Star Trek at 60: A missed opportunity
I attended the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s 60 Years of Star Trek & Beyond concert on Oct. 15 with my brother, a devoted fan who had eagerly anticipated the evening. Despite moments of brilliance, we left disappointed.
John de Lancie was delightful as Q, bringing wit and humour throughout. The WSO musicians were magnificent and the conductor deserves recognition for his enthusiasm and energy. When performing familiar Star Trek scores, from the original series’ fight music to the sweeping film themes, the orchestra was outstanding.
Unfortunately, the second half lost its momentum.
Composer Nick DiBerardino’s original works offered a different interpretation of Star Trek. His Tapestry piece was interesting, if lengthy, while the mariachi homage to Q was hilarious.
However, his Darmok and Jalad composition was another matter entirely. Its seemingly endless, repetitive xylophone sequence became exhausting. My brother leaned over and remarked that it sounded like a CD skipping. I couldn’t disagree.
This isn’t criticism of the musicians, particularly the talented percussionists, but rather the decision to devote so much time to one experimental composition.
In a radio interview before the concert, de Lancie remarked, “A Star Trek audience is a really educated audience and they’re willing to go places.”
I appreciate that sentiment, but being open-minded doesn’t oblige an audience to enjoy every artistic experiment.
With 60 years of extraordinary music from composers such as Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner and Alexander Courage, surely more time could have been devoted to celebrating that legacy.
The evening eventually returned to familiar themes, but ended far too soon afterward.
The musicians delivered. The conductor delivered. De Lancie delivered. Unfortunately, the programming left us wanting.
Star Trek has spent six decades boldly going where no one has gone before. That evening, I wished we’d spent more time appreciating where it had already been.
MATHEW MACMILLAN Winnipeg