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.
QUARTET RECORDSとNHKエンタープライズが共同で、日本人作曲家・渡辺俊幸が2004年に制作したドキュメンタリー・ミニシリーズNHKスペシャル「ローマ帝国」の印象的なシンフォニック・スコアを待望の再発売！
トラックリスト2004年11月から12月にかけて3週連続で放映されたNHKスペシャル「ローマ帝国」は3つのエピソードから成り、古典古代ローマ文明第3期の誕生、興隆、衰退を描いている。ティムガド（アルジェリア）の遺跡から始まり、ポンペイのような都市に立ち寄り、ハドリアヌス帝の指揮の下、どうしようもない衰退と破壊を始めたローマ帝国の古代ブリテンで終わる、魅惑的な多文化の旅の記録である。
さまざまな人種、言語、宗教が混在するこの国が、同じ権力によって支配されながら、都市インフラ、政治、文化など多くの改善によって繁栄していたことを音楽的に示すために、渡辺は繊細で力強く、非常にメロディアスなスコアを提供している。ボスニア出身の歌手（日本在住）ヤドランカ・ストヤコヴィッチとスペイン出身のギタリスト古川昌義（世界最高の演奏家の一人）によるオープニングテーマ「遥かなるローマ」は圧巻。地中海的な雰囲気を持つこの2つの要素が、日本の巨匠のアレンジの妙技と相まって、私たちを旅の世界へとどっぷりと浸らせてくれる。
このオリジナル・アルバムは2004年に日本でのみ限定発売された。そのインパクトの強さから、20年もの間、最も再発売が切望されたコレクターの聖杯となった。この新しいエディションは、オリジナル・アルバムのステレオ・マスターテープからクリス・マローンがリマスタリング。パッケージには、作曲家自身による序文と曲ごとの解説、フアン・ラモン・エルナンデス・アルマグロによるエッセイ、マエストロ渡辺の独占インタビューが収録されています。
限定500枚。
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.
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)
(参考：国内盤のトラックリストより）
1. 遥かなるローマ (オープニングメインテーマ)
2. ローマの光
3. 豊かなるローマ
4. 最強の軍事国家
5. 宿命
6. 繁栄の礎
7. 残された謎I
8. 広がり続ける帝国
9. 崩壊に向かう巨大国家
10. 残された謎II
11. 市民の退廃
12. 遥かなるローマ (メインテーマ)