Customer Reviews

The Illusionist

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have just seen the wonderful new movie "The Illusionist" which was amazing in its own right. However I must say that the new score by Philip Glass enhances its impact considerably. For many, the genius composer has already produced his masterpiece with "The Hours" score. That is a wonderful work of art but I always felt his music suited better to period pieces, the only example of which up until now was his score for "The Secret Agent". Returning home I immediately played that album and I was sure of my opinion. Both his scores for The Secret Agent and The Illusionist have a grand baroque feeling in them, incredibly operatic and sensual as well. They sweep the listener effortlessly into a bygone area and almost tell the story of the film by themselves. One could watch both films without any dialogue and effects and can still feel satisfied with the end result. I take my hat off to the directors of the aforementioned films for their willingness to put aside all their egocentrical concerns and submit the outcomes of their months-spanning efforts to a man who obviously goes and tells the story of their films with music once again. Bravo Mr. Glass for this amazing new score!!!!

For those of you who frequently dislike Glass's work, don't be too quick to judge this one. For those who love his work, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Glass has taken a healthily large step outside of his esteemed minimilism style and brought about a wonderful score that fits the movie perfectly. While maintaining his personal touch as a composer with his repeated arpeggios, complex rhythmic and metrical elements and brilliant use or orchestration, he manages to weave colorful melodies and dramatic builds that, after having seen the movie, I could not imagine any other composer providing as well adept or fitting a score. Quite possibly one his best works to date and I cannot stress enough how perfect it is for this movie.

Some of our finest classical music composers have written brilliantly for the movies: Shostakovich, Britten, Prokofiev, Korngold, Stravinsky are but a few of the names that come to mind. Add, now, the name of Philip Glass to that gifted group - his score for the film THE ILLUSIONIST is not only a fine addition to the mood of this period film, it is also a step in orchestration growth for Glass.

While everyone praised his sense of clarity and minimalism in his score for THE HOURS, an approach that so keenly fit Cunningham's story, the movement into the 'romantic, lush' realm of the turn of the century musical climate that would have accompanied the story of 'The Illusionist' finds Glass scoring for a larger, somewhat more traditional orchestral palette. And as performed by the Czech Film Orchestra (the film was indeed created in Prague) it is a lush and elegant enhancement of the mood. Thankfully Glass' motif approach and minimalist thinking are not abandoned: anyone can readily recognize the musical signature of the composer in every bar of the score. The pleasure is that Glass measured his own ideas alongside the timeframe of the story, and as usual he got it just right.

This is one of those musical score soundtracks that stands well on its own and for those who are particularly fond of Philip Glass' music, this CD is one to own. Grady Harp, January 07

It's not often that a film's score is so captivating that it makes as strong an impression on me as the film's visual elements and writing. Philip Glass' score for Neil Burger's film "The Illusionist" is one such score that had me rushing to buy the CD. Set in Vienna circa 1900 in the world of the magic arts, the film's rich browns, blacks and elegant illusions work in concert with this score to create a transcendent, mysterious world where nothing is as it seems. There are many scenes without dialogue where the music says what words or actions could not. It literally pulls the audience into the film, enticing us to inch closer to the screen. The score is lush, haunting, with a big orchestra sound that is never overbearing but doesn't fade out of the audience's consciousness either.

There are 21 tracks on the CD for a total of 51 minutes of music. The tracks seem to radiate from the film's theme, "The Illusionist" (2:24), which introduces the CD. I don't know much about classical music. I can only describe this piece as velvety, dramatic, with 2 distinct layers of sound, and thoroughly captivating. It conveys the idea of a mystery of some substance. The music is itself a conjurer of things unknown. The other tracks are variably suspenseful, majestic, mysterious, ethereal, uplifting, contemplative, and occasionally even pompous.

Philip Glass' score for "Notes on a Scandal" was nominated for an Academy Award the same year he did "The Illusionist". I haven't listened to that score on its own, so I can't say if it is as good as this one when taken out of the context of the film. But it doesn't serve the film as well. The music of "Notes on a Scandal" functions primarily to heighten drama. I found the score, like the characters, to be overwrought in the last third of the movie, which put me off. It's obtrusive in a couple of scenes. The music for "The Illusionist" plays a more delicate and integral role and is more introverted. This is stunning music, in or out of the context of the film. I've listened to it nearly every day for months and haven't grown tired of it. There is an essay by writer/director Neil Burger about the music inside the CD cover insert.

This is my favourite score from a film this year. I listen to this a lot. Whether in the car or in the house. It's the type of score that I can close my eyes and be transported back to experience of watching the movie. I just wish that there was more of Philip's music on the cd itself.

The score to The Illusionist fit the film perfectly. The score bring a very mysterious and mystical feel to the movie. The title track gives you the entire feel of the movie. The title track sounds grand and elaborate, and it gives you that mysterious feel. The final track, "Life in the Mountains," gives a perfectly happy feeling inside. This soundtrack is a great addition to anyones collection.

I have seen this movie 5 times, loving it more (and noticing more) every time I've seen it. The music keeps reminding me how much I loved this movie, and I play at least once a day.

As a longtime Philip Glass fan, I knew that I would love the music as soon as I read that he had scored the soundtrack to this movie even before I saw it. After seeing the movie, I couldn't believe how perfect and appropriate the music was. I absolutely loved the movie but might go so far as to say I loved the Philip Glass score more than the movie itself. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone and purchased an extra one as a gift.

This score should have been nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Score for 2006, but Philip Glass was nominated (deservedly so) for his score to "Notes on a Scandal" (another must-buy CD) instead- both scores are magnificent. "The Illusionist" is beautiful, magical, romantic- a perfect complement to the great movie. Glass' music has always been about magic and aural illusions, and Glass was a perfect choice to be the composer for this film's soundtrack. Glass can write for strings like no other. BRAVO Philip Glass!

Also, the liner notes by the movie's director, Neil Burger, were wonderful- they illustrate completely why Glass is so awesome. I've met Glass on several occasions (I've been to over 50 Glass concerts since 1988)- Glass and his staff are class acts of the highest order.

This score won the "Critics' Choice" Award.

Also, Glass won the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Glass's award presenter, Danny Elfman, said of Glass: "Glass is the only composer who I consider an influence who isn't dead."

The music for the film The Illusionist adds enormously to your appreciation of the film, it underlines the mystery, the illusion, in the story, and heightens the emotion and fantasy elements. I loved the film, and listening to the music has made me more aware of what I loved about it. For example, the music begins with a major chord. Followed by a minor chord. This creates a sense of drama and shadow - sunlight obscured by darkness. Glass is also a master of melody, with a beautiful theme for the Sophie music. The Illusionist theme is dramatic and portentous, perfectly suiting the magical doings of the plot. This is a skillful, seductive score. If you loved the film, you will love the music.