Memoirs Of A Geisha
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Sony Classical, 2005
REVIEW BY: Roland Fratzl
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/17/2007
Though known and sometimes criticized for his leanings towards bombast, Memoirs Of A Geisha sees Williams stretch himself artistically in unexpected directions. Honestly, aside from the re-occurring “Sayuri’s Theme,” which acts as a vintage example of his heavy use of easily identifiable leitmotivs, the score is stylistically very uncharacteristic for him and a creative triumph.
Those wary of Williams’ trademark loud, unforgettable fanfares cementing their place in the consciousness of pop culture will instead find a subtle, forlorn approach throughout this album that never abandons the mysterious shroud of Eastern romanticism that it envelops you in. Driven by an inspired combination of world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s soulful, melancholy delivery, equally world reknowned violinist Itzhak Perlman’s aching, weeping passages (particularly on the hauntingly gorgeous “The Chaiman’s Waltz”) and frequent use of classical Japanese instruments such as shamisen, biwa and shakuhachi give the music a fascinating color and dreamy atmosphere that marries two very different worlds with some of the most elegant melodies Williams has yet penned.
Unlike many film scores that lose some of their purpose and potency when heard separately from the film in question, the music of Memoirs Of A Geisha stands tall as an artistic orchestral work all on its own.
Memoirs Of A Geisha is without doubt an ambitious triumph for John Williams, who proves with this release that even this late into his career he is still evolving as a composer, and was fully deserving of the Golden Globe (and Oscar nomination) he was awarded for this effort.