Search - Tan Dun :: Hero (Music from the Original Soundtrack)

Beautiful as companion to the visual wonders of the movie

JCS | Ontario, Canada | 09/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While "Hero" has ghostly tendrils of familiarity to Tan Dun's prior work, I believe this soundtrack is unique, stunning and a wonderful auditory companion to the striking visual imagery left in the minds of the cinematic eye. Prior to becoming an owner of this particular soundtrack, I did my research on the internet, as the international import soundtrack had been released in Asia 2 years prior. One of the largest complaints from most reviewers was the startling similarity to the renowned score of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". What most people fail to notice with most soundtrack composers is that with each composer, there is a signature "je ne sais crois" in each separate film score that is composed. To the well-listened ear, the works of Hans Zimmer and John Williams (to name a few) can easily be picked up by their unique melodic estuaries or powerfully moving symphonic tidal movements. One must also remember that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is Asia's most prominent international export, and one of the first to be globally recognized. Tan Dun's "Hero" already suffers a bias in that to most, the different nuances in cultural music is overshadowed by it's lone representation of the asian soundtrack music genre. The instrumental work of Itzhak Perlman is, as always, a world class musician's touch to an exotic canvas. The use of traditional drumming and oriental instrumentation in combination with symphonic vocals is absolutely breath taking. While these opinions are mine alone, I urge you to approach this soundtrack with open senses and soak up the sounds of silk flowing in the wind, or sword play dancing in the rain."

Tan Dun - what more can you say...

pb109 | USA | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tan Dun is wonderful !

If you love Crouching Tiger soundtrack you will love this - in fact one song on this CD has the exact drum beat as one from CTHD. It is a little on the short side but a fitting score to an aewsome movie."

A Cultural Senstation to the Ears- Best overall soundtrack

Niall McCarten | Davis, CA USA | 01/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This soundtrack stands alone as a music CD. You don't need to see the movie which is a work of art itself to appreciate the music. Having seen the movies several times the CD brings back the imaging instantly partiucularly pieces like track 4 "Gone with the leaves" which is the the Golden Forest scene in the movie.

If you liked Tan Dun's soundtrack for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon I would be surprised if you don't like this equally if not more. The sensations you get from Itzhak Perlman's violin surprise me everytime I listen and amazingly they are even more inspiring than Yo-Yo Ma's cello in CTHD. The two soundtracks share common musical themes but after a few listens to each the differences are great and appreciable."