Romeo no Aoi Sora Vol 2 OST

ROMEO NO AOI SORA VOLUME 2 ORIGNAL SOUNDTRACK
Copyright © 1995 Nippon Animation
Licensed from Warner Music Japan
WPC-6138
¥3000
Available Now

— by Charles McCarter

Running Time: 54:57

1. Sugasugashii Asa (Refreshing Morning) 1:35

2. Akaruku Genki na Shonen Romio (Cheerful and Energetic Boy Romeo) 1:19

3. Yamakaji da! (Fire on the Mountain!) 0:58

4. Zetsubou no Naka de (In Despair) 1:34

5. Mirano e no Tabidachi (Journey to Milan) 1:33

6. Shikigami Ruini (God of Death Luini) 1:12

7. Romi no Kodoku (Romeo's Loneliness) 1:44

8. Kawaii Aibo Pikkoro (Cute Companion Piccolo) 0:55

9. Kekki Afureru Machi (A town Brimming with Activity) 1:01

10. Mirano no Machi de (In the Town of Milan) 1:22

11. Kurushitemo Makenai (Even if it's Painful, I won't Lose!) 1:13

12. Arufuredo ~ Subarashii Shinyuu (Alfredo ~ An Amazing Best Friend) 1:21

13. Mirai no Yume (Dreams of the Future) 2:34

14. Kokoro Yasahii Anjeretta (Kind-Hearted Angelita) 2:33

15. Tenshi no Orugeru (Angel's Music Box) 1:26

16. Watashi no Shiranai Sekai (The World I Don't Know) 1:35

17. Warera Kuroi Kyoudai (We're the Black Brothers) 1:44

18. Minna De Ganbarou! (Everyone, Do Your Best!) 1:38

19. Ookami Don (The Wolf Gang) 1:22

20. Keitou ~ Kuroi Kyoudai vs. Ookami Don (Duel ~ The Black Brothers vs. The Wolf Gang) 1:23

21. Nikiita no Omoi (Memories of Nikita) 2:02

22. Bianka to no Deai (Meetings with Bianca) 2:39

23. Arufuredo ~ Ketsu o Mune ni (Alfredo ~ Determination in the Heart) 1:41

24. Iimai no Wakare (Parting of the Brother and Sister) 1:28

25. Takusan no Omoide (A Lot of Memories) 2:31

26. Sayonara Minna (Goodbye, Everyone) 4:45

27. Sora E (to the Sky) - Milan Street Version 3:44

Kasahara Hiroko

28. Si si Ciao - Roma no Oku de (On Roman Roofs) - Album Version 3:24

Kasahara Hiroko

Don't let the title of this disk fool you. It may be volume 2 of the ROMEO NO AOI SORA CDs, but it is the original soundtrack. The first CD contains drama tracks and image songs; this disc contains the BGM and OP and ED used in the television series. And it is beautiful. Lush and fully orchestrated, this soundtrack could easily have been used for a feature film.
The first track, "Sugasugashi Asa" ("Refreshing Morning"), is a musical journey through the Alps, complete with the singing birds, the wind-swept mountains, and everything in between. A very panoramic piece, it serves as a beautiful opening to the CD.
"Zetsubou no Naka de" ("In Despair") uses strings to great effect. A lone violin echoes throughout the piece as first strings, and then woodwinds, rise in accompaniment. The tone of the piece changes from one of almost palpable sadness to something more bittersweet and tinged with hope. The melody is a passage from the opening theme (Sora e). "Shikigami Ruini" ("The God of Death Luini") sounds almost like a Prokofiev piece with ominous chords being played in the background as the string bass and percussion pour out a deliberate and plodding melody.
Alfredo's theme, track twelve, is one of the most amazing pieces on this disc. A track which begins with a lone violin wailing turns into an elegant waltz on a harpsichord with a quartet accompaniment. In just over a minute, this piece manages to touch on Alfredo's privileged background, his tragic plight, and his friendship with Romeo.
"Bianca to no Deai" ("Meeting with Bianca") is an instrumental version of the vocal "Only Truth," which is on the first CD. The original is an image song sung by Bianca and Romeo; this version begins with a violin, expands to a string quartet, and then to a full orchestra for the climactic finale, complete with rolling timpani and cymbals.
Probably the most unusual track is "Ookami Don" ("The Wolf Gang"); the reason it is unusual is that it is a jazz piece. Starting with a jazz piano, flute, muted trumpet and string bass, it provides a very different feeling than any of the other pieces on this disc. And, since it is the theme for the Wolf Gang, the jazz is used to display their rebellious nature. It is the only piece on this disc that does not fall into the full orchestra, Italian genre that the rest of the tracks do.
Both the opening and ending theme are sung by Kasahara Hiroko, who did the voice (and singing) for Ishtar in MACROSS II and the voice of Armitage in ARMITAGE III. She has a lovely voice and these songs suit her well. "Sora e" ("To the Sky") is the opening, and its lilting melody and bittersweet lyrics match the atmosphere of the show beatifully. The version on this CD is the full length "Milan Street Version," which means that instead of a full orchestra, we get a lot of Italian-influenced instruments. Personally, I would have preferred the full orchestra version, but this one is good too.
The ending theme, "Si Si Ciao Roma no Oku De" ("Si Si Ciao On Roman Roofs"), is a hopelessly bright and sunny song. At first, it does not appear suit the show as well as the opening when one first hears it. But considering that most of the episodes end on a serious down note or terrible cliffhanger, the director probably opted for a happier song to help keep viewers' spirits up.
Fans of ROMEO should definitely pick up this disc. Fans of good BGM should pick it up as well.