Customer Reviews

Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (1985 Film)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have listened to other Phillip Glass works. I find Phillip Glass to be abstract, like a Rothko painting. It is mesmerizing and challenging, but rarely does it take you a level of passion that this work, Mishima, does.

Perhaps it is the subject matter. The complex and not easily explainable life of writer Yukio Mishima.

The movie studies the odd life of Mishima by examining his novels. The underlying themes of self-obsession, narcism, deep passion, and aweseome forces of beauty through death, are captured very well through musical expression.

Each piece captures some essence of its subject matter, without being pandering or obvious. Other than the wind chimes in the Intro, there are no obvious references to Japanese music, ala Madame Butterfly.

The melodic elements are most certainly western, yet its interpretation of the human feelings behind each of the stories is quite universal and rises above stereotype. You need not love Japan or Japanese music or literature to love this work.

It uses the traditional dramatic structure of a movie to move you from scene to scene. The final climax of Mishima's suicide is understood musically, as the the climax of a life's work. Whether or not we morally agree with Mishima's act, it serves as a symbol how each us move to some sort of great work of art which is our own lives.

This is one of the most passionately spiritual pieces of music I have ever heard. Like all of Phillip Glass' scores, it stands well on its own as a seperate entity. Perhaps because of the subject matter and most definitely because of Glass' overt bent towards Eastern spirituality combined with his western rhythmic sensibilities, this disk is essential. I can't recommend it enough.

for me at least. This was the first CD of his where the full emotional potential of his music was realized. Some credit is due the Kronos Quartet who have never been better then they are here. And the remainder goes to PG for moving beyond the confines of strict minimalism to incorporate elements of traditional melody and harmony within the rhythmic structure of his compositions.

This is accessible, powerful, emotional music and has never worn out its welcome.

BTW, the final scene in the Truman Show uses the main theme of this soundtrack, so if you found the triumphant "rush" of that finale compelling, you will love to hear the rest in this soundtrack.

I was first introduced to the soundtrack from Mishima in 1986 by a young woman from LA. That may have been a part of why it stayed close to me... but I was entranced by Phillip Glass' music.... and this was the first I had ever heard from him! I sought out other Glass works, but none enthralled me as Mishima had done. I kept a crude cassette copy of this soundtrack for many years... until it wore out, frankly! 15 years later I remembered the haunting movie music, and bought the CD. Now, more than ever, I wanted to see this film! It did not do well at the box office and was supposedly under-rated, but Glass' music was definitely it's saving grace. I was completely captivated with the film as I watched... but I constantly found myself following the music, and not paying attention to the screen. It brought the sad and weird story of Mishima to life... yet it stands completely on it's own. The Kronos quartet performs marvelously. The music never leaves you!.... never!

I saw Mishima when the film came out in 1985 and have always been impressed by the score. Not only is the music beautifully descriptive of the scenes of the film but it also is music that can be enjoyed apart from the film. The tracks on the disc follow the progress of the film from the opening and November 25 music on to the closing. The brooding music of track 4 - The Temple of the Golden Pavilion - is marvelously conceived, building slowly in intensity. Osamu's Theme is scored for electric guitar and violin: an interesting coupling and the guitar is also used very effectively in Kyoko's house where a synthesizer joins.

The Kronos Quartet are the stars of the performers and convey the brooding intensity of the music magnificently. The Runaway Horses track is close to a mini-string quartet and is a nice example of their playing. This is a short film score and I would have liked a more expanded booklet but it is a joy to have this wonderfully descriptive music at hand. The score by Philip Glass is so integral to the complete enjoyment of Mishima that without it (just like the narration by Roy Scheider) one cannot separate it from the film images.

Anyone who thinks that so-called "minimalist" music cannot be emotional should give "Mishima" a try. The opening track starts quietly, but quickly builds to a thrilling "wall of sound." (Turn up the volume!) There are many other moments of more contemplative beauty in this CD. It's a "must" for anyone interested in innovative music.

There are some soundtracks that seem to steal the show, and this is definitely one of them. It brilliantly captures the inner turmoil and dreams of a man, with sound that rings in your mind long after the movie is over. Reminiscent of Cello Suites by Bach with touch of modern synthesizers, it has very complex depth that is simply captivating. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

Yep, it's Philip Glass all right. The same sparseness, the same sense of quiet foreboding, the same two-chord minor key arpeggio out of which the man has built an entire career. What's different about this album is the instrumentation. Glass has abandoned synth-and-woodwind arrangements for a string quartet (with a little electric guitar thrown in for good measure). The resulting feel is warmer, less avant-garde and more like traditional classical music. To my ear, this shift in tone brings out a richness in the music that makes this his best work, but even if you prefer your Glass icy, the Mishima soundtrack is a side trip worth checking out.

This album works even if you are not a Phillip Glass fan. The music is never boring, and has the grand sweep of the movie, but is much better than the movie. If you are new to Glass, this is a good one to start with. He is an original, and the music here is both mesmerizing and dramatic.

This is a great film. Any fan of Mishima will love it. A triad of Mishima's life, several of his stories and the last day of his life is well presented.
Philip Glass's score compliments it all.