Someone heard my score to Born Under the Red Flag, and recommended me to Phillip Glass and Michael Riesman. They subcontracted me to compose and produce approximately ten minutes of source music for Kundun, which underscore the scenes of the Dalai Lama in China. As I composed, I hired a contractor to find every adult Chinese-speaking singer in the tri-state area. Fifteen were found. I worked with the Episicopal Church in Chinatown to organize fifty children for the camera shoot and selected 12 for the recording. I worked with Music From China to contract 8 traditional Chinese musicians. Collaborating with a lyricist, I scored Chinese words phonetically. I also hired a copyist who also proofed the scores to ensure a smooth recording. To re-create the huge orchestra and choir characteristic of the Cultural Revolution, we made about ten overdubs of every track. The Western orchestra was contracted by Michael Riesman, who conducted most of the sessions. The production was completed in three weeks.

Kundun (1997)

Directed by Martin Scorces
Walt Disney Production
Score by Phillip Glass

Source Music for the scenes of the Dalai Lama in China by Jason Kao Hwang

This is the story of the 14th Dalai Lama, from the "discovery" of his "reincarnation" at age two until his self-exile in India after the Chinese occupation of his country. Before he reaches maturity the Dalai Lama is placed at the head of his small, undeveloped and very religious country. He must contend with the surging strength and territorial ambitions of China, a newly unified and invigorated great power.

The film shows how the boy grows to be a young man trying to do what is right and serve his people, while resisting the Chinese through nonviolence. The film also shows some of the superstitions and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.

Audio Samples