Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema

The Dinosaur Fly-ByDon Davis

The Dinosaur Fly-By

It’s a thrilling orchestral piece by Don Davis from the film Jurassic Park III.

While respectfully carrying forward the iconic melodies of the earlier series’ theme, it grandly conveys a sense of anticipation for a new adventure.

It plays during the scene where the characters fly over the island, and the breathtaking expanse of nature below, along with the story about to unfold, leaves you in awe.

Just listening to it makes you feel the thrill and excitement as if you were the hero of the adventure yourself! It’s the perfect track for reliving the film’s emotions or for lifting your spirits.

Circle of LifeElton John

Carmen Twillie, Lebo M. – Circle of Life (From “The Lion King”)

The Lion King is a feature-length animated film released in 1994 and the 32nd work by Disney.

Circle of Life is sung by the world-renowned British musician Elton John.

The famous opening section is in Zulu and means “The father lion has arrived.”

My Favorite ThingsRichard Rodgers

My Favorite Things – Julie Andrews

The 1965 musical film The Sound of Music produced numerous beloved songs.

One of them, My Favorite Things, was later covered by jazz musician John Coltrane and went on to become a jazz standard.

Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence — Merry Christmas on the Battlefield

Participating in pop groups such as YMO and composing film scores, Ryuichi Sakamoto has been active across a broad spectrum of the music world.

Among the film music he wrote, perhaps his most famous piece is this one used in Merry Christmas, Mr.

Lawrence.

The Phantom of the Opera OvertureAndrew Lloyd Webber

Phantom of the Opera Overture

The Phantom of the Opera is a work, based on Gaston Leroux’s original novel, that beautifully depicts the tragic love between the Phantom who dwells deep beneath the opera house and the soprano Christine.

This piece is used in the opening scene, making the transition from black-and-white to color even more striking.

My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion

Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On (from the 2007 DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day…”)

Winner of 10 Academy Awards.

This is the theme song of the blockbuster film Titanic, which boasts a box office gross of 2,010,852,325,51 yen.

Sung by Celine Dion, this track became her biggest hit.

It is also one of the best-selling singles in history.

It won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance.

Dragon BoyHisaishi Joe

Spirited Away – Dragon Boy ( Daizo Edit Extended)

From Studio Ghibli’s hugely famous film Spirited Away, this is “The Dragon Boy.” The “dragon” refers to Haku, and the piece is used in the scene where Haku and Chihiro meet and then depart from the bathhouse.

In the film, the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra performs it: a mystical tone born from layered harp and piano leads into flowing horn lines, while the woodwinds stack in perfect fourths to evoke a traditional Japanese atmosphere.

This performance is a longer version than the one in the film, making “The Dragon Boy” even more powerful.

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