1 |
The
Painted Veil (3:18) |
2 |
Gnossienne
no.1 - written by Erik Satie (3:22) |
3 |
Colony
Club (2:08) |
4 |
River
Waltz (2:23) |
5 |
Kitty's
Theme (3:07) |
6 |
Death
Convoy (2:49) |
| 7 |
The
Water Wheel (6:20) |
8 |
The
Lovers (1:26) |
9 |
Promenade
(2:04) |
10 |
Kitty's
Journey (2:49) |
11 |
The
Deal (3:22) |
12 |
Walter's
Mission (3:55) |
13 |
The
Convent (0:50) |
14 |
River
Waltz - piano solo (2:26) |
15 |
Morning
Tears (1:51) |
16 |
Cholera
(4:22) |
17 |
The
End Of Love (4:34) |
18 |
The
Funeral (0:51) |
19 |
From
Shanghai To London (2:03) |
REVIEW
We
were rooting for composer Alexandre Desplat to take home the
Oscar statuette for his work in The Queen, especially after
his Golden Globe win for this refined score for John Curran’s
romance drama set in China. Alas, to our disappointment, he
wasn’t recognized by the jury.
But
the talented Frenchman still has our support, especially after
hearing how he has aptly composed a musical score which beautifully
paints scenic pictures of exotic China in our mind.
With
the help of Chinese pianist Lang Lang (whom we last heard
on the soundtrack of The Banquet),
this 55-minute album pampers us with track after track of
lushly-written music which plays like a piano concert performance.
Close your eyes and you’d imagine the gifted pianist
hitting those ivory keys of the grand piano on stage, accompanied
by other musicians in the orchestra pit.
The opening
track “The Painted Veil” is a fine example of
how repetitions of melodies work well when layered together.
Tinkling piano, smooth strings, Chinese flutes, drums and
synthesizers build upon each other to create one of the effective
main themes we have heard so far. Also, listen out for the
grand “The Water Wheel” which adds some action
to the otherwise subtle album.
The delicate
“Kitty’s Theme” quietly grows on you, while
the forceful “Walter’s Theme” is a nice
contrast where listeners are introduced to some traditional
Chinese cymbals and winds which we think add a nice touches
of variety.
Elsewhere,
there are somber tracks like “The End of Love”
and “The Funeral” which sheds light on the tragic
ending of the film, should you have not had the chance to
watch it.
When
the familiar orchestral sounds take over the solo piano in
the last track “From Shanghai to London”, you’d
have completed a satisfying journey to the East and back to
the West, thanks to the diverse musical flairs of musicians
Desplat and Lang.
SOUNDTRACK
RATING:
Review
by John Li
|
