James Newton Howard Snow Falling on Cedars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Genres:Pop, Soundtracks Thanks to the success of pioneering musician-scorers like Hans Zimmer, the symbiosis of traditional orchestral tones with synthesized electronic elements has become one of film-scoring's most popular working methods. The u... more »nderlying reasons, however, haven't been always been particularly altruistic; a music software program doesn't have to work for scale. Composer James Newton Howard's score for director Scott Hick's telling of novelist David Guterson's interracial soap opera cum murder mystery is one of the best of the new genre, a seamless sonic wedding of the orchestral/choral/electronic, replete with appropriate ethnic instrumentation (is it real or is it Microsoft?). It's music that ranges dreamily from delicate flute passages and ethereal choral work to understated solo cello and percussive flourishes. This is what New Age music should sound like. --Jerry McCulley« less
Thanks to the success of pioneering musician-scorers like Hans Zimmer, the symbiosis of traditional orchestral tones with synthesized electronic elements has become one of film-scoring's most popular working methods. The underlying reasons, however, haven't been always been particularly altruistic; a music software program doesn't have to work for scale. Composer James Newton Howard's score for director Scott Hick's telling of novelist David Guterson's interracial soap opera cum murder mystery is one of the best of the new genre, a seamless sonic wedding of the orchestral/choral/electronic, replete with appropriate ethnic instrumentation (is it real or is it Microsoft?). It's music that ranges dreamily from delicate flute passages and ethereal choral work to understated solo cello and percussive flourishes. This is what New Age music should sound like. --Jerry McCulley
"Combining new age influences with traditional string pieces, the score composed for "Snow Falling on Cedars" is yet another piece of music making that truly inspires its listeners. It contains emotion throughout the entire album, adding so much to the brilliance of the movie is was made for. James Newton Howard has done a masterful job in giving us cutting-edge vocals combined with deep bass penetrations and haunting strings to convey the melancholy and depression the film is so wonderful for. I found myself crying just thinking of the different scenes in the film as the music played, and was completely satisfied with the score. A true winner, for those in the mood to depress themselves or listen to excellent music!"
Haunting and Powerful.
D. Litton | 01/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Soundtrack is a hauntingly beautiful blend of sounds, utilizing New-Age music instrumentation, full orchestration, and Choral choruses. It is best appreciated if one has seen the movie first. The selection of instruments, voices, and phrasing, are expertly blended to draw the listener into the various moods and messages of the movie. Having purchased the CD after seeing the film, I have listened to it dozens of times, and can still see the beautiful movie images in my mind each time. I have visited these islands where the film is located , and have sailed the same waters, so the music and the images are very real."
One of Howard's best!
Gerard R | The Netherlands | 02/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a big fan of James Newton Howard for years now. I believe that what makes him one of the best composers of the modern era is his great variety in styles. Although he is probably mostly known for his (very) dark, heavy, bombastic compositions (e.g. King Kong, A Perfect Murder, Devil's Advocate), he has also composed light, cheery scores (e.g. Peter Pan), energetic, captivating music (e.g. Waterworld), romantic (e.g. The Prince of Tides) as well as sensitive and emotional scores (e.g. The Village).
Unlike many other great composers, Howard not only uses large orchestras with the traditional instruments for his compositions. For example The Grand Canyon and Primal Fear have as main instruments synthesizers and/or electric guitars.
Snow falling on Cedars is one of those compositions that involves traditional as well as non traditonal instruments and at times choirs singing like it's the end of an opera. The atmosphere of the different tracks can change from frightening or theatrical to peaceful and relaxed to emotional and sensitive. All tracks have a slightly depressing undertone but in a beautiful way.
Although this soundtrack is probably best compared to The Village, in a sense it's almost a 'best of' cd because in the melodies you'll find many similarities to a great lot of his other soundtracks. But because it also has a very distinct flavour this soundtrack stands proudly on its own.
When listening to it, already during the first few seconds the music captivates you and you'll experience moodswings from the beginning to the end. After listening to it a couple of times, I discovered the music really grows on you.
Definitely one of my favourites from Howard!"
One of Howard's Best
Sarah C | East Coast | 03/23/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The fact that I haven't seen the movie or read the book, but still enjoyed the tranquil music is testimony to the strength of this soundtrack on its own. I'm hesitant to give it five stars because I don't feel it's on the level of The Thin Red Line or A River Runs Through It, but in this case, I could be comparing apples to oranges. One question-- does anyone know what piece was used during the trailers for the movie?"
