THE PAINTED VEIL (Score)

 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Featured Piano Soloist:
Lang Lang
Label:
Milan Records
Year Release: January 7 2007
Links:

www.deutschegrammophon.com/

wip.warnerbros.com/paintedveil/

 

 



TRACK LISTING
1
The Painted Veil (3:18)
2
Gnossienne no.1 - written by Erik Satie (3:22)
3
Colony Club (2:08)
4
River Waltz (2:23)
5
Kitty's Theme (3:07)
6
Death Convoy (2:49)
7
The Water Wheel (6:20)
8
The Lovers (1:26)
9
Promenade (2:04)
10
Kitty's Journey (2:49)
11
The Deal (3:22)
12
Walter's Mission (3:55)
13
The Convent (0:50)
14
River Waltz - piano solo (2:26)
15
Morning Tears (1:51)
16
Cholera (4:22)
17
The End Of Love (4:34)
18
The Funeral (0:51)
19
From Shanghai To London (2:03)

REVIEW

We were rooting for composer Alexandre Desplat to take home the Oscar statuette for his work in The Queen, especially after his Golden Globe win for this refined score for John Curran’s romance drama set in China. Alas, to our disappointment, he wasn’t recognized by the jury.

But the talented Frenchman still has our support, especially after hearing how he has aptly composed a musical score which beautifully paints scenic pictures of exotic China in our mind.

With the help of Chinese pianist Lang Lang (whom we last heard on the soundtrack of The Banquet), this 55-minute album pampers us with track after track of lushly-written music which plays like a piano concert performance. Close your eyes and you’d imagine the gifted pianist hitting those ivory keys of the grand piano on stage, accompanied by other musicians in the orchestra pit.

The opening track “The Painted Veil” is a fine example of how repetitions of melodies work well when layered together. Tinkling piano, smooth strings, Chinese flutes, drums and synthesizers build upon each other to create one of the effective main themes we have heard so far. Also, listen out for the grand “The Water Wheel” which adds some action to the otherwise subtle album.

The delicate “Kitty’s Theme” quietly grows on you, while the forceful “Walter’s Theme” is a nice contrast where listeners are introduced to some traditional Chinese cymbals and winds which we think add a nice touches of variety.

Elsewhere, there are somber tracks like “The End of Love” and “The Funeral” which sheds light on the tragic ending of the film, should you have not had the chance to watch it.

When the familiar orchestral sounds take over the solo piano in the last track “From Shanghai to London”, you’d have completed a satisfying journey to the East and back to the West, thanks to the diverse musical flairs of musicians Desplat and Lang.


SOUNDTRACK RATING:

 

Review by John Li

 

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ABOUT THE MOVIE


. The Movie Review

. The Book Review

 

This review is made possible with the kind support from Universal Music


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