1 |
Only
For Love (Theme Song) (5:21) |
2 |
Waiting
(2:05) |
3 |
In
The Bamboo Forest (4:09) |
4 |
Longing
In Silence (woman) (2:14) |
5 |
Behind
The Mask (1:43) |
6 |
Sword
Dance (1:49) |
| 7 |
Punished
Soul (1:38) |
8 |
Lost
Days (2:08) |
9 |
Desire
(1:11) |
10 |
Exile
To Snowy West (2:16) |
11 |
Longing
In Silence (man) (4:18) |
12 |
A
Duel of Minds (1:33) |
13 |
Bridge
of Sacrifice (3:19) |
14 |
Horsemen
In Black (2:29) |
15 |
After
Tonight (2:33) |
16 |
Lady
In Red (2:04) |
17 |
Revenge
(1:41) |
18 |
Play
within a Play (4:11) |
19 |
The
Banquet (Theme Music) (3:37) |
REVIEW
Sure,
it may be a certain Ziyi Zhang who shone in Feng Xiaogang’s
latest movie epic. But as far as this soundtrack is concerned,
the starlet to listen out for in this album is her co-star
Zhou Xun. Just listen to her croon in “Longing in Silence
(woman)”, and you’d be as heartbroken as this
reviewer is.
Although
this track lasts only for two-odd minutes on the 51-minute
album, its sets an essential emotional backdrop for you to
indulge yourself in the entire listening experience. Accompanying
her are two other vocalists from Mainland China who contribute
their operatic voices on tracks entitled “Only for Love
(Theme Song)” and “Longing in Silence (man)”.
Yes,
we are as bewildered as you when we saw the track titles.
If
you understand Mandarin, the lyrics on these tracks could
have a depressing effect on you. If not, you’d still
be moved by the melody and music grand arrangements.
Elsewhere, Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun scores the motion
picture with his usual engaging beats and rhythms. Fans of
his previous works Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and
Hero (2002) will find his style familiar, with heavy use of
strings, flutes and ethnic percussions. The result is an interesting
fusion of Eastern and Western sound which will appeal to the
modern score listener.
For
his latest work, Tan works with renowned pianist Lang Lang
on his compositions. Listening to tracks like “In the
Bamboo Forest” and “Sword Dance” will have
you believe that you are in a concert hall listening to this
talented Chinese pianist furiously tinkling the ivory keys
on the piano. Meanwhile, you may feel the characters’
heartache, betrayal and sorrow in moving tracks like “Exile
to Snowy West” and “The Banquet (Theme Music)”.
This
is not an album where you expect a showcase of traditional
Chinese orchestral instruments. Instead, be prepared to be
stirred by some lush compositions penned by Tan, and several
brilliant performances by Lang. Kudos to whoever came up with
the idea of bringing these two talents together on this project.
And
if this soundtrack scores at any major awards, we Asians can
have another thing to be proud of.
SOUNDTRACK
RATING:
Review
by John Li
|
