Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne and Cong Su

The Last Emperor (OST)

Order now!

• 01 Ryuichi Sakamoto - First Coronation
• 02 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Open The Door
• 03 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Where Is Armo
• 04 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Picking Up Brides
• 05 Ryuichi Sakamoto - The Last Emperor (Theme Variation 1)
• 06 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Rain (I Want A Divorce)
• 07 Ryuichi Sakamoto - The Baby (Was Born Dead)
• 08 Ryuichi Sakamoto - The Last Emperor (Theme Variation 2)
• 09 Ryuichi Sakamoto - The Last Emperor (Theme)
• 10 David Byrne - The Last Emperor (main Title Theme)
• 11 David Byrne - Picking A Bride
• 12 David Byrne - Bed
• 13 David Byrne - Wind Rain and Water
• 14 David Byrne - Paper Emperor
• 15 Cong Su - Lunch
• 16 The Red Guard Accordion Band - Red Guard
• 17 The Ball Orchestra Of Vienna - The Emperors Waltz
• 18 The Girls Red Guard Dancers - The Red Guard Dance

The soundtrack is a theme-filled exploration of the sounds and musical traditions of Imperial China, filtered through some very contemporary sensibilities. Sakamoto’s contribution comprises nine cues and is focused around his main theme: a beautiful, lyrical melody for the full orchestra. It’s soft, wistful, and introspective, but becomes increasingly dramatic. Byrne contributes five cues, and the first one is the most recognisable, as it’s the main title theme playing over the film’s stylish opening credits sequence. It emerges from a set of evocative Chinese percussion items, with the melody being carried by a gorgeous, lilting erhu. All in all, Sakamoto, Byrne and Cong Su deliver an excellent score.