Legendary new age institution Mannheim Steamroller returns with the space-themed album Music of the Spheres, an 11-song collection featuring both new material and newly re-recorded favorites from their generous catalog. The opening piece, "Escape from the Atmosphere," captures the excitement of a space shuttle launch using authentic field recordings and NASA commentary set to a dynamic and uplifting musical score. Amid the album's other original tracks are a version of the Star Trek theme and two pieces from composer Gustav Holst's famed Planets suite ("Neptune, The Mystic" and "Mars, The Bringer of War"). With this collection, the group hopes to raise awareness of the benefits of space exploration.