Nonsequittal Rumblings

Normally, I’m not a big fan of sound track albums. They are nice go with the memory of films or series. But usually, they don’t grab my attention enough to make me say mmmmm! And there’s a good reason to it too: the music contained in sound tracks are usually made to be background music. It’s not supposed to draw the viewer’s attention from what’s on the screen, but it’s supposed to help the viewers get into the mood.

HINOTORI is based on Tezuka Osamu’s masterpiece manga. In this story, Hi no Tori (phoenix) possesses special blood, which can give immortality to anyone who consume it. Through the multiple stories weaved into the series, the artists ask one of the most fundamental questions of life and death.

The music production for the series is just as grand. No fake orchestra is used in this recording, for a change! Czech Philharmonic is worldly renowned orchestra, and they’ve done a good job on these tracks. Some tracks are mix of orchestral work with some feeling of easy listening feelings. Those are so-so tracks.

Tracks I’m impressed more are those tracks set purely in classical mood, some of them played along with Niko, traditional Chinese musical instrument. Track 6, Shingun is a grand work, making me think of Mahler (symph no.2 mvmt1), Brahms (symph no.1), and Saint-Saens (symph no.3 mvmt3). Track 7, requiem is a string trio + Niko. It’s very beautiful. Track 8 is based on Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata, arranged for orchestra and Niko. It’s another beautiful track. It reminds me of Beethoven’s 9th, 3rd mvmt. Track 9 makes me think somewhat of Stravinsky’s ballet, Firebird.

I love symphonic works in general. And the composers/arrangers have done good work to match my taste! I just wished that more of this album was filled with these types of music.

I hesitated to buy this album. I’ve never bought sound track album in my life before this one. And I’m very glad of this purchase. I’m grateful for NHK for planning and producing this series, and doing a fabulous job at it.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004 at 4:17 pm and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.