SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET
Rating: 
Original Review: I have to admit that, when I went to see this movie, I was less than impressed with John Williams' score. It left me cold and uninspired, even to the point where at one time I thought that Randy Edelman's Dragonheart music that was used in the trailer was better than the proper score. However, once I bought the CD I realised what I had been missing: it's one of those rare occasions where the score on CD actually sounds better than it does in the film.
Essentially this is a monothematic score, but the main theme that Williams has created is nothing short of inspired: utilising the wonderful cello solos by Yo-Yo Ma to great effect, it's a grand and epic piece heavily weighted with bass and underscored with multi-layered strings to create a tremendously emotional reaction from the listener. But it's not a cheerful theme by any means: continuing with the darker tones he started in Nixon and Sleepers, it's a serious and, in some ways, quite tragic melody which, I suppose, is quite appropriate considering the film's subject matter. Comparisons with Schindler's List are exaggerations, though. Never in his wildest dreams could Williams hope to come up with such a moving piece again - the theme from Seven Years isn't as harrowing or draining as Schindler's List, but doesn't have the grace and depth and feeling either, despite Ma's impressive and obviously heartfelt performances.
Track Listing:
- Seven Years in Tibet (7:08)
- Young Dalai Lama and Ceremonial Chant (2:14)
- Leaving Ingrid (3:43)
- Peter's Rescue (3:45)
- Harrer's Journey (4:05)
- The Invasion (5:08)
- Reflections (4:41)
- Premonitions (2:56)
- Approaching the Summit (5:44)
- Palace Invitation (4:46)
- Heinrich's Odyssey (8:03)
- Quiet Moments (4:21)
- Regaining a Son (1:48)
- Seven Years in Tibet (reprise) (7:13)
Running Time: 65 minutes 53 seconds
Mandalay Records SK-60271 (1997)
Music composed and conducted by John Williams. Orchestrations by John Williams. Contains extracts from 'Mahakala' and 'Yamantaka' written and performed by The Gyuto Monks. Cello solos performed by Yo-Yo Ma. Recorded and mixed by Shawn Murphy. Edited by Ken Wannberg. Mastered by Patricia Sullivan. Album produced by John Williams.
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Movie Music U.K is designed and maintained by Jonathan Broxton (c) 1997. All opinions and views expressed on these pages are my own and are in no way intended to reflect those of the University of Sheffield. All photos, multimedia and album artwork used on Movie Music U.K. are for non-profit making promotional purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.