Memoirs of a Geisha

[lovelysilence]

I love it so much, that i want to know a few things, not being very literate in symphonic music.

In Chiyo's Prayer the thick, warm layer of arpeggios under the solo's. What instruments is that?
Such a breathing bassy sound! I love it. And could one do this with EWQLSO Gold for instance? Is that really possible? I've not often heard such a gentle and soft movement by a symphonic orchestra.
And then the bells before the arpeggio starts again (at 2:12). Those beautiful bell sounds, very gentle. Anyone knows what that is called?

Thanks for any help.

[WoodIsGood]

I should receive the CD from amazon.com Tuesday. I'll listen and try to help out. :)

[dcoscina]

The use of music in the film is also brilliant. I wasn't expecting much from the film but I have to say it's one of the most artistically brilliant works I've seen come out of Hollywood in ages. Williams' music illustrates and captures Sayuri's angst, dreams, and fears so well. I was steamed when Williams lost the Oscar this year before seeing this movie and now I'm really disappointed he wasn't rewarded for a richly deserved 6th Oscar.

[Oneilio]

I thought the music in geisha was very appropriate. At times, it was magnificant (particularly when she is dancing on stage with the fake snow and umbrella-ish thing). The movie was kinda blah, but the music really is very authentic. very well done. Yea, i was hoping williams would have gotten an oscar for geisha or munich. oh well... :mad:

[lovelysilence]

Thanks WoodIsGood for the help.

It's a shame about the Oscar. Quality doesn't seem to be the Academy's concern.

[WoodIsGood]

Just listened to "Chiyo's Prayer". Those arpeggios are violins and/or violas under the first Yo-Yo Ma cello solo. (I actually read a review that said it was Itzhak Perlman playing the violin solo in this piece, but it's Yo-Yo Ma and his cello) Throughout the soundtrack Chiyo is represented by the cello and the Chairman is represented by Itzhak Perlman's violin. I'm not sure what the bells are exactly; they sound like some type of small handbells. The arpeggios you hear under the second cello solo are cellos. It really is a beautiful piece. As to whether one can recreate these delicate sounds in EWQLSO Gold . . . I'll leave that up anyone who wants to give it a try. I imagine it would take a considerable amount of work and somehow I suspect it would still not sound quite as intimate and expressive. But, you never know. :)

[lovelysilence]

Thank you man for the reply!


As I said i don't know much about orchestration and arranging. Yet i'm a bit familiar with strings, so my question is : why does it sound so intimate? why does it sound so deep and breathes like the wind playing in the sand?

I don't understand it, i'm baffled and amazed still. I play it 5 times a day. I can't believe that sound.

Thanks again for the reply.

P.S. (Is that just violas and violins (and eventually cellos) or are there more instruments playing too? And are the violins playing tremolo?)

[WoodIsGood]

I'll listen again and see. I suggest renting the DVD of the film, pop in the second disc and watch the music featurette. It has some interviews with the master himself, John Williams, and there is some footage of the recording sessions. The orchestra was quite small by Hollywood standards. If I had to guess based on what I watched, I would say there were about 10-15 violins, not sure of the violas, and maybe 6 or so cellos and a few basses. The brass and woodwind sections were quite small as well. The percussion section was large and there were quite a few ethnic instruments.

I don't think there's anything more in those sections you're talking about. It's very intimate and amazingly delicate and powerful all at the same time. When/if you watch the DVD segment you'll hear Yo-Yo Ma talk about John Williams' writing and he says that the music is so connected to the images and really speaks to the heart of the film and characters. I think they hand-picked some amazing musicians, along with Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, combined with Williams' brilliant writing, and the result is what you hear on the soundtrack. Check out the DVD. You won't be dissappointed.

[lovelysilence]

Thank you so much.

[Sherief83]

I liked the theme but it wasn't a hit to my ears for somereason. Maybe it's just me but I find the cello(yo yo-ma) being used for a young girl's theme is not my first choice and no I'm not suggesting bells and kiddy stuff either I just think it should've been the same theme but with a lighter instrument (flute? oboo?). It got better though when chiyo grew up. Maybe I need to listen to the sound track a couple of times. before I make a judgment..:D

*Runs to hide*

[dcoscina]

I think the cello is a great instrument for Chiyo/Sayuri. The somber, melancholic sound of the cello perfectly captures her life that is bereft of choices and freedom. There's a lot of harsh things that happen to this little girl very early on and I think the timbral characterstic of the cello both evokes sympathy for her plight and a quiet nobility in how she overcomes the rigors on the road towards being a geisha. At least that's how I see it.

[lovelysilence]

very well put in my opinion
i mean that's how i feel it too

[pappagheno]

I think the cello is a great instrument for Chiyo/Sayuri. The somber, melancholic sound of the cello perfectly captures her life that is bereft of choices and freedom. There's a lot of harsh things that happen to this little girl very early on and I think the timbral characterstic of the cello both evokes sympathy for her plight and a quiet nobility in how she overcomes the rigors on the road towards being a geisha. At least that's how I see it.

love this post on here.. ;)

most of the violins movement let me think about debussy le mer.. would like to try it too to make something similar with EWQL gold... maybe playing with the DXF.. I knwo is not the real stuff.. but would be very happy to get it similar ;)

I agree with teh Cello choice. I think it would be the only one to justify the sayuri feeling.
A violin would be too elegant and a oboe too happy and magic..

the cello is mostly not considered an important instrument like the violin so match perfectly to the personality of sayuri that has t oemerge wit hsomething extraordinary to make the difference

Then the cello gives you high notes that still feel the gravity , it doesnt really fly like a violin, and gives you some notes, sad and hard .. like the childood of sayuri..

A violin would be too melancholy compared to the cello that have sad colors but still have the "strenght to go on" ...like at teh beginning of the film they point out that sayuri was strong like the water...

well that how I explain to myself teh choice of the instrument.. and Ithink this choice make the difference in the music for this film

[Sequent]

Also agreed with the cello in this case. I also didn't really have high expectations for either the movie or the score, but having now seen the movie and listened to the soundtrack in more detail, I do agree that it was all very artistically and wonderfully done.

[zvenx]

Definitely one of my favourite William's scores.......

rsp