Anna & The King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

George Fenton (Composer), Robert Kraft (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: George Fenton, Robert Kraft
• Audio CD (December 21, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00003G1O4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,136 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. How Can I Not Love You

2. Arrival at the Palace (Main Theme Title)

3. Meeting the Children

4. Tuptim

5. Letter of the Week

6. House

7. Rice Festival

8. Rajah Attack

9. Anniversary Polka

10. "I Am King, I Shall Lead"

11. Flowers on the Water

12. Moonlit Beach

13. Betrayed

14. Chowfa's Death

15. Execution

16. Anna Returns

17. bridge

18. I Have Dance With a King

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

George Fenton delivers on his soundtrack for Anna and the King with an instrumental score that deftly mixes sweeping orchestrations with ethnic percussion. The main theme "Arrival at the Palace" begins with a very exotic violin solo that quickly blossoms into an epic orchestral movement seemingly ready to crescendo at a moment's notice (and it does!). Shorter cues such as "Letter of the Week" and "The House" are passages that perfectly convey the movie's exoticism and its melancholic moods. Throughout, Fenton's music seems to balance between excitement and sadness--the perfect sonic interpretation of The King and I's classic tale. Obviously, many folks will turn to this soundtrack for Joy Enriquez's Babyface-produced single "How Can I Not Love You," included at the very beginning of this disc. One hopes they'll stick around long enough to enjoy the film's score, one of Fenton's very best. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful masterpiece, December 30, 1999

By	S.Y. Wong (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

The score to Anna and the King is a beautiful landscape of multiple layers. With its percussive liveliness and majestic undertones, this score is one of a kind and it could well be the best classical film score of 1999. Of course, many would compare it with The Last Emperor, Kundun and Mulan, all of which contain Oriental influences. And compare them I did. But rather than repeating the status quo of what Oriental music is thought to sound like, I feel that Anna and the King is in a class of its own with lyrical melodies and aural qualities never before explored. With this unique identity, it re-defines the boundaries of musical scoring. Featuring a diversity of East meets West, the score fuses the best of Oriental and Western musical influences to give the listener a kingdom of so long ago. The percussions and bells are very characteristic of Thai culture, and these are very well utilized to evoke the majesty, the suspense and of course the tender moments of the film. I believe George Fenton has composed his best score to date with Anna and the King. Had the score been longer, say 77 minutes, that would certainly have been heaven! Nevertheless, at 59.13 minutes, this CD will keep the listener entertained for up to an hour.

There are a few surprises. For example, on track 15 entitled The Execution, the piano takes centre-stage. Instead of a pounding motive, Mr. Fenton's choice of piano music has the ability to focus our attention on the lovers (Tuptim and Balat) rather than the execution process. By doing so, we are thus able to connect with the characters rather than just listening to the execution scene.

The score works remarkably well on its own. Tracks are of sufficient length to keep the listener well-entertained and even the shortest track of them all does not end abruptly. To this end, Mr. Fenton's meticulous attention to detail is awe-inspiring. Take a listen to track no. 5 "letter of the week". As the music swells mid-way through, imagine a giant dragon boat sailing down a river and the hill-tops in the background are covered in a thick mist. I must say that having watched the film only once, the music was powerful enough to evoke vivid images from the film everytime I listen to the CD.

The CD is well-arranged and there is never a dull moment. The recording is good. Sound quality is well-regulated with deep bass and spatial resonance all round. It felt like I was there in the concert hall with the orchestra playing.

My only minor disappointment is the vocal love theme song on track 1. Somehow I felt that it should have come at the end, thus making way for the main title to better establish the opening scene. The song is simplistic, perhaps a little unsophisticated. But my baby sister enjoys it. So there is beauty in simplicity after all! And I suppose this CD has something for everyone!

It is a score that should be listened to with closed eyes in a darkened room. No words, no expressions can describe the inspiring power, the grandeur and tender compassion of this score to Anna and the King. And with Mr. Fenton conducting his own compositions, that's an additional mark for quality and craftsmanship.

Its Golden Globe nomination bears witness to its impressive artistry. Please give the Oscar to George Fenton for a masterpiece well done!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music That's Fit For A Golden Globe!, December 23, 1999

By	The Fingers On My Keyboard - See all my reviews

Honestly, I haven't watched "Anna and the King" yet, but judging from the score arranged so skilfully even for its commercial, I found it almost obliging the need to get this movie's soundtrack. Luckily for me, I wasn't disappointed, and it's no wonder that it's been nominated for Best Score in the upcoming Golden Globe Awards!

Though the musical composer is American, he has managed so magically to capture oriental moods, adding splendidly to the authenticity of a film set in havenly Thailand. Away from the various impressions the different images from the movie give you, the score proudly makes Asia - Thailand, in this case - an "audible" sanctuary. The title theme from the movie needs special mention because it is so moving, yet so strong, conveying the peaceful mystery of oriental life, and simultaneously transcending the love of Anna and the King. Every track is non-repetitive, has a meaning of its own, and brings tears of triumph and poignancy to one's eyes. The best thing is, you never get sick of crying while listening to this!

Frankly, the love theme is a bad snoozer on its own - there just isn't the punch of emotion we search for in a love drama's score (and it is anyone's guess why it's been nominated for Best Song!). Still, with the rest of this soundtrack as satisfying as I've shown you to be, who cares? Pass of the love theme which is awkwardly not pop yet non-classical - just enjoy the rest of the music!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic, December 30, 1999

By A Customer

One of the most moving soundtracks I've ever heard...the soundtrack to Anna and the King was what really made the movie the great movie that it was. The love theme is so beautiful and haunting, not only expressing the love of Anna and the king but also the forbidden love of Tuptim and Balat. The Execution music moved me to tears. I would definitely recommend this soundtrack to anyone who liked the movie.