360 records from 2000: 95. City of Prague philharmonic - Farewell my Concubine

95. City of Prague philharmonic: Farewell my Concubine. Great film themes from modern Chinese cinema

Country: Czech Republic / China / Taiwan / Hong Kong
Artist: Orchestra
Career: °1947
Language: Instrumental
Genre: Soundtrack, Orchestral

Subtitled ‘Great film themes from modern Chinese cinema’. 14 musical highlights from movies I mostly haven’t heard of, this is an unexpected delight. The compositions are without exception melodic and strong. There’s very little recognizably Chinese music in there (Edit: countless spins later, it’s pretty much everywhere in the details). In fact it’s all classicist, beautiful, old fashioned romantic orchestral movie music. Who needs more? Moving, sweeping, tuneful. It tells a story in sound.

At its best: Once upon a time in China, A city of sadness, Farewell my concubine, The Osmanthus alley