Anime: Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo
Album: Gankutsuou - Classical Compilation
Musicians: Various
Composer/Lyricist:
Released: 13 Apr 2005

Gankutsuou – Classical Compilation Tracklisting:1. Manfred Koukyoukyoku I. Lento Lugubre 2. Manfred Koukyoukyoku IV. Allegro con Fuoca 3. Lucia Di Lammermoor Act 2 4. Kodomo no Joukei Performance 15 – Traumerei 5. Zensoukyoku Hen Volume 2 – V. Byuyeres (Heath no Kusamura) 6. Akuma no Rovert (Tsumentai Ishi no Shita ni Yokotawaru Shuudou Onna Tachi) 7. Piano Kyousoukyoku Part 2 – I. Moderato (Melody No. 1) *Bold titles - recommended listening

OVERVIEW

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My friend says “This is the prelude to greatness.” After listening to this album’s music, I found it fits my perfect profile. My soul, which knows not what it is to love another OST besides Petit Cossette Original Soundtrack, was shaken by the one album which knows what it is to be classical. My only fear is that it is too short…

THE GOOD

Manfred Kousoukyoku IV. Allegro con Fuoca
The longest song in this compilation, “Allegro con Fuoca” is also its powerhouse classical piece. A superb orchestra gives their all for nineteen minutes of classical bliss. Powerful and furious, this song never wavers during its entire run. Grab the nearest copy of Dumas’ classic and press play; this song will accent every word and last you until the Château D’If.

Lucia Di Lammermoor Act 2
It is not every day you hear an opera piece in an anime title, let alone an opera piece like the second act of “Lucia Di Lammermoor” sung by Yasashu Sasayaki Go. To anyone who likes opera, like myself, this is a heavenly reminder of what makes the genre great. The elegant soprano’s voice is like a fair maiden leading her gallant stag, the orchestra score, by gentle tugs on its reins. Sixteen minutes might be a bit much for some, but well worth it in my book.

Kodomo no Joukei Performance 15 – Traumerei
Simplicity is truly divine. “Traumerei” is a simple piano solo, and nothing more. It is amazing how something so plain can conjure such emotions and recollections; Eugénie’s and Albert’s plight can be felt in each key stroke. I find it hard to describe such an effortless song; it just simply must be heard.

THE BAD

Piano Kyousoukyoku Part 2 – I. Moderato (Melody No. 1)
Amidst a group of greats, there will still be one who is not great enough. “Moderato,” sadly, falls from grace due to seemingly misplaced directions the orchestra takes during their ten minute run. Sections of this song sound great, the caliber of its brethren, but then a whimsical new turn is taken, like a backseat driver giving directions to a place they’ve never been. While redeeming towards the end, “Moderato” cannot keep pace with the rest of this compilation.

The Rating: 9