Ryuichi Sakamoto Film Music

Chitose Okashiro, Piano
Ryuichi Sakamoto Film Music

A Tribute to N.J.P.

"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
The Fight

"The Sheltering Sky"
The Sheltering Sky Theme

M.A.Y. in The Backyard

Ex-Jazz

1919

"The Last Emperor"
The Last Emperor

Grasshoppers

"High Heels"
Main Theme
Kisses
Tacones Lojanos
Plaza

A Flower Is Not A Flower

Distant Echo

Parolibre Album Description

a way of interpretation

Do not suspect a Sakamoto style of playing the piano on this album.
A little confusing, but this album is mainly performed by a Japanese woman.
Altough her technique is almost fabulous with lost of dynamic playing and fast scherzo's
there is a lack of quit and introspective moments.
So, it is not Sakamoto style, but okay, something different.

Jan April 18, 2008

Right as rain.

The first song on this album, "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," is perhaps the most emotionally charged piece of music I have ever heard.

Needless to say, Sakamoto captures Japanese themes, not only of cultural folk of the last 200 years, but ancient, ancient melodic themes in his beautiful selection of notes for this first song. It is overwhelmingly moving how Sakamoto conjures such a spectrum of emotions from a single instrument in only one song. "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," is such a heart pulling song that it nearly brought non-sensical tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. Sakamoto evokes regret and longing, submission and desire, quietness and halcyon, roaring passion, and contentment not only in the first song of this cd, but delivers through the entire listening experience

This disk is an eclectic collection of some of Sakamoto's best works, and is highly recommended for those who enjoyed the soundtrack to "The Last Emperor," or even those of you who enjoyed the soundtrack to the recent film, "Lost in Translation." This Cd is as satisfying as it is an investment that emotionally continues to give back.

Highest recommendation May 7, 2004

More reviews at Amazon.com ...