Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Beautiful. February 15, 2001
Joshua Kaufman (Cincinnati, OH)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
Emipre of the Sun is certainly one of the lesser known scores by John Williams, but don't let that fool you -- it very much has the high quality his music is known for.
The score starts off with a wonderful choral arrangement of the Welsh folk tune, 'Suo Gan'. This melody is a favortie of mine, this this is probably my favortie version. The other non-Williams music, the patriotic British march 'The British Grenadiers', is another favortie in yet another wonderful arrangement.
Williams's own music is quite a mixed grabbag. 'Jim's New Life' is a happy "bustling town" town type piece, while 'The Streets of Shanghai' is a rousing action piece. There are two more choral tracks as well, 'Liberation: Exsultate Justi', and 'Exsultate Justi'. Both are basically the same, but are extrememly wonderful, and prove that Williams is as much a master of choral writing as he is of fanfares and sweet themes. This theme is easily one of the great ones.
!But no review of this soundtrack could exist without mention of 'Toy Planes, Home And Hearth'. This piece is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. It's simple and elegent, yet masterful, and worth the price of the album alone.
Overall, I feel this is a must have for all score fans. It's easily on the same level as Williams's other masterworks. Just get it.
Awesome music for an awesome movie... January 5, 2002
Billie Huntley (GA United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This has got to be one of the best movie soundtracks ever! When you listen to it you can feel the emotions expressed in the movie...when you hear the music in the movie, it really tells how the people are feeling and it really sets the mood. I like celtic music a lot, and some of the songs on here (Suo Gan,and Exsultate Justi) are just my style. It has beautiful orchestrations and it is just a really beautiful soundtrack. John Williams was the person for this soundtrack...great job!
Sends chill's up the spine... September 28, 2002
Sir Adam of Scots ((please remember to vote!!))
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Whether or not you have seen Empire of the Sun bears no matter on the strength of this soundtrack. It is one of John Williams finest moments, and will live up to the standards of most soundtrack fan's. If you have seen the movie, and disagreed with the critics of the time, you would probably agree that the music is half the movie. The sounds surrounding many haunting images are a testimony to Spielberg and Williams infinate ability to collaborate. John Williams is also known to be a huge thread that connect's both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, some of the greatest directors of our time.Empire of the sun, with both it's timid and aggressive tracks, will help you during need of inspiration. ~s.a.o.s.~
Fave Rave - Top Ten January 8, 2001
Theresa Blevins (Cedar Hill, Tx United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The soundtrack or the story, which is more memorable? Actually there is no separating the two. It is a perfect union. I love Toy Planes, Hearth and Home. I play it in my home by my hearth. I think of Jim and how perfectly the music conveys the warmth of the hearth and home and the love and security of his parents that he missed so dearly. Suo Gan is haunting and innocent. It is has a simple purity and sweetness. It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. I have always loved the British Grenadeirs. I suppose it does not seem to match the other songs, but when you know the story it works perfectly. And then there is Exulate Justi. This is one of those songs where you imagine yourself meeting the composer and in gratitude and admiration, saying "Thank you for the magic." I don't care for some of the darker music...those times when Jim was in danger. But the album is well worth getting just for Suo Gan and Exulate Justi. Still there are at least 3 or 4 other additional songs that are great too. I think anyone who hears this CD will enjory it and listen to it often. It is especially good music to curl up to on a cold winter's night.
Timeless April 17, 2006
Peacekeeper (New York, NY United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The soundtrack of this movie was undoubtedly instrumental in making Empire of the Sun the amazingly beautiful movie that it is. With the first track alone, SUO GAN, which is actually a Welsh lullaby and not a Japanese song, you'll find yourself riveted and drawn to the time and place and story of Jim. The beauty of listening to this soundtrack is sitting back, and reliving the scenes from the movie in your head. It is timeless, bittersweet and triumphant all in one.
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