Customer Reviews

Hero (Music from the Original Soundtrack)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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 kalediscopic medley of gorgeous sounds mixed with soothing waves of ancient music. This album tells a story of bravery, honor and pure emotion. This is one of those CD's that make you feel good and want to conquer whatever is ahead with confidence and light. Powerful, gorgeous and forever. Hero is a rare gem that will be treasured for centuries to come. You will become submerged in the gracious masterpiece and be amazed that people have the ability to create something so magnificent. Treat yourself and everyone you know to this rich blessing.

When I want to reconnect with my inner self and take a "time out" from my rat race life, I play either this CD or the sound track from "The Last Samurai". The theme from this CD stays in your head all day. If you like soundtracks, asian style muusic, classical music, and beauty, this CD has it all. I sometimes end up watching the movie again later in the week. I collect movie soundtracks and this is in my top ten.

After seeing Hero, one of the (many) things that stuck with me was the evocative soundtrack. It set a perfect backdrop to the artistry and beauty of the story.

After purchasing the soundtrack, I was reminded of many of the scenes I enjoy, especially the tracks for the fight in the chess house ("In the Chess Court"), and in the yellow wood ("Gone with Leaves"). "Longing" is one of the most hauntingly serene pieces of film music I have heard.

This is not, obviously, a CD to listen to while you do step aerobics.
The theme is repeated and varied often, evoking the way the film's story is repeated from different perspectives, but those with short attention spans may perceive it as merely repetitive.

Beyond its association with the film, this soundtrack is an incredibly calming work of art. To be enjoyed with a good cup of hot tea.
5 stars.

This soundtrack will appeal to people who love the movie Hero, or who is interested in traditional chinese music mixed with classical western sounds. One or two themes are picked up and reworked for other songs, so what you get from listening is a layering effect of repetition and reinterpretation. If you want a CD that has many different songs, then maybe this isn't for you. Personally, I think the soundtrack is gorgeous. Hearing a song like "Hero Overture" brings me back instantly to the world of the movie.

Tan Dun also wrote the score to *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, so it's interesting to compare the two soundtracks. Personally, I think the main tune in the Hero OST is more beautiful, but the variations upon themes in *Crouching Tiger*, more interesting.

Tan dun el gran compositor oriental alabado y premiado por su banda de sonido para "el tigre y el dragón" nos conmueve ahora con el sonido para una gran pelicula.
El tema principal en solos de violin a cargo de Perlmann es grandioso, vibrante y conmovedor, Perlmann como lo hizo hace 12 años atras con la Lista de Schindler, se siente y escucha muy comodo en estas interpretaciones un poquito alejadas de lo clasico.
Aun su gran belleza este tema se siente un poco repetido durante la escucha de todo el CD, creo que solo no parece an dos o tres track, por lo demas es de verdad música para los oídos.
Tambien es interesante escuchar el sonido dado a los momentos de combate con voces masculinas rugiendo al compas de marchas y sonidos orientales, verdaderamente exquisito.
Es un gran CD con grandes momentos, y la mezcla exacta de sonidos orientales, instrumentos tipìcos, una gran orquesta y coros de gran belleza. En definitiva una gran banda de sonido...

I can listen to this wonderful and inspired soundtrack at any time of the day or night and I feel better afterwards.

Hero is an exquisite score and Tan Dun has composed music of great passion and character for this film - which I loved.

The best films and film music are happening outside of Hollywood these days.

Sony Classical presents Tan Dun's award nominated score for "Hero", from director Zhang Yimou an epic film during the Qin dynasty featuring amazing martial arts, beautiful landscapes, breathtaking photography and haunting soundtrack...who could ask for anything more...but there is with Itzhak Perlman on Violin, Liu Li on Guoquin, You Yan is our Soprano and Chinese born Tan Dun as our primary artist on violin and conductor...not to mention Dun is also the arranger and composer of this first rate score.

A must have for all "film-score-buffs" with all the main ingredients of strings, brass, chorus and restless counterpoints that leaves your mouth watering for more..."FOR THE WORLD-THEME MUSIC", expressive asian counterbalance of times long ago from another place, beautiful and haunting..."GONE WITH THE LEAVES" and "WARRIORS", are stand outs that sonically satisfy the palette.

Tan Dun's score brings back memories of the Golden Age of composers like Max Steiner, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Elmer Bernstein, Franz Waxman and Miklos Rozsa...Dun's music has undeniable power, the main title sequence is that rare thing in film music...composing one of his most colorful and exuberant scores...always with a hint of freshness...this is an extremely good listen, even if you haven't seen the film...a soundtrack that stands on its own, just the way "film-score-buffs" like 'em!

Total Time: 51:44 on 16 Tracks ~ Sony 87726 ~ (8/24/2004)