Soundtrack Review: Cirque du Soleil - KÀ

By Douglas Strassler Nov 15, 2005, 20:14 GMT

Ka is the newest addition to the Cirque canon, currently playing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  It also features martial arts, puppetry, and pyrotechnic effects to tell the story of a set of twins following their fate.  According to the show’s publicity material, its underlying theme of duality is underscored by the opposing powers of fire to create and destroy.

While much of the show’s magic comes from seeing it, one can still get wrapped up in the excitement that comes from listening to the soundtrack.  Recorded at the Paramount Studio locations in both Los Angeles and Montreal (where Cirque du Soleil is based), this work features a 57-piece symphony orchestra and a 40-member choir, conducted by Simon Leclerc, who honed his craft in several Star Trek television  series.

Composer Rene Dupere, part of the original Cirque team, composed Ka.  His eclectic fare takes some getting used to, but is quite beautiful.  He utilizes female vocals singing a non-intelligible language for tracks such as “O Makunde” and “Koudamare.”  The latter is one example of the several songs that demonstrate a respect for world music, with its African and Spanish origins.  “Pursuit” features percussion over the sound of male Latin choir singing.

Dupere also fuses multiple instruments throughout the soundtrack.  “Pageant” blends strings, bass, percussion and even the accordion, while “Shadowplay” offers bass, strings, and woodwind.  “Love Dance” uses a cello solo with pizzicato strings to tell the story of a girl who realizes that she loves a bad man’s son (and features a male soprano).   The plot of Ka is furthered with the military theme of “Battlefield,” which is then followed by the elegiac “Aftermath.”

This is a really terrific soundtrack.  Dupere combines a unique blend of sounds to bring the performance a sense of depth.  It fully succeeds in capturing the spectacle of Ka as well as any audio recording could.