Soundtrack Review: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Posted by Jon Blough

January 12, 2009

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memoirs of geisha sk74708 Soundtrack Review: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) This is a review of the motion picture score for Memoirs of a Geisha by John Williams.

Memoirs of a Geisha stands tallest among John Williams’ prodigious output for 2005 for its superb themes and its superb integration of Eastern instrumentation and styles into its Western orchestra. Sayuri’s flowing theme is undeniably gorgeous, heard best in the soulful solos of Yo-Yo Ma and the extended variations of “Becoming a Geisha” and “Sayuri’s Theme and End Credits”. Same praise goes for the Chairman’s theme, a waltz immensely appropriate for the dance the story’s two lovers take towards each other. Itzhak Perlman’s solos have a hint of melodramatic tragedy to them but are still immensely attractive, as is the theme’s performance in “The Garden Meeting”. A few other propulsive rhythmic motifs exist throughout, but the major selling point for most listeners will be the above classic melodies.

In addition to the Eastern chord patterns the above themes (moreso Sayuri’s theme) take, Williams throws in lots of traditional instruments for many highly entertaining and unique entries in the composer’s canon. The jingling percussion in “Going to School” will have listeners bouncing in their seats. The rapid-fire plucking of “Brush on Silk” and the clacking drumming to close “The Rooftops of the Hanamachi” are satisfying jolts of energy in an otherwise relaxed listen. The shakuhachi flue hits are mixed well with the surrounding ensemble, much lighter than James Horner’s uses of the instrument. The only bump in this score remains the mixed bag of the more dark underscore. The revolving rhythms of “Chico’s Prayer” and “Destiny’s Path” are hypnotic, but the shakuhaci-dominant “Dr. Crab’s Prize” and “generic Williams horrific buildup music” in the first half of “The Fire Scene and the Coming of War” will be skipped by most. Though the extensive use of soloists will draw comparison to the more affecting work in Schindler’s List, this score is more than strong enough to stand on its own and remains the composer’s last great work of the decade.

Original Album (61:02)
1. Sayuri’s Theme (1:31)
2. The Journey to the Hanamachi (4:06)
3. Going to School (2:42)
4. Brush on Silk (2:31)
5. Chiyo’s Prayer (3:36)
6. Becoming a Geisha (4:52)
7. Finding Satu (3:44)
8. The Chairman’s Waltz (2:39)
9. The Rooftops of the Hanamachi (3:49)
10. The Garden Meeting (2:44)
11. Dr. Crab’s Prize (2:18)
12. Destiny’s Path (3:20)
13. A New Name… A New Life (3:33)
14. The Fire Scene and the Coming of War (6:48)
15. As the Water… (2:01)
16. Confluence (3:42)
17. A Dream Discarded (2:00)
18. Sayuri’s Theme and End Credits (5:06)