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Snow Falling on Cedars

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Author	Topic: Snow Falling on Cedars

Brigen Oscar® Winner	Does anyone know who composed the music for this trailer? It does not sound like typical JNH stuff.
posted 11-21-1999 03:13 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	Hey there Brigen, I DLed the trailer and watched it, I'll be seeing this movie, looks good. As to the score, I loved it and have no idea where it came from. It might be from the movie, that would be cool, but it sounds to me like a Thomas Newman score of some kind. Howard has been known to have many different styles in his music, this might be a new one. Any one else have any comments? --Crono/Kyp Writer/Director/Producer PS: You might want to post this question in the "Trailer Music" topic folder so that other people who come here might have the answer to this question will be able to find it easier. [This message has been edited by Crono/Kyp (edited 11-23-99).]
posted 11-23-1999 07:58 AM PT (US)

ScoreLogueVance Oscar® Winner	ScoreLogue Web Magazine www.scorelogue.com Snow Falling on Cedars Music Composed by James Newton Howard Decca / Universal **** A Haunting Atmospheric Experience! 1999 for James Newton Howard has been a year full of haunting compositions. With the exception of Mumford, Howard has produced some of his most effectively atmospheric work to date. And with Snow Falling on Cedars, the listener finally gets a sizable score in length (over 67 minutes) to really enjoy Howard’s passionate piece. Cedars also marks quite a growth for Howard as he moves into new territory with Eastern sounds and a kind of subtlty that proves to be very powerful. Not unlike the film of Angela's Ashes, this novel of forbidden love is a highly anticipated adaption of widely popular novel. This story of a man charged with killing his childhood friend becomes even more complicated when the Japanese woman who loved them both must decide where her heart truly belongs. Howard takes this highly emotional tale and creates a score that transports the listener to a different time, place and feeling. The opening of the CD, "Lost in the Fog" slowly builds a web of haunting, yet luminescent romantisicm that continues to build with Eastern instumentation in the form of a Shakuhachi and a gorgeous choir that weaves in and out of the piece. It ios this last ingredient that will remind one immediately of Howard's gothic masterpiece, Flatliners. However as Flatliners turned from choir to more chilling and thrilling sounds, Cedars travels down a more melodramatic route that is represented in the best tragic romances of the past. The fifth cue, "Kendo" uses the choir/gothic love story theme to the hilt. Howard seems consistently enthralled with his Eastern motifs and it is easliy apparent that his preparation for the composition was well thought out. His themes begin to build more near the end of the CD with a louder choir but still effectively undertsated music highlighted by more percussion, highlighted by the "Tarawa" theme. Even more interesting is the fact that Howard never gives into the courtroom-thriller music one might expect from a film about a murder trial. Instead Howard's music becomes a backdrop for the characters, as they struggle with society's expectations and fight their own conflicting emotions as well as the exotic Easern world. Te last three cues "Snow Angels," "Can I Hold You Know?," and "End Titles" bring on a deeply emotional end that perfectly illustrate Howard’s talent as a skilled dramatic craftsman. Cues - Total Time 67:30 1. Lost in the Fog (2:59) 2. Carl’s Fishing Net (2:52) 3. Moran Finds the Boat (1:12) 4. Hatsue and Ishmael Kiss (1:42) 5. Kendo (0:51) 6. Driftwood Hideaway (1:49) 7. The Strawberry Field (3:54) 8. The Worst Kind of News (1:07) 9. Seven Acres (1:53) 10. The German Soldier (3:13) 11. Snowstorm (1:53) 12. Coast Guard Report (3:13) 13. Typeset (1:39) 14. The Evacuation (6:34) 15. Cortroom Montage (1:34) 16. Susan Marie Remembers (1:36) 17. The Defense (1:46) 18. Snow Drive (1:29) 19. Typing (1:41) 20. Tarawa (4:09) 21. The Battery (0:46) 22. Carl and Kazuo Negotiate (1:44) 23. Humanity Goes on Trial (4:47) 24. New Evidence (1:23) 25. Snow Angels (2:30) 26. Can I Hold You Now? (4:47) 27. End Titles (6:14)
posted 11-29-1999 09:41 AM PT (US)

Al Oscar® Winner	Vance, By saying ATMOSPHERIC do you mean that this is 67 minutes of minor motifs like Mumford and Stir Of Echoes or is there an actual main theme or more? I enjoyed Mumford and Stir Of Echoes but I also miss hearing Howard's great talent for writing many themes. DAVE, for instance, one of my favorites, has many! Is SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS a visit back to his earlier works? Not in style, but in the amount of thematic material? I have been wanting this score for a while. After your review and its mention of a Flatliners choir, I want it even more! NP- Legend Of 1900
posted 12-01-1999 03:49 PM PT (US)

ScoreLogueVance Oscar® Winner	Ed, Sorry about not replying earlier. I dont read many of the posts here because of lack of time. I was emailed that you had a reply to my Cedars review. Please do not hesitate to write me at ScoreLogue if you have any questions so I can answer them faster: vance@scorelogue.com. Cedars does have big themes of choir, percussion, and Eastern instrumentation. I call it atmospheric because it really plays to the setting of the story as opposed to the characters. This is JNH's best in years. It's my personal favorite since Wyatt Earp and Restoration. You will love the CD! Does that answer your question? VB NP: "Snow Falling on Cedars" (JNH)
posted 12-02-1999 10:50 AM PT (US)

Scorro Oscar® Winner	I saw the trailer for SFOC on TV and listened closely. What I heard sounds very much like Enya. Can't say for sure, but would almost be willing to bet on it. It's not any of her older music I'm familiar with, though the classic Enya trademark sounds were there. Regards, _Sc NP: The Black Stallion Returns (Delerue) ******
posted 12-02-1999 09:49 PM PT (US)

TimT Oscar® Winner	Where can I find sound clips from the score? I looked on Decca's site and Universalclassics and I didn't see any.
posted 12-03-1999 09:11 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	Tim, Decca has a hard time with updates on their site with their scores that released. Your best bet is trying the offical site ( www.snowfallingofcedars.com ) or try one of the online sites when the score is released like Amazon.com or CDNow.com --Crono/Kyp Writer/Director/Producer
posted 12-04-1999 01:06 PM PT (US)

Dan Brecher Oscar® Winner	I got American Pie DVD saturday just past, and in the 'Universal Showcase' feature on the DVD it has the trailer for this (and Man on the Moon). The music in the trailer IS the actual score... Dan (UK)
posted 12-13-1999 10:28 AM PT (US)

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