Millennia
Tracklist
- Prologue
- Space Queen
- Seiun
- Hikari no Sono
- Maboroshi
- Cosmic Love
- Jiyu Eno Kakehashi
- Puromesyume
- Epilogue
About
Kitaro released the album «Queen of Millennia» (also known simply as «Millennia») in 1982, February.
This album serves as the soundtrack to the anime film and manga series of the same name (original Japanese title «1000年女王» or Sennen Joō). The album was released on the Pony Canyon and Geffen Records labels.
Also in 1982, the album «Symphonic Suite Queen Millennia» was released, which features a symphonic arrangement of the music from the soundtrack.
History of Creation
Kitaro's album Queen of Millennia (1982) is closely linked to the eponymous manga and anime film created by the famous Japanese author Leiji Matsumoto.
Key details regarding its creation include:
- Inviting Kitaro: Kitaro, who had already gained recognition for his electronic instrumental style (especially after his work on the TV series Silk Road soundtrack), was invited to compose the music for the Queen of Millennia anime film. His characteristic style, combining elements of new-age and electronic music, was a perfect fit for creating the atmosphere of a space saga.
- Concept and Atmosphere: Kitaro’s music was intended to emphasize the drama and spiritual scale of the story about the millennia queen from the planet La Metal who secretly rules Earth. Kitaro's compositions, filled with soft romantic and ambient melodies, contrasted with the dynamic science-fiction plot, adding an element of contemplation and emotional depth.
- Use of Synthesizers: Kitaro was known for his fascination with analog synthesizers, and this album was no exception. He used his instruments to create the unique, "cosmic" sound that became his signature style.
- Collaboration with Dara Sedaka: For the final composition "Epilogue" (also known as "Angel Queen" or "Excellent Legend" in some versions), Kitaro collaborated with American singer Dara Sedaka, daughter of the famous pop artist Neil Sedaka. She performed the song in English, which helped the album gain international recognition.
Two Versions of the Album:
There are two main musical versions associated with the project:
- «Queen of Millennia» (Original Soundtrack): The original Kitaro album from 1982, featuring the electronic compositions used in the film.
- «Symphonic Suite Queen Millennia»: Also released in 1982, this album is a symphonic arrangement of the soundtrack music, performed by other musicians, highlighting the grand scale of the project.
The Queen of Millennia album became a significant milestone in Kitaro’s career, solidifying his position as a master of electronic instrumental music and a composer of anime soundtracks.
Plot
The series takes place in the (then) futuristic year 1999. Professor Amamori discovers a 10th planet in the Earth's solar system, which he names La-Metal, while at his observatory in Tokyo. Its diameter is 9 times that of Earth. Amamori notes the planet has a highly eccentric orbit and, as it emerges behind the distant Pluto, Amamori realizes that La-Metal is on a collision course with Earth. He calculates that the planet will impact Earth on 9 September 1999, at 9 o'clock, 9 minutes and 9 seconds.
It turns out that La-Metal orbits the Solar System every 1,000 years, but only this time it is fated to come dangerously close to Earth. While damage to the giant ice-covered La-Metal would be minimal, Earth would be destroyed by the planet's massive gravitational pull. La-Metal is inhabited by a subterranean humanoid species ruled by a mysterious Holy Queen, Larela. She plans to abduct a large number of humans before the destruction of Earth, and enslave them with the help of her operatives already on Earth. These operatives are led by Andromeda Promethium, a woman known as a Millennial Queen who goes by the Earth name, Yukino Yayoi. She has been living on Earth for almost 1,000 years, like many such Millennial Queens before her, with the intention of establishing a colony for her home planet.
Promethium, who comes to care for her Earthling foster parents and friends, begins to question the La-Metalians' plans. As Yayoi, she begins working for Professor Amamori and decides to offer her help when Amamori discovers that La-Metal is heading for Earth. The professor's young nephew Hajime, whose parents are killed while designing a spaceship to help a small group of humans escape from Earth, also joins their fight to save the planet.
They are soon confronted by a sabotage campaign initiated by a group of La-Metal generals against Earth. As the two planets come closer to colliding, Yukino finds out that a black hole is to blame for La-Metal's orbital deviation. A desperate plan is undertaken to destroy the black hole and save both their worlds.