Description
Another favorite from theHaromi Hosonocanon. This was the score for the first animated adaptation of The Tale of Genji, a sprawling piece of 11th century literature written by noblewoman Shikibu Murasaki, considered by many to be the first modern novel in recorded history. (Isao Tomita later write his own symphonic adaptation of the story.) The anime was directed by Gisabur Sugii, and while it only covers a small part of the epic storyline, the score is highly ambitious.
Unlike much of Hosonos catalogue, here synthesizer mostly acts as an atmospheric texture and instead puts traditional Japanese instruments, particularly koto, flute, and drums, front and center. Whats really astounding about this soundtrack is the layering of instruments, piling them up until they become unfamiliar: droves of fingerpicked strings sound like a hive of insects, waves of gentle hand percussion feel like the swells of inhales and exhales, processed flute suggests the shrieking wind. Despite a pervasive mysteriousness, and even ominousness, this is unmistakably gorgeous music, and structured in such a way that it will appeal to fans of more conventional synthetic ambient musicbut retains a feverish futurist-classical elegance all its own. via Label
Label: Victory
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Clear Edition
Reissued: 2025 / Original Release: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Stage & Screen
Style: Soundtrack, Experimental, Ambient
File under: Japanese Electronic
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