NEW YORK -- Composer John Williams has received his 45th Oscar nomination. He was nominated for both "Memoirs Of A Geisha" and "Munich" this year, representing his 44th and 45th Oscar nominations.

Williams has recently won his fourth Golden Globe Award for his critically acclaimed original score for "Memoirs Of A Geisha," the Dreamworks/Columbia Pictures film based on Arthur Golden's best-selling novel. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman are soloists on the original soundtrack recording, released by Sony Classical, which is currently in stores.

"I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to compose a musical score for Rob Marshall's film, 'Memoirs Of A Geisha,'" Williams said. "For years I've admired Arthur Golden's remarkable book and it has been a wish come true to collaborate with my friends Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman on this extraordinary film."

"It is rare that you have the opportunity to work with so many people you admire on one project. John Williams sent me a copy of Arthur Golden's extraordinary book when it was first released and I have been a fan ever since. Working with John Williams and Itzhak Perlman on John's poetic and mysterious score for Rob Marshall's film 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' was a dream come true," said Yo-Yo Ma.