Customer Reviews

Naqoyqatsi

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Naqoyqatsi" (Hopi for "Life as War") is the soundtrack for the final part of the "Qatsi" trilogy of films by Godfrey Reggio. Let me say upfront that I haven't seen any of the films, although I've read about them. That said, I can review the soundtrack without visuals or prejudice about the film experience (most of the reviews I've read indicated that the film was disappointing), and can focus on the music only. Unlike many soundtracks, the music for "Naqoyqatsi" stands firmly on its own as a great score. The music, composed by Philip Glass (who also composed the music for the other two parts of the trilogy), combines digital and acoustic instrumentation, and it is Yo-Yo Ma's cello that gives the music its humanizing soul. This is the first collaboration with Glass and Ma, and it seems to be a match made in heaven. The film is about technology's adverse affects on humanity, so the juxtaposition of electronic and acoustic instruments underscores this message, with Ma's cello pleading humanity's case. The whole album is excellent, full, and powerful. I really like "Religion," with it's upbeat, playful spirit. The keyboards are mechanically precise although the rhythm is catchy, so when the soulful cello comes in, the contrast is startling. This piece is almost "fun" in comparison to some of the darker tracks. It makes me very curious about the film's visual images in this section. My favorite track is "Intensive Time," which is, indeed, intense. It is primarily acoustic with full orchestra, voices, and Ma's heart-rending cello. It swoops and soars with a continuous sense of urgency and mystery generated primarily by a recurring theme with percussion and French horns. The opening theme is dark and somewhat militaristic - giving a sense of foreboding and dread until the cello comes in and softens the mood. "Media Weather" is also darkly gorgeous, as the cello weeps with despair. "Naqoyqatsi" is an incredible musical experience - intense and thought-provoking with a huge emotional impact. Very highly recommended!

I've eargerly awaited the third installment in the 'Qatsi' trilogy since the late '80s. (At the time of this review, the film has not yet been released.) I have to say that I'm utterly intrigued by the music that I've heard. It's difficult for me to imagine what the accompanying visuals must look like based on the music alone. Glass' score for the film varies widely in speed and intensity, with moods ranging from joy to melancholy (via Yo-Yo Ma's expert cello). As with his other works for film, the music is quite capable of standing on its own.

As Glass has been doing for the last 10 years or so, he continues to expand his style into previously unexplored territory while keeping many of the trademark rhythmic devices which make his music instantly recognizable. Naqoyqatsi is not exactly like anything he's done before; it is refreshingly unique. (One of the most appealing tracks is number 5, "Religion", in which an instrument that sounds like a xylophone is used to great effect.) This soundtrack is lush and symphonic in scope and could never be classified as "minmalist", an old label that has been misapplied to Glass' work for years by people who have never moved beyond "Einstein on the Beach".

Legendary composer Philip Glass completes the "QATSI" trilogy in grand style with this soundtrack, easily the best new music of 2002.

So many people complain about buying a CD and only getting one or two good "songs"- here is 77 minutes of inspired music! This soundtrack should win an Academy Award and a Grammy for both composition and technical achievement in recording.

I'm keeping this review short- buy it and listen for yourself. You won't be disappointed. NAQOYQATSI is wondrously recorded and beautifully performed. A triumph and a perfect ending to the QATSI trilogy.

Yo-Yo Ma's beautiful and powerful cello solos never overwhelm the balance of the soundtrack. NAQOYQATSI means "life as war"- the overall impression the score gives me is a sense of foreboding- that we've already "lost the war" against technology taking away our humanity. The score isn't all doom and gloom, however- the range of emotions is phenomenal. Philip Glass is simply a genius.

I briefly wanted to offer some thoughts on the film itself... I am a huge fan of the work of Reggio and Ron Fricke, so I had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of "Naqoyqatsi". The last part of the trilogy is an unfortunate miscalculation. While the first two can be appreciated for its visual contemplations on the state of the world, there can be no denying that a huge part of the appeal was the aesthetic beauty of the images and music. This is what made the themes that were being explored so palatable and evocative. The problem with the third film is that the filmmakers HAVE decided to deny this. Of course, people will argue that that is the purpose behind the film... technology has become so pervasive in our world that natural aesthetic beauty is dead. Unfortunately, by deliberately and stubbornly stripping the film of these qualities in the name of thematic exploration, those very themes become obscured and inaccessible. The film would have ultimately been a dreary bore, with extremely few supporters, had it not been for the fine work of Philip Glass. The music is outstanding, and the film relies heavily on the music to give the film the aesthetic qualities that the visuals deliberately lack. And the music almost succeeds at this... the film is made watchable. It certainly can't completely save the film on its own, but it is unlikely that any music would have been able to. There is nothing to complain about as far as the music is concerned. This is some of the best music Glass has ever offered... on the merits of the music alone I would say that this is the best work of the trilogy... and that is saying a lot. It would be unfair to ask it to cover up the bitter disappointment that the film is, so it is best that the music be regarded as a stand alone work.

I'll keep my review brief as their are plenty of other opinions. I'm someone who saw the the first qatsi film in 1985 and was completely changed. I looked forward for years to the completion of this trilogy. The third film may disappoint you because it is so different visually. However, the soundtrack is a fitting end to the set. Yo-Yo Ma's cello is brilliant. When I replayed the soundtrack I instantly recallled images from the film. How much more can you ask? I can't rank this any higher or lower than the rest of the qatsi soundtracks. I read that Philip Glass intended this soundtrack to be more organic and warm to contrast with all the digital images of the film. I'm one of the biggest qatsi series fans and this is no letdown.

Philip Glass's music fit perfectly into Godfrey Reggio's brillant classic Koyaanisqatsi but on it's own it's repetitive intensity could drive you to insanity.In the second lesser film Powaqqatsi Glass got to use more variety as the film jumped from country to country making for a more satisfying soundtrack.Now with Naqoyqatsi Philip Glass using Yo Yo Ma and his cello for added haunted emotion has created a rich soundtrack more interesting than anything in the film itself!From the slow eerie opening Naqoyqatsi to the epic nightmarish Intensive Time the old Glass motives are here but expanded upon nicely.Unlike Koyaanisqatsi the music achieves a feverish intensity without becoming a redundant drone.Naqoyqatsi is definitely not easy listening it's a musical rollercaster ride that demands and deserves total attention.Academy voters missed out by not nominating Glass's most ambitious score.If you're a music fan Naqoyqatsi is a listening experience you shouldn't miss.

O.K. I remember being awestruck by the first installaion back in the early '80's. I have followed these film makers in all of their endeavors. Perhaps over the long years my interest waned some. I did not run out to see Naqoyqatsi, instead I casually rented it when I saw it was available. As the film opened and the first images appeared and the music started, my jaw dropped in amazement. The images,as interesting as they were did not impress me nearly as much as Philip Glass's score which I have to say, floored me!
To me, all of Glass's works are important. He is, I believe the most important composer today. I have enjoyed his work for the most part. This film score, however tops them all in its rich conveyance of mood and message. The brooding melancholy and swings of rapturous moments of orchestral fantasies are wonderful and thought inspiring.

Absolutely beautiful. Exceeds any expectations I may have had. Ties in with Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi soundtracks flawlessly. Mesmerizing, haunting, stunning. Am very anxious to see the film. Big fan of the other two Qatsi films. Brilliant.

I own almost all of Philip's recordings and I must say that this one is close to the top. This is a beautiful mix of his orchestral style with cello pieces that are more haunting than on Secret Agent. The recording quality is excellent and spatial. Naqoyqatsi is much more diverse than the previous titles in the ...qatsi trilogy. The only problem I have with that, is that some of the tracks are "only" about 7 minutes, where you wish they would go on for much longer (like Anthem did on Powaqqatsi).

It took me some time to get used to this soundtrack. I kept expecting the driving beats like those found on the previous two soundtracks of the Qatsi trilogy. But I learned that was really me imposing my expectations onto the music. There is definitely a similar 'feel' comparable to the other two but the music on this one is much more dreamy, ethereal if you wish.

Obviously it has a more 'classical' feel due to Yo Yo Ma's cello playing but it also stretches, even transcends, the classical genre and is much more atmospheric. It also carries you away. Just like the previous two soundtracks, over time it begins to dawn on you that another masterpiece has been created.