John Corigliano's "The Red Violin - Music from the Motion Picture" is a captivating orchestral journey released on September 8, 1998, under Sony Classical. This album is a testament to Corigliano's mastery, featuring a compelling score that accompanies the acclaimed film of the same name. Spanning just over an hour, the album is a rich tapestry of compositions that follow the life of a mysterious red violin across different eras and locations.
The tracklist is a vivid narrative, beginning with "Anna's Theme" and unfolding through various movements set in Cremona, Vienna, Oxford, Shanghai, and Montréal. Each piece is a character in itself, from the haunting "Death of Anna" to the triumphant "Pope's Concert," and the intense "People's Revolution - Death of Chou Yuan." The album culminates with "The Red Violin - Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra," a powerful and intricate finale that showcases Corigliano's exceptional skill in blending emotional depth with technical brilliance.
This album is not just a soundtrack; it's a standalone musical experience that invites listeners to explore the intricate stories and vivid settings woven into each composition. Corigliano's ability to evoke a range of emotions through his music makes "The Red Violin" a timeless piece that resonates long after the final note fades.
I. Cremona, Main TitleJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Cremona, Death of AnnaJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Cremona, Birth of the Red ViolinJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Cremona, The Red ViolinJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
II. Vienna, The MonasteryJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
II. Vienna, Kaspar's Audition - Journey to ViennaJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
II. Vienna, Etudes - Death of KasparJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra
III. Oxford, The Gypsies - Journey Across EuropeJohn Corigliano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orchestra, Frank Ricotti, Eddie Hession, Chris Laurence, Gavyn Wright, Nick Bucknall, Greg Knowles