Departures (soundtrack)
Joe Hisaishi's cello-centered score for a Japanese drama film.
The soundtrack to the Japanese drama film Departures, directed by Yōjirō Takita, features music written and produced by Joe Hisaishi and performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan and NHK Symphony Orchestras. It was released as Departures Original Soundtrack on 10 September 2008 by A&M Records, three days before the film's release. The image song "Okuribito", performed by Ai, was also released on the same date.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Joe Hisaishi
- Released
- 10 September 2008
- Genre
- Film score
- Label
- A&M
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shine of Snow I | 1:12 |
| 2 | Nohkana | 3:10 |
| 3 | Kaisan | 0:53 |
| 4 | Good-by Cello | 2:16 |
| 5 | New Road | 1:15 |
| 6 | Model | 0:47 |
| 7 | First Contact | 1:51 |
| 8 | Washing | 0:34 |
| 9 | Kizuna I | 1:57 |
| 10 | Beautiful Dead I | 3:12 |
| 11 | Departures – On Record | 1:51 |
| 12 | Gui-Dance | 2:26 |
| 13 | Shine of Snow II | 2:25 |
| 14 | Ave Maria – Departures | 5:29 |
| 15 | Kizuna II | 2:04 |
| 16 | Beautiful Dead II | 2:37 |
| 17 | Father | 1:40 |
| 18 | Departures – Memory | 4:10 |
| 19 | Departures – Ending | 4:59 |
| Total length | 44:48 | |
Track listing from the source article.
Development
Before filming, Yōjirō Takita asked Joe Hisaishi to prepare a soundtrack representing the separation between Daigo and his father, as well as the mortician's love for his wife. Hisaishi emphasized the cello due to its importance in the narrative, describing the challenge of centering a score around the instrument as one of the most difficult things he had done. The score was played during shooting, which Takita said allowed the crew to visualize many emotions in the film.
Promotional single
The title theme, composed by Hisaishi with lyrics written and performed by Ai, served as the image song for the film. After watching a preview, Ai worked closely with Hisaishi to add lyrics to his instrumental piece, initially feeling nervous about suitable lyrics but feeling respected working with the composer. Hisaishi arranged the cellos and orchestral pieces. The single was released by Universal Sigma and Island Records on 10 September 2008 with a promotional video; Ai performed the track live on 6 September at Music Fair 21.
Reception
Music critic Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK wrote that the music's beauty and effortless grace, richness of texture and instrumental performance made Departures another magnificent example in Hisaishi's filmography. Michael Sullivan of The Japan Society of the UK commented that the music flows beautifully with scenes of nature, sunsets and a cellist playing by rice fields, portraying the passing of loved ones with tenderness. Al Alexander of The Patriot Ledger felt the score accentuates mournful tones of an instrument synonymous with sadness and longing. Maggie Lee of The Hollywood Reporter called the score unabashedly romantic, while Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle called it grimly wonderful.
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