competes with the original performance and the multiple performance is most welcome. 'Entering the Stargate' offers us another side of Goldsmith, while he joyfully varies the themes of Arnold and 'Chosen for Life or Death' again uses the choral menace in full avand garde force.

Joel Goldsmith's best action side is in 'Final Battle / Ultimate Victory' and Arnold's action music resurfaces in the following namely 'SG-1 vs. the Aliens', another impressive highlight. For the last time the choral menace is used in track 11 and 12 again shows perfect variations on the Stargate thematic material. I am the first to mention that any music of this caliber for a TV show kicks ass, and if people simply adore it in the series, they will adore it in the movie and on the disc. But speaking of Joel Goldsmith's side, it doesn't suffice. This is no score that shows his unique own voice because he needs to stay so close with the borders of Arnold's music that it is a shame. I think that minimally half of the score, if even 30 minutes is the same developed music as in the original soundtrack. So, it doesn't offer a lot of new material. The one that does introduce itself as original and new is good but not spectacular, perhaps just the short rain of fanfares in track 5 proving me wrong. As a standalone listen from the original one, Stargate SG-1 doesn't really bring much diversity. But speaking just for the series and disc, the score is a definite pleasure that will please any Stargate fan of the movie, series or music.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (0.59)

2. Return To Active Duty / General Hammond (2.50)

3. The Bomb / Jack's Protest (3.06)

4. Jack's Story / Memory Of A Son (1.36)

5. Egyptology / Sha're / Aliens (8.09)

6. Apophis / The Ceremony / Escape (6.39) Excellent Track

7. Entering The Stargate (3.12)

8. Chosen For Life Or Death (4.15)

9. Final Battle / Ultimate Victory (8.47)

10. SG-1 Vs. The Aliens (5.52) Excellent Track

11. Choosing A Queen / The Test (3.26)

12. End Title (0.59)

Total Length: 50.20

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