An orchestral gem, full of emotion and drama., 27 Oct 1999

The music on this, the second CD of B5 music to be released, covers a period from the end of season 2 to early season 4 and includes one original (at the time) composition which was later shortened & incorporated in the season 5 titles.

Although about half of the pieces are named after actual episodes they are in fact rearranged suites comprising music cues taken from many episodes. However, some lengthy excerpts are present largely unmodified (notably the Shadow attack at Gorash 7 and Centauri bombing of the Narn Homeworld, included in track 4, Z'Ha'Dum).

Mid-period B5 was largely taken up with the growing horror of the Shadow conflict and the secession of the B5 station from Earth which gave rise to some stirring music, evoking the incidents concerned very well. The human cost of the drama is never forgotten, however, with quiet, introspective emotional passages present in equal measure (Z'Ha'Dum again).

The first B5 CD could be accused of sounding a little sterile in places but this soundtrack makes good use of haunting choral effects, lush strings and plenty of reverb.

Interspersed with the suites are mostly straight renditions of the main titles from Seasons 1-4. The real treat is left till the end, though, with "Voices of Authority", a majestic piece including original themes meant to evoke the ancient "First Ones" who walked the stars long before Humankind even existed.

Although a growing number "episodic" B5 CDs are available, the re-orchestration of these tracks into continuous suites helps to create far more of a mood than the stop-start of the bare music cues. Christopher Franke could easily give the Williamses, Goldsmiths and Horners of this world a run for their money and if you're a fan of superbly-written soundtrack music, or the show itself, you owe it to yourself to give this a chance.

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