ROMAN EMPIRE (NHK Special)

Quartet Records, in collaboration with NHK Enterprises, presents the long-awaited reissue of Japanese composer Toshiyuki Watanabe’s impressive symphonic score for the 2004 documentary mini-series ROMAN EMPIRE.

Produced by the Japanese national public television channel NHK, ROMAN EMPIRE consists of three episodes in which we are shown the birth, rise and decline of the third period of Roman civilization in classical antiquity. It chronicles a fascinating multicultural journey that begins in the ruins of Timgad (Algeria) and then stops in cities like Pompeii and ends in Britain, the ancient Britain of the Roman Empire, which under the command of Emperor Hadrian began its inexorable decline and destruction.

To show musically how this mixture of various races, languages and religions was dominated by the same power while also prospering from many improvements in urban infrastructure, politics, culture, etc., Watanabe provides a sensitive, powerful, highly melodic score. The opening theme, “Far Away Rome,” performed by Bosnian singer (based in Japan) Jadranka Stojakovi? and Spanish guitarist Masayoshi Furukawa (one of the best performers in the world), is a real stand out. Both elements, boasting a markedly Mediterranean air, join with the virtuosity of the Japanese master’s arrangements to fully immerse us in the journey.

The original album was released only in Japan in 2004 in a very limited print run. Due to the impact of the score, it became a holy grail for the most demanding collectors for two decades. This new edition has been remastered by Chris Malone from the original album stereo master tapes. The package includes a preface and track-by-track commentary written by the composer himself, as well as an essay by Juan Ramon Hernandez Almagro and an exclusive interview with maestro Watanabe. Limited 500 copies

1. Far Away Rome (Opening Theme) (1:42)
2. Light of Rome (2:53)
3. Rich Rome (3:43)
4. The Strongest Military Nation (3:09)
5. Fate (4:50)
6. The Cornerstone of Prosperity (3:09)
7. Remaining Mysteries I (2:57)
8. An Ever-Expanding Empire (3:53)
9. A Giant Estate on the Verge of Collapse (2:52)
10. Remaining Mysteries II (4:19)
11. Civic Decadence (4:06)
12. Far Away Rome (Main Theme) (3:47)