Thousand Pieces of Gold

Thousand Pieces of Gold is the rich and dramatic soundtrack of the highly praised 1990 film about a Chinese woman sold into slavery during the Gold Rush of the American Northwest. Based on a true story retold by Ruthann Lum McCumm, the movie focuses on the plight of Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century, and their courageous and dignified struggle for freedom. Gary Remal Malkin's touching soundtrack captures the heart of the film's beauty and power, using both modern Western and traditional Chinese instruments and orchestration. An ethnomusicologist who has written and produced music for television and films, Malkin spent many years in avid study of the music of Bali, India, and China, as well as studying with master musician Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. One of his great dreams is realized in Thousand Pieces of Gold — to successfully integrate Eastern and Western music. From first listening, this moving mosaic of Chinese flutes, synthesizers, butterfly harp, guzheng, erhu and acoustic guitar is a delight even for those who may not regularly explore the realms of Eastern music.