Customer Reviews

Snow Falling on Cedars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you love the film, it's a difficult stance not to become critically biased over the soundtrack.

Here, Howard's work is such an integral part of the film's emotive feel that it can pull you back into the visual realm within a mere snap of the fingers. It's that good.

Offered here, is a mix of tracks ranging from synthesized layered textures to that full orchestra sound one has come to cherish. At times, a violin or cello 'solo' against either of the two backgrounds aforemenioned resonate the film's unrequieted love and a longing for innocence gone by.

With reference to Japanese aesthetics - a subtle hybrid (Western orchestra and Japanese flute/blocks/gongs) form underlies the soundtrack. It's not a radical concept but one that works successfully under slick production.

With 27 tracks and a sparse 67 minutes - many tracks are short. 'Carl's Fishing Boat' is the first of the tracks to place a series of 'echoing' strings found in later tracks. One moment the track is tender and then it leaps into a 'full sound' without becoming overbearing and still remaining true to its tenderness.

Other goodies are: 'The Strawberry Field', 'The Worst Kind of News', 'Snowstorm', 'The Evacuation', 'Snowangels', 'Can I Hold you Now?' just to name a few.

Do yourself a favour - run a bath, light some candles, hang up the phone, and enjoy some moments of true tranquility.

After reading the novel and seeing the film, it took me about two seconds to realize that I had to have this score . . . and I was not disappointed. What an amazing piece of work by Howard! I thouroughly enjoyed the novel by Gutterson and was moved to tears watching the movie, but the score outshines both of these. The music invokes a broad spectrum of emotions, from wonder (Hatsue and Ishmael Kiss) to heartache (The Strawberry Field--the best track), and sadness (The Evacuation and Tarawa) to bittersweet happiness (Snow Angels and Can I Hold You Now?). It is one of my favorite new soundtracks, and I'm positive it will remain in my collection for all time. Buy "Snow Falling On Cedars"--it's worth every penny and you certainly won't regret it.

This soundtrack is a real pleasure to listen to - you get a LOT for your money here. Beautiful, tender, haunting music. Newton Howard is once again proving himself to be one of the best contemporary film composers. I highly recommend this CD - haven't seen the movie yet but if it is as good as the music we're talking Oscars come March 26, 2000.

This is one of the most awesome scores I have ever heard! It has true emotion in it (unlike anything John Williams has ever come up with). It comes purly from Howard's heart. You can't just listen to one track to see how wonderful this music is; you have to hear them all and how they connect with one another. It is awesome. James Newton Howard is the best film scorer I have heard yet, although he is way underrated. He has certainly shocked the world with his new "Disney's Dinosaur" and "Atlantis" soundtracks that have come out within the past couple of years. He is a composer you should keep your eye on. He knows music and he sure has an ear for it! It is worth every penny. You will be glad that you bought this one.

Combining new age influences with traditional string pieces, the score composed for "Snow Falling on Cedars" is yet another piece of music making that truly inspires its listeners. It contains emotion throughout the entire album, adding so much to the brilliance of the movie is was made for. James Newton Howard has done a masterful job in giving us cutting-edge vocals combined with deep bass penetrations and haunting strings to convey the melancholy and depression the film is so wonderful for. I found myself crying just thinking of the different scenes in the film as the music played, and was completely satisfied with the score. A true winner, for those in the mood to depress themselves or listen to excellent music!

After seeing Snow Falling on Cedars and having my breath stolen by the incriticate shots and the music that accompanied them, I hurried out and bought the CD. The CD is wonderful. It soothes me, nice for just relaxing. I can almost see the Pacific Northwest rains falling outside my window, as some of the tracks play. I love tracks 4, 9, 20, 27, and some others... but they are all wonderful and nice to listen to at different times. I highly would recommend this CD, especially if you liked the movie as much as I did!

This Soundtrack is a hauntingly beautiful blend of sounds, utilizing New-Age music instrumentation, full orchestration, and Choral choruses. It is best appreciated if one has seen the movie first. The selection of instruments, voices, and phrasing, are expertly blended to draw the listener into the various moods and messages of the movie. Having purchased the CD after seeing the film, I have listened to it dozens of times, and can still see the beautiful movie images in my mind each time. I have visited these islands where the film is located , and have sailed the same waters, so the music and the images are very real.

I have not listened to entire CD, but I had the chance to see a special screening of the movie. The music completed the film. The kabuki drum would bang at the correct moments. The cello and the organ fit the movie perfectly. This soundtrack completed the already very sensual movie.

I've been a big fan of James Newton Howard for years now. I believe that what makes him one of the best composers of the modern era is his great variety in styles. Although he is probably mostly known for his (very) dark, heavy, bombastic compositions (e.g. King Kong, A Perfect Murder, Devil's Advocate), he has also composed light, cheery scores (e.g. Peter Pan), energetic, captivating music (e.g. Waterworld), romantic (e.g. The Prince of Tides) as well as sensitive and emotional scores (e.g. The Village).

Unlike many other great composers, Howard not only uses large orchestras with the traditional instruments for his compositions. For example The Grand Canyon and Primal Fear have as main instruments synthesizers and/or electric guitars.

Snow falling on Cedars is one of those compositions that involves traditional as well as non traditonal instruments and at times choirs singing like it's the end of an opera. The atmosphere of the different tracks can change from frightening or theatrical to peaceful and relaxed to emotional and sensitive. All tracks have a slightly depressing undertone but in a beautiful way.

Although this soundtrack is probably best compared to The Village, in a sense it's almost a 'best of' cd because in the melodies you'll find many similarities to a great lot of his other soundtracks. But because it also has a very distinct flavour this soundtrack stands proudly on its own.

When listening to it, already during the first few seconds the music captivates you and you'll experience moodswings from the beginning to the end. After listening to it a couple of times, I discovered the music really grows on you.

Definitely one of my favourites from Howard!

Fell in love with this hauntingly beautiful music while watching the movie. Outstanding. Oftentimes, soundtracks sort of fade into the movie and are not memorable. The music added greatly to the "feel" of this movie. Especially, the emotional scenes. As one reviewer said, you will appreciate this music much more having seen the movie. Excellent!