Search - Conrad Pope :: Pavilion of Women: Original Motion Picture Score

"superb score blending two cultures is ~ just beautiful"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 05/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From director Yim Ho and based on a novel by Pearl S. Buck comes a story from the late '30s, when China and Japan were in rebellion. We find our cast of Andre (Willem Dafoe), Madame Wu (Luo Yan), Mr. Wu (Shek Sau), Fengmo (John Cho) and Chiuming (Yi Ding), make up the main characters in this drama of conflict, love and intrigue.Our score is composed by Conrad Pope, who I might add is outstanding, combining both cultures through music. Much of the score is Chinese in theme, with choral blending throughout each measure dealing with the story-line ~ added for our listening pleasure is a selection from "Madame Butterfly", "UN BEL DI, VEDREMO" (Giacomo Puccini) sung beautifully by Eva Marton, even if you're not into opera, this will touch your innermost feelings.Now we have the stand outs of this moving score ~ "PAVILION OF WOMEN (MAIN THEME)", "THE NECKLACE", "THE LIBRARY", CHIU MING'S FAREWELL", gets the ball rolling with three cues dramactically arranged ~ "INVASION", just spectacular with choral arrangements and breathtaking performances ~ "ANDRE'S SACRIFICE", classical in content with such heartfelt tenderness. Must make mention of the people behind the scenes ~ Virginia Ellsworth & Luo Yan (soundtrack album executive producers) ~ and as always Robert Townson (executive producer for Varese Sarabande) ~ Erick Labson (mastered) ~ thank you for sharing in the beautiful and touching music for every film-score-buff to treasure and enjoy ~ here's hoping we have not heard the last from this highly talented composer ~ CONRAD POPE!Total Time: 52:27 on 22 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066-245-2 ~ (2001)"