The Tower of Babel - Yoko Kanno

Yoko Kanno - The Creation
~ The tower of Babel ~
Cet album, un des tout premiers de Yoko Kanno, a été publié en 1991.
Le thème de The Tower of Babel a été réutilisé par Yoko en 2000 pour le thème de Sora dans l'OST de Escaflowne - The movie.

[@RichardHannay]

We have to thank the guy who bought this super rare CD and shared this song for everyone!

[@excrono]

I know, right! This album really needs a reissue. I think enough Yoko Kanno fans would purchase it to make this worthwhile for the publisher.

[@BibtheChib]

I come here maybe once every two days, for the past few months. I have carefully designed a whole list of my top 100 songs with my top song being there for about 10+ years. I only came across this in 2021, and it is already my all time favourite song. It is so brilliant that I couldn't even deny it from the start.

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

At least the whole album is on KZbin now. I wish that I could buy the CD, though. I always try to get physical copies of my music if possible, and The Creation would be right at the top of the list for me.

[@TheAncientMysteriesBeckon]

@@TheWickedWizardOfOz1 what’s the album name ?

[@dannorwood4906]

@@TheAncientMysteriesBeckon This is Sora's theme from the Escaflowne OST

[@SOMeDoOD1992]

Yoko Kanno, why do you have this inherent ability to touch my soul so deeply with your music?

[@eemajinemirror9249]

Cause Erik Satie and jazz :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGq6fHZrqLlskJY

[@PlatonicPurplePanda]

I've been a fan of The Vision of Escaflowne for over a decade and I didn't know there is this song which would be later added into the movie. WOW.

[@ki1021002]

이 노래를 들을 때 이따금씩 가본적 없는 세계에 빠져드는 느낌이 든다.

[@SpaceLion87]

Many find echoing similarities with others... I find it with Nostalgia - Yoko Kanno and those Satié phrasings... Lovely.

[@HDubstepCentral]

Yoko Kanno is a genius.

[@user-xb7dp4vu3r]

Underrated genius

[@-Konan]

Yes, Yoko is a genius

[@eyupbalmumcu3988]

Yes

[@TheBlacknarock]

A Goddess

[@rplasma]

YES

[@supernormalperson4964]

言葉の壁は大きくて厚いけど この曲を聴いている人がどんな気持ちなのかは言葉を介さなくても分かる 神様は音楽という共通言語だけは残してくれたのだ

[@user-zi5vm2mh9s]

너무 좋은말씀입니다. 😢

[@eskimointhisworld]

So beautiful~ It sounds haunting and sad, like a beautiful lost legend that can't be clearly recalled.

[@magoschonkers711]

This comment is beautiful too, I couldn't have put it better

[@ammarakila17]

Do you mind if I borrowed this description?

[@cherryjoyAcub]

iIts somewhat sad, full of memories, traveling back in time, soul in silence searching for identity in this world..Love and simplicity Its full of emotions that touched your soul.Yoko Kanno is a brilliant composer with Maaya Sakmoto voice..Its like music in heaven and beyond.

[@bristratostar7908]

Not sure where my comment from years ago went, but this definitely Sora from Escaflowne, instrumental. Gosh, the classics really are immortal!

[@damxcv]

Music that is neither sad or happy . This music is truly magical, "peaceful" is the best word I could describe it from my perspective

[@user-zp6sb1lg7p]

칸노 요코가 작업했던 곡만 샀던 적도 있었죠.. 당시 한국에서 구하기 쉽지는 않았지만...몽환적이면서 가슴저미는 느낌을 얻을 수 있어서 감사한 곡이에요. 살아 있음을 느끼게 해주네요.

[@addlass]

From what I have looked up, The Creation was made in 1991. The anime was made in 1996 and the movie in 2000. It is kind of hard to find stuff about "The Creation" because it is one of her less known and harder to find works.

[@snowybuny]

And have Satie's gnossienes notes too

[@snowybuny]

And gymnopedies

[@akingungormus7428]

You're probably never going to see this, but on the slim chance that you might, can you reply with the link to the anime?

[@HowIin]

@@akingungormus7428 I'd love to know this too

[@bombomos]

Isn't this Escaflowne?

[@askingwhyisfree7436]

it's not the words...it's what it meant. Animals don't speak but understood. Nature can't talk but it has meaning....this tune has a message....it's not by words but by the spirit.

[@himez123]

This song should play indefinitely throughout the cosmos!!

[@Ephrones]

+himez123 Maybe it does.

[@Tarik360]

And what, followed by a monologue from either Patrick Stewart or the narrator from Legend of the Galactic heroes?

[@Ephrones]

“Another page in the history of the galaxy”

[@KimCheongBRO]

+himez123 If it has ever been transmitted by radio wave, it does. Like the rest of our terrestrial transmissions.

[@countbobula8071]

its beautifuly mang

[@zhizn_snake]

It's kinda creepy to think that back when I first heard Sora, I always imagined it being sung by someone locked away in a tower....

[@lolaispure4296]

Zhizn Snake ooooh really?

[@lifecycle414]

菅野さんの曲には新鮮なパワーをもらってばかりだが、この曲はひなびた感じの 「落ち着き」をもらう。 冷静になりたいときにはとてもいい。

[@mayloryify]

What an amazing song!! :D and the name "The tower of Babel", makes sense with the song Sora, because Sora´s lyrics are writen in a language Yoko kanno created herself. So It reminds me the story of the tower

[@dimitrioskakogiannos2283]

did she really create a language? can it be found somewhere??? you made me curious i just love Yokko Kanno´s music and didnt know that D:

[@bokuwakuma554]

as far as i know, "Sora" lyric is in rumanian's language

[@AeriaIistic]

Dimitrios Rock her language is gibberish. Beautiful flowing gibberish. It seems like she took the smooth and "easy-to-connect" sounds/phonetics of every language and put it together. That might be a coincidence, but at least it sounds good!

[@dimitrioskakogiannos2283]

Kawaii i see, indeed it sounds beautiful. Her songs seems just like lullabies.

[@brahmabull84]

Kind of remind me of a Joe Hisaishi composition. Japan has many great music composers working for anime, movie and video game industry.

[@otakuelement3306]

This remainds me of the 1999 HxH songs, heart warming

[@KeyOfTheTwilight]

OMG Sora from Escaflowne the MOVIE XD

[@derHermann]

This one came first (description) ;)

[@KeyOfTheTwilight]

That's cool! ^_^ So they decided to use this for the movie afterwards then? :D

[@Escarii]

That was my exact reaction!

[@chadfranklin47]

Yeah, I had listened to this album many times before watching the movie and it was a pleasant surprise hearing the melody again in the movie.

[@ThePatsyMusic]

As a songwriter, this melody is the zenith of the art as is its author

[@fantasyfanatic1995]

so this is where the lullaby from escaflowne came from...

[@Gauss777]

Essa música consegue transcender o tempo, e me levar para um passado que não existiu, mas que é realmente lindo.

[@1337174m1]

This song is infused with the feeling of longing and nostalgia.

[@BibtheChib]

This song makes me shiver and tear up, I'm still trying to associate it with a memory I have in my head. Can't find one. Wondering if it's something I'm hoping for rather than something I've lived.

[@glazedgamer7661]

This and cloudy road are the most beautiful pieces of music

[@ykcamseyer]

I haven't been able to fathom how such a beautiful and soothing melody as this be named after the Tower of Babel.

[@Svidrigailov1]

Maybe because when trying to describe the feelings it stirs in us, our words come out all jumbled

[@800mEric]

This piece is apart of her first album that's done to go with Seiji Fujishiro artistic depictions of different Bible narratives, this one is to the Tower Of Babel.

[@togapast]

You should listen to the complete concert, called "The Creation". For me, it's a masterpiece.

[@800mEric]

***** This is another score from it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rV7UZYyVn7OKZ7M forums.ffshrine.org/f92/%5Bflac%5D-yoko-kanno-creation-tenchisouzou-139079/

[@800mEric]

***** It's still there.

[@Eoxamotl]

Thank you for these precisions. They have been added to the description of the video, so that everybody can be informed !

[@onelee4236]

Music feeling never changes

[@dicoandila]

I imagine being in the days of ancient Babylon while listening to this song.....wow

[@Anianka]

Big Gymnopedia vibes. Love it.

[@ramus9555]

Now I want to do a duet of this with someone who can use a flute / saxophone. I love playing this on the piano. It feels so satisfying.

[@xanderstuivenberg]

Hey! Have you transcribed the piano part of this piece? The sheet music for the melody is actually available... I can try to learn it on the flute and do a collab with you if you'd like it! :) I've transcribed multiple pieces of Yoko Kanno which I will record and upload in 2022. Hmu if you're interested. ^_^ (dw, it's a busy time - you can send me a message later!)

[@aerozchris7635]

underrated masterpiece of yoko kanno

[@nsytr06]

Makes me want to pick up sax again... so much emotion...

[@auriels1451]

IKR ITS SOOOO GOOD - I've been learning it on my sax - so nice to hear a classical sax piece (so rare in anime) ~ thanks Kanno!!!

[@Nevesdeath]

Best Song Ever. Thanks so much for uploading.

[@BigTroubleD]

Oh my goodness how have I never heard this version of sora before!? ❤❤❤

[@kyenkagami]

yoko kano... since i knew wolf rain master piece art, anime, music fall in love with this music its been soo many years ....

[@levonpoe]

sweet and meditative. this is music for healing

[@xanderstuivenberg]

Let's get 1 million views on this one guys! Yoko deserves it 😝 almost there!

[@Chenwenqi98]

この曲のモチーフがウルフズレインのいろんな曲に引き継がれてる感があるのん

[@atooss7153]

This is a master piece

[@bradliminator]

High, but not excessively so. Warm, reedy tones, breathy quality but with quick response on the tonguing. Ill vote for this being an alto saxophone on a classical mouthpiece.

[@JG-yo3ft]

Escaflowne movie. song "sora". she used the melody from the first 2 min 30 sec of this song. was there when they first showed the movie at anime expo in LA back in summer of 2000. that song sora was on my mind that whole summer. both this and sora are great.

[@petelarose998]

The person who created this is a genius.

[@magoschonkers711]

yes, ms. yoko kanno is very talented. Her work is amazing

[@jimwilson5148]

Yes. She is a genius.

[@andreubadia6119]

too beautiful!! Yoko Kanno is an Earth's god, thank you!!!

[@Sanji445]

Wow... Beautiful !

[@JRF777]

Beautiful piece of music combined with dreamed melody of Satie...

[@LegendoftheGalacticHero]

Thank you for sharing this

[@FernandoMendoza-dw8nz]

This is absolutely beautiful. Makes me think of an oasis in the middle of a barren desert.

[@slangoftheregions]

this was and still is my all time favorite song. never heard the full original version before though

[@inukaiversus]

Ah, thanks so much. I haven't seen this anime for so LONG. >< Thanks again for helping me.

[@akingungormus7428]

Can you please give me a link to the anime?

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

Very soft comfortable music..

[@ALegitimateYoutuber]

this is such a great and relaxing song, i love it.

[@spookydas]

this song has been in my head all day long, and i love it.

[@Cemlorot]

i hear some erik satie

[@PAJA63]

It's a hallmark for her whole career, being able to touch upon some great classic or ethnic or other great music - without making it sound like a rip-off. This kind of quality gives the music of Yōko Kanno a golden lining. :-)

[@Cemlorot]

yeah, that's why her music so fluidly beautiful

[@RinnieRoo]

Jazzy Adam ikr

[@nihil45]

Gymnopédie No.1... My favourite piece of all time.

could you name some pieces by him that sound like this please?

[@se7emarcelo]

Beautiful... This melody was used in the soundtrack of an old anime, I guess was Scawflone. Delightfull to hear, thanks...

[@2706mauricio]

Una joya para los ñoños de todo el Orbe, no maduren nunca se perderan la belleza del amanecer y esto.....

[@PhilospherDjPsychologist24]

All that work and it amounted to nothing it did demonstrate the character of those who built it, that can't be disputed but what comfort is that knowing you have to start over again

[@_c294]

Sounds like "Sora", beautiful !

[@RegulaVestus]

The first part is the same melody. =)

[@emilyp8928]

Aw this came out the year I was born!

[@PeiyunPianist]

This music makes me feel like I'm traveling to so many places and so far away from my home

[@nathansnow11]

Long live this relic❤

[@theGatheringPlaceSOX]

Simply beautiful

[@Serasia]

Oh, a remix of Sora. I really like the main instrument here. Oboe, clarinet--I admit even after I'm told over and over, I can never remember how to tell them apart. But I've heard both of them, and I like them a lot. I like that this version of Sora is quieter and more leisurely.

[@nickcomposer]

Actually, this came first, and Sora's theme was taken from it. The instrument is alto saxophone.

[@Serasia]

Cool. :) Thanks for explaining!

[@auriels1451]

Its a shame that u dont really get to hear classical-style saxophone that much in anime ;((( - But thanks to Kanno we have this amazing piece omg I love playing this on sax!!!

[@junkyb]

I wish I knew this piece existed when I was picking my alto sax concerto piece for my senior year. I didn't watch Escaflowne til a few years later to discover the song and its origins.

[@kk4247a]

A tender lament for all - to be human is to live in the Tower of Babel. I take this song as a commission to love and understand.

[@TwilighMidna]

This song is great.

[@mariahervas5503]

It's a precious version of sora's song

[@tjippo8197]

This is a true masterpiece.

[@mariusyapo9070]

Wonderful

[@danukah]

couldn't be this more awesome?*-*

[@DjisasXIII]

This reminds me, gotta rewatch that Escaflowne movie

[@sailormaria]

sora!!!! just love it

[@ChipLinck]

Thanks, I knew I recognized it, but couldn't place it.

[@DME309]

Bitter Sweet

[@nomade_078]

I love music, but this is not music, this is something greater than music, this is yoko kano.

[@jorgeamaro2686]

Nomade _0 no this is exactly what music is

[@NGEvangeliman]

yoko kanno, shiro sagisu, and nobuo uematsu are the best composers in entertainment...

[@ukhio]

I have followed Yoko for years. She is so special. I always find something new in every album I get. Damn My favourite female composer.

[@passion_flora]

ukhio let’s be honest, she’s better than a ton of male composers. Her genius and, say, Hisaishi’s genius are insurmountably unique. At this level, it’s not even a matter of competition but of taste.

[@ciri4kgaming7]

You forgot ur hat.

[@djefardeur7958]

dope

[@dariorojas2581]

I love this :)

[@smilecolorsan]

oh snap! I have this song!!! I didn't realize it was called something else! Sora! :)

[@phase866]

I swear I can here a bit of Sora in here. Anyways, I just finished up Patricia Nell Warren's The Front Runner and I swear, this is an awesome OST to listen to while ending that book. Like, damn. I can't hold all of these feels man.

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

Oh, this is DEFINITELY Sora.

[@salvadorlopezsalas8766]

@@TheWickedWizardOfOz1 totalmente

[@user-we9te9sy3t]

great music

[@user-bz9hw6ul7i]

очень красиво...

[@lewislen]

i love this song!

[@StephenPageSax]

Another version of Yoko Kanno's music for saxophone can be heard here!! : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iovKZaqHmbiSisU

[@tammy2755]

Music is the sound of emotions

[@lanchanoinguyen2914]

she is very talent,i hard to admit someone.

[@Soloduerme93]

Thisss is SORA?? the theme of the movie Escaflowne : a girl in Gaea... wow this is the first time i listened this track... is soo soft and confortable great creation , yoko kanno :D

[@Eoxamotl]

@cycyuts Yes, it's one of her earliest album, and she reused some melodies for her next songs. I'll post other tracks from "The Creation" but I'd like to make know some other albums I love, before ;)

[@PoseidonKross2009]

This song sounds as good as a soft pillow feels :)

[@sadfor1day551]

From 2021

[@Sxlemm]

Hermoso

[@theilliad4298]

i recgnized that escaflowne tune anywhere,

[@JPDSIII]

Where to purchase a physical album of The Creation by Yoko Kanno?

[@BibtheChib]

Wow, my views are finally stacking this up to 1M huh

[@solidradin4]

im making a dnd hombrew bout the tower of babylon and im sure as heck im using this and the ending song

[@Ardent_Imaginator_Sai]

WOW!

[@Yamaneko81]

Hey its sora!

[@SacredMovementJM]

+Yamaneko81 yeah what the heck! lol

[@aultinbarltino]

+Yamaneko81 i recognised it too :') haven't heard this song since witnessing an extremely emotional moment in one of my fave anime (if you've seen clannad, you'll probs know what i mean)

[@IgnitWacom]

+Yamaneko81 She used this melody in Sora too, but this was the first version.

[@marijaisai]

Which one you mean?

[@rei_cirith]

@@aultinbarltino I have not, but now I'm curious. Any video links?

[@giminkim9282]

sehr angenehm

[@Urcanto]

Esta canción es la mejor me gusta siempre la escucho me hace llorar es como una arma de doble filo me gusta pero me lastima esta hermosa escucharla me hace recordar que perdi algo que nuca lo recupere hermosa melodía

[@chantelbrown7501]

yeah, this is Sora!! I knew it sounded familiar!!

[@theGatheringPlaceSOX]

you can hear the inspiration