Reviewing the film for Variety, Todd McCarthy notes that "John Williams' excellent score is dominated by Japanese instrumentations, abetted by Western-style thematic work soulfully played by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman." In The Hollywood Reporter, Kirk Honeycutt wrote: "The lavish kimonos, a sumo match, geisha dances, John Williams' lyrical East-meets-West musical score and atmospheric cinematography by Dion Beebe emphasizing deep, dark colors all are hallmarks of classic Hollywood filmmaking."

Williams' score has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award.  In a statement printed in Variety, Williams said: "I’m thrilled and gratified by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s nomination for their prestigious Golden Globe Award. Their annual recognition of selected scores contributes greatly to the awareness and appreciation of music in film and I feel privileged that they’ve included Memoirs of a Geisha among the many fine choices they’ve made this year."