Memoirs of a Geisha [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]
![Memoirs of a Geisha [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]](/images/Memoirs-of-a-Geisha-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack-B000BJS4TO-L.jpg)
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Music CD Cover
Brand: Baker & TaylorComposer: John Williams
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Soundtrack
CD Release Date: 2005-11-22
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Sayuri's Theme
- The Journey To The Hanamachi
- Going To School
- Brush On Silk
- Chiyo's Prayer
- Becoming A Geisha
- Finding Satsu
- The Chairman's Waltz
- The Rooftops Of The Hanamachi
- The Garden Meeting
- Dr. Crab's Prize
- Destiny's Path
- A New Name... A New Life
- The Fire Scene And The Coming of War- John Williams
- As The Water...
- Confluence
- A Dream Discarded
- Sayuri's Theme And End Credits
Free Music Notes for Memoirs of a Geisha [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]
Free Music Review: Beautiful and enjoyable piece.
Hit: 5 Stars
I have read tons of reviews that said that the movie does not portrait real old Kyoto. Neither the music, some people commented. That may be true but as someone of the who was born and brought up in Kyoto, I agree with Ken Watanabe's comment during the interview in which he said rather than being picky about how realistic it is, enjoy the fantasy of old Kyoto. I do have to admit that the movie may not show the real Kyoto - but what is real Kyoto? You cannot find this in modern Kyoto any more in any case, beside some remains from the past. The following review of this soundtrack is based on my understanding of this movie as a tale in the fantasy world. So I would not comment anything on how the music is close to Japanese music etc.
The music from this movie has one clear metaphor, "life is a river." Once I felt this, all the music started speaking to me.
1) Sayuri's Theme: Very calm yet strong music which portraits Sayuri's hidden passion for Chairman and to become a geisha in order to meet Chairman. This music beautifully shows Sayuri's personality which is not very expressive but deep and thoughtful as in the original book.
2) The Journey to the Hanamachi: This music illustrates Chiyo's and Satsu's anxiety of going to Kyoto, which was mysterious place for them. As the music continues, it shows the some elegance in Kyoto with the smooth sound of cello, against the deep sound which still shows their fear and anxiety.
3) Going to School: This music instantly makes me recall of Chiyo and Pumpkin running to school for the very first time. Compare to the deep sound in "The Journey to Hanamachi," the sound is light and cheerful which reminds me of the river in Kyoto in spring. Also the repetition of a certain melody makes me think of the practice at school.
4) Brush on Silk: This music shows a challenge that Chiyo was facing. Also this sound somewhat reminds me of a Japanese classic dance which requires the most skill and technique.
5) Chiyo's Prayer: It starts with the sound similar to the large bell in a temple or in a shrine, then it continues to the smooth cello and koto sound which represents geisha (at least to me). After the twinkling sound, it goes back to the deep cello sound portraying the very deep determination Chiyo made at that time. Beautiful, strong, and deep.
6) Becoming a Geisha: Very elegant piece with luxurious sound. I was literally taken into the world of transformation Chiyo/Sayuri went through. Suddenly in the middle of this music, it changes into a very rhythmical and speedy sound followed by cello playing the main theme. After this part, you do not see any piece of sad Chiyo at all.
7) Finding Satsu: Very fearful, anxious music.
8) Chairman's Waltz: This "not going anywhere" music is very sad, showing a very discreet passion of chiyo.
10) The Garden Meeting: The replay of melody from Chairman's Waltz portrays the hidden sadness Sayuri had. Then it plays the smooth flowing cello sound - which is like a flow in the river you cannot swim against.
11) Dr. Crab's Prize: This music is played when Sayuri goes through her mizuage. It is so much like "tea ceremony" in a sense, which she had to go through all the steps to come to this stage. As the music continues, the sound becomes stronger slightly showing the power or authority which Sayuri cannot go against.
12) Destinty's Path: This is exactly like a river. It starts from the small vibrating sound that reminds you of a chatter of the brook, then goes to a wider river. The sound becomes loud and small as if all the events in our lives. However the water moves within that river, they cannot go against the flow. This, to me, is like a destiny and the idea we have for the life is well represented.
13) A New Name... A New Life: This is very mysterious and elegant piece. It starts with the tinkling sound and the smooth cello. The music makes me feel wonder what would happen next, what would happen next, without giving me a clear answer to it. But in the middle, it starts revealing the path to the answer with some elegance.
14) The Fire Scene and the Coming of War: This is very different from the rest of the music. It really sounded like a "movie music" until it plays nagauta, the Japanese classic singing, saying "clam down this wave..."(I could not understand the whole lyrics.) Toward the ending, the music becomes dramatic, showing that something is coming. The war. There is no elegance or graceful sound played in other pieces and it tells us that the situation is now completely changed.
15) As the water...: This is very calm, sad, as if the one is killing onself in his/her mind, trying to forget everything.
16) Confluence: This piece is very beautiful, showing a dramatic "confluence" of people's lives.
17) A Dream Discarded: Very calm and sad piece which illustrates Sayuri's feeing like a wave - but very calm. You can picture her, recalling all the dramatic events occurred in her life but standing very calmly.
18) Sayuri's Theme and End Credits: The music comprises all the above elements into one piece. The starting point, transformation to geisha, dramatic emotional events happened in her life, sadness for not being able to go against the flow despite her passion etc.
Overall, the music is clearly interpretable, and the cello was beautiful. Most pieces have the some inspiration from the Japanese music and Asian music, which add the exotic hint in the whole music, in addition to the effect as the general sound track. I loved it and enjoyed it.
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