Science Fiction Music

The music of Science Fiction is as important as the sights and story. The score immerses an audience in the mind of the author, serves as the backdrop to the story and carries an emotional payload that surrounds the scenes, transporting a listener to the conclusion of the film. And so, Nebula Magazine is curating some of the best musical scores from SF film and recordings for your entertainment or just an afternoon of thoughtful repose.

Blade Runner opening theme

Blade Runner 1982 after 4 decades needs no introduction. The score by Greek composer Vangelis is recognized world wide for the haunting electronic phrases particularly from this opening theme simple named 'Main Titles.' 

 

White Rabbit 

Written in 1865 by mathematics professor, Lewis Carroll Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a children's fantasy story. It details the story of a young girl who follows a rabbit down a hole and enters a different world of anthropomorphic creatures ruled by a harsh queen of hearts. The tale was meant to both entertain children and perhaps be a lesson in morality for adults.

This video by The Cave Dwellers, an the original Chicago Garage Band of the 60s which disbanded after the 70's, reformed by chance and recorded this classic in 2015. White Rabbit was written by Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane 60 years ago and continues Carroll's fantasy vision of entertainment combined with lessons from the human experience.

The Day The Earth Stood Still, 1951

20th Century Fox, produced by Julian Blaustein and directed by Robert Wise

Film score by Bernard Herrmann, 16:41

Tracks: 

1 - Prelude / Outer Space / Radar                               10 - The Elevator / Magnetic Pull / The Study 

2 - Danger                                                                    11 - Panic

3 - Klaatu                                                                     12 - The Glowing / Alone / Gort’s Rage / Nikto 

4 - Gort / The Visor / The Telescope                            13 - The Prison

5 - Escape                                                                   14 - Rebirth

6 - Solar Diamonds [not used in film]                           15 - Departure

7 - Arlington                                                                  16 - Farewell

8 - Lincoln Memorial                                                     17 - Finale

9 - Nocturn / The Flashlight / The Robot / Space

Not essentially sci-fi but rather labeled a series of Sagas Epic: The Musical is a nine-part series of concept albums with music and lyrics by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. A sung-through adaptation of Homer's Odyssey inspired by musical theater

The Doctor Who theme music is a piece of music written by Australian composer Ron Grainer with electronic sound by Delia Derbyshire at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop 

 

Composer Dimitri Tiomkin wrote this score for The Thing From Another World (1951), which is considered his "strangest and most experimental score."[

If you heard this in the 60s, you know where you were

From the 1950 release of George Pal's Destination Moon an opening sequence from Composer Leith Steven's score