Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (1985 Film) [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Writer-director Paul Schrader's films are always as memorable for their music as they are for their visuals--sometimes more so. Think of Giorgio Moroder's synthesizers pulsing through Cat People; think of Blondie's anthem for American Gigolo; think of Scott Johnson's remarkable score for Patty Hearst--and think of the full suite of music composed by Philip Glass for Schrader's ode to the deeply conflicted Japanese novelist Yukio Mishima. With its gilded, impressionistic set and its plot-eschewing cinematic vision, Mishima depended upon Glass's compositions for grounding. Despite the Japanese setting, the music is pan-global, typical of Glass's genre-absorbing minimalist style. A standout track is "Osamu's Theme," which features a catchy rock & roll guitar part against a string setting. And the album's quartets feature none other than the Kronos Quartet. --Marc Weidenbaum

Tracks:

Mishima/Opening
November 25: Morning
1934: Grandmother & Kimitake
Temple Of The Golden Pavilion ('Like Some Enormous Music')
Osamu's Theme: Kyoko's House
1937: Saint Sebastian
Kyoko's House ('Stage Blood Is Not Enough')
November 25: Ichigaya
1957: Award Montage
Runaway Horses ('Poetry Written With A Splash Of Blood')
1962: Body Building
November 25: The Last Day
F-104: Epilogue From Sun And Steel
Mishima/Closing

Amazon.com

Writer-director Paul Schrader's films are always as memorable for their music as they are for their visuals--sometimes more so. Think of Giorgio Moroder's synthesizers pulsing through Cat People; think of Blondie's anthem for American Gigolo; think of Scott Johnson's remarkable score for Patty Hearst--and think of the full suite of music composed by Philip Glass for Schrader's ode to the deeply conflicted Japanese novelist Yukio Mishima. With its gilded, impressionistic set and its plot-eschewing cinematic vision, Mishima depended upon Glass's compositions for grounding. Despite the Japanese setting, the music is pan-global, typical of Glass's genre-absorbing minimalist style. A standout track is "Osamu's Theme," which features a catchy rock & roll guitar part against a string setting. And the album's quartets feature none other than the Kronos Quartet. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews:

Mishima/Glass. You can't lose........2007-01-09

This is a great film. Any fan of Mishima will love it. A triad of Mishima's life, several of his stories and the last day of his life is well presented.
Philip Glass's score compliments it all.

Absolutely spectacular........2003-12-31

There are some soundtracks that seem to steal the show, and this is definitely one of them. It brilliantly captures the inner turmoil and dreams of a man, with sound that rings in your mind long after the movie is over. Reminiscent of Cello Suites by Bach with touch of modern synthesizers, it has very complex depth that is simply captivating. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

Glass's breakthrough...........2003-02-26

for me at least. This was the first CD of his where the full emotional potential of his music was realized. Some credit is due the Kronos Quartet who have never been better then they are here. And the remainder goes to PG for moving beyond the confines of strict minimalism to incorporate elements of traditional melody and harmony within the rhythmic structure of his compositions.

This is accessible, powerful, emotional music and has never worn out its welcome.

BTW, the final scene in the Truman Show uses the main theme of this soundtrack, so if you found the triumphant "rush" of that finale compelling, you will love to hear the rest in this soundtrack.

The music that never leaves you!.......2003-02-18

I was first introduced to the soundtrack from Mishima in 1986 by a young woman from LA. That may have been a part of why it stayed close to me... but I was entranced by Phillip Glass' music.... and this was the first I had ever heard from him! I sought out other Glass works, but none enthralled me as Mishima had done. I kept a crude cassette copy of this soundtrack for many years... until it wore out, frankly! 15 years later I remembered the haunting movie music, and bought the CD. Now, more than ever, I wanted to see this film! It did not do well at the box office and was supposedly under-rated, but Glass' music was definitely it's saving grace. I was completely captivated with the film as I watched... but I constantly found myself following the music, and not paying attention to the screen. It brought the sad and weird story of Mishima to life... yet it stands completely on it's own. The Kronos quartet performs marvelously. The music never leaves you!.... never!

Philip Glass on acoustic instruments.......2003-02-03

Yep, it's Philip Glass all right. The same sparseness, the same sense of quiet foreboding, the same two-chord minor key arpeggio out of which the man has built an entire career. What's different about this album is the instrumentation. Glass has abandoned synth-and-woodwind arrangements for a string quartet (with a little electric guitar thrown in for good measure). The resulting feel is warmer, less avant-garde and more like traditional classical music. To my ear, this shift in tone brings out a richness in the music that makes this his best work, but even if you prefer your Glass icy, the Mishima soundtrack is a side trip worth checking out.

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