The Young Man from the East
Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime) track 14: "The Young Man from the East" ("Higashi kara Kita Shounen")
composed by Joe Hisaishi
Milan 1997
Probably one of my top five films of all time, Mononoke Hime is, in my opinion, the best Miyazaki Hayao work. Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Mononoke Hime tells the story of Ashitaka and San, two people from different worlds colliding and then cooperating against those who are killing the forest with technology. This is a common theme in Miyazaki's films, man against nature. Because of its rich story and excellent animation, you forget that you are watching an animated film and sit back with the multi dimensional characters and fascinating scenery. It never fails to fill me with wonder and astonishment when Ashitaka takes to his bow, San and Lady Eboshi duel, or the Deer God breathes life to the forest.
The track is heavily weighed toward strings although there are distinct Asian sounds. It begins with string leading notes which are then taken over by what sounds like horns. However, there fusion of ethnic instruments to give it almost a digital sound. The strings, in all their glory, take the melody and sweep us away into an enchanting forest, underscored by brass. Then they move the melody even further while the brass continue on repeating eighth notes walking us right into the thick of the action. The track is short, only 1:25, and ends on a questioning note. There is a more complete form of this track on the first and last track of this album. It includes a very quick descending melody by some unknown instrument to me and pulls you right into the imaginary world.
The soundtrack to Mononoke Hime is also one of my top five scores. "The Young Man from the East" is representative of many of the tracks on the album. Many have suggested that the album is very repetitive and in fact many of the tracks are just the same name only increased by number such as "Requiem", "Requiem II", "Requiem III". But it is the color that this album provides that makes it such a joy to which to listen. There are heavy and light moments and the vocal songs are incredibly beautiful both in English and Japanese. It is very difficult not to appreciate the themes and musical details that give beauty to the film.
The track is heavily weighed toward strings although there are distinct Asian sounds. It begins with string leading notes which are then taken over by what sounds like horns. However, there fusion of ethnic instruments to give it almost a digital sound. The strings, in all their glory, take the melody and sweep us away into an enchanting forest, underscored by brass. Then they move the melody even further while the brass continue on repeating eighth notes walking us right into the thick of the action. The track is short, only 1:25, and ends on a questioning note. There is a more complete form of this track on the first and last track of this album. It includes a very quick descending melody by some unknown instrument to me and pulls you right into the imaginary world.
The soundtrack to Mononoke Hime is also one of my top five scores. "The Young Man from the East" is representative of many of the tracks on the album. Many have suggested that the album is very repetitive and in fact many of the tracks are just the same name only increased by number such as "Requiem", "Requiem II", "Requiem III". But it is the color that this album provides that makes it such a joy to which to listen. There are heavy and light moments and the vocal songs are incredibly beautiful both in English and Japanese. It is very difficult not to appreciate the themes and musical details that give beauty to the film.
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