The orchestra only version of Alexander Courage's memorably off the wall original theme opens the album, although the opening fanfare has become the most well known Star Trek musical trade mark. The Trouble with Tribbles wasn't the most serious episode of Star Trek, but was an amusing and light weight adventure given an inspired score by Jerry Fielding. The most obvious invention is his descending trombone slur which sounds so high because it was recorded, speeded up and overdubbed in the final mix. How many composers would make the effort to write something like that today? Hardly any I would wager. The mood is light weight and playful with only a little more drama during Big Fight, but it's hugely enjoyable, witty and tuneful.
Jerry Goldsmith's theme from the films was watered down somewhat for The Next Generation and there seems to be several difference mixes and/or recordings of the arrangement. Some work better than others, but this one is better than others I've heard, even if it still loses the inherent grandeur of the original arrangement. Ron Jones was sadly dismissed from writing Trek music as he was deemed to write music that was too tuneful or interesting. A great shame since he was one of The Next Generation's finest musical contributors. Heart of Glory is more adventurous than many of the TNG episodes and the music is a potent mixture of percussive moments for the Klingons, with fifths giving a nod to Goldsmith's big screen Klingon motif. For the sections where we see through Geordi LaForge's VISOR, Jones uses ethereal synths which do slightly date the music, but are none the less extremely effective.
Jerry Goldsmith might be the uber composer for the big screen Treks, but Dennis McCarthy is almost certainly the biggest contributor to the contemporary small screen adventures. He was therefore charged with penning the theme for Deep Space Nine, a series that never became as popular as it deserved to be. The earlier episodes were a little variable, but it soon hit its stride with complex and epic stories together with some first rate acting. McCarthy's theme is a wistful trumpet theme and perhaps the most suitable Trek television theme ever composed. The loneliness is perfect, but when the station became a more important hub of activity, the new arrangement featured here with driving bass and percussion was used. The upgrade works very well, so we now have two great versions of a superlative television theme.
McCarthy's scores used to be more adventurous until Rick Berman took total control and felt a wash of strings and horns was more suitable. Trek music did then become a trifle dull, but for many of the more introspective episodes, worked extremely well. The Visitor isn't exactly ground breaking, but does have somewhat more drama and tension with superb use of a minor to major chord progression which tugs at the heart strings most effectively. The suite from Voyager's Heroes and Demons is more exciting with some slightly over the top brassy fanfares composed for a superior early Voyager episode (another series that was vastly improved in the later stages). The increased action in more recent Treks has evidently rallied the composer to write some more interesting scores and this is certainly great fun.
The suite from The Inner Light by Jay Chattaway is a delightful concert arrangement of a melody that was central to the episode. It's not a particularly complex arrangement, but the gorgeous melody is arranged in such a way that the orchestra compliments the central penny whistle without overpowering it. A final mention should go to Jerry Goldsmith's lovely Voyager theme which, like McCarthy's effort for DS9 is noble, but slightly adventurous. Unfortunately, a slightly unsightly digital edit to produce this extended version is rather unwelcome.
The Original Series almost certainly contained the most invention and this album highlights the slightly samey sound of the more recent scoring. However, McCarthy's selections are above average efforts and very enjoyable, even if they aren't as inspired as Jones' Heart of Glory. A superior slice of television music with suites that present the best of the music at just the right length. Sound is good, especially from The Original Series, which unlike many contemporary television shows was recorded in stereo with much care and sounds good considering the age.
Rating ~ 
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Courage/Goldsmith - Arranged McCarthy)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Dennis McCarthy)
Star Trek: Voyager (Jerry Goldsmith)