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NEW YORK, NY (Ryko Filmworks) - On August 15, 2006, Ryko Filmworks is set to release the soundtrack to the new motion picture "The Illusionist," featuring an original score by acclaimed modern minimalist composer Philip Glass. Glass has had his sophisticated music featured in numerous movies throughout his career, earning him many awards and critical praise, including a Golden
Globe award for the soundtrack to the "Truman Show," and Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1985 for the film "Mishima."
Award-winning writer/director/actor Edward Norton ("Fight Club," "American History X," "The Italian Job") stars as Eisenheim, alongside accomplished actors Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti. The film's screenplay and direction is by Neil Burger and is produced by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, Norton plays a magician who falls in love with a woman well above his social status, but he is committed to winning her affection. Stuck between Eisenheim and the Duchess Sophie is Prince Leopold and his evil comrade Chief Inspector Uhl. The movie is based on the short story by Steven Millhauser titled, "Eisenheim the Illusionist."
Glass' renowned restrained, yet elegant style has captivated audiences around the world for years. "The soundtrack to 'The Illusionist' is a driving force to the movie," according to director Neil Burger. "There are many scenes and sequences without dialogue, and it falls to the music to tell the story." Glass recorded the original score with a large orchestra, which results in an emotionally driven and epic soundtrack for the movie.
The Daily Telegraph calls Glass, "the most powerful composer of our time... what Glass is doing is changing the face of music for our time and all time."
"The Illusionist" opens nationwide on August 18, 2006.
Track listing is as follows:
1. The Illusionist
2. Do You Know Me?
3. Chance Encounter
4. The Locket
5. The Orange Tree
6. The Mirror
7. Wish I Would See You Again
8. The Sword
9. Meeting In The Carriage
10. Sophie
11. The Secret Plot
12. Sophie's Ride To The Castle
13. The Accident
14. The New Theater
15. Frankel Appears
16. A Shout From The Crowd
17. Eisenheim Disappears
18. The Search
19. The Missing Gem
20. The Chase
21. Life In The Mountains
All music by Philip Glass.