A must-have for fans of the Emperor of Japanese cinema
Victor W Wong | Ottawa, ON Canada | 09/07/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"THE FILM MUSIC OF AKIRA KUROSAWA contains tracks from a selection of the film director's best-known films, with the exception of the ground-breaking RASHOMON. It is by no means comprehensive (none of Kurosawa's works from the 1940s are represented) but the tracks selected are a strong overview of the director's career.The tracks range from a simple re-mastering to complete re-arrangement. The first track, SUITE FROM THE SEVEN SAMURAI, is a selection of themes from the film. Much of this is taken from the intermission music which plays between reels, which includes the Farmer's Drone and Drums, the Samurai March, and the themes of Kikuchiyo and the Romance Theme.For the most part, the opening credits music is selected from each movie. Of these, YOJIMBO and THE HIDDEN FORTRESS are probably the most accessible to Western listeners, with the latter being reminiscent of an epic Ben Hur and the former evoking the opening images of Toshiro Mifune walking.Less successful are the modern re-arrangements from the later films, some of which sound like elevator music. The track from SANJURO, for example, has been re-arranged to evoke a loping, "lone cowboy" romp. (To be fair, of course, much of SANJURO's original music was taken from YOJIMBO, and there may not have been enough incidental to make a self-complete track.)Listeners should also be aware that some computer-based CD players may have timing problems with the tracks. All in all, however, fans of Kurosawa will be delighted with this album."
A must for Kurosawa Fans
Paul A Santos | Colorado, USA | 06/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When you watch a kurosawa movie there are many things that strike you. The camera tells a story that is just so beautiful. But the music has such an important part in making the movies a work of art. All the music on this cd is excellent. They are the final piece of kurosawa's movies that made them more than just movies but timeless pieces of cinema."
Kurosawa
reel07 | Sad Hill Cemetery | 06/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"THE FILM MUSIC OF KUROSAWA contains music from almost all of the great master's films (with the exception of SUGATA SANSHIRO, his other early works, and RHAPSODY IN AUGUST). If you are a Kurosawa fan, this CD is for you. It has music from all of his films, going from SEVEN SAMURAI to DREAMS. It is an excellent music compilation, featuring highlights, if not, all of the music, from Kurosawa's movies, whether it's the drum-banging theme of SEVEN SAMURAI, or the Russian requiem choir from DERSU UZALA, or the end theme from KAGEMUSHA, and lots more. It is truly an enjoyable CD to listen to. With the music score from many great Japanese musicians, you can visualize the scenes from all of his great movies. Even if you just like a few songs from Kurosawa's movies, it is highly doubtful that you will be dissapointed with this CD. Tracks: Music from the following Kurosawa films:SEVEN SAMURAI (12 minute suite), IKIRU (theme), RECORD OF A LIVING BEING, THE THRONE OF BLOOD (main theme), THE LOWER DEPTHS, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (theme), THE BAD SLEEP WELL, YOJIMBO (theme), SANJURO (song from trailer), HIGH AND LOW (theme), RED BEARD (suite, does not have chime-ambient song in film and featured on DVD menu), DODES'KADEN (suite), DERSU UZALA (Russian requiem), KAGEMUSHA (end theme), RAN (battle theme; edited), DREAMS (theme) ,VOICE OF KUROSAWA (saying "Ready . . . Action!")*Note: All the songs are remastered in stereo, not redone or re-orchestrated. Good stuff!"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1