The Piano
If you are going to get any album of Michael Nyman's this is the place to start. A hauntingly beautiful, evocative score, it has been my choice of hangover music since I first discovered it :) He captures so much emotion in this music that it is almost overwhelming. This album would be my number one desert island disc.
Gattaca
This soundtrack comes a very close second. Once again, a haunting, minimalist score, chilling at times to reflect the sanitised world the movie inhabits. But romantic and beautifully heart tugging :) As with most of Nyman's music, it is so easy just to immerse yourself in it.
This soundtrack comes a very close second. Once again, a haunting, minimalist score, chilling at times to reflect the sanitised world the movie inhabits. But romantic and beautifully heart tugging :) As with most of Nyman's music, it is so easy just to immerse yourself in it.
Wonderland
And in joint second with Gattaca, comes this wonderful score - of which I have never actually seen the film, which might give some idea how good this music is to stand alone. Sensitive, simple, intense, I am repeating myself in each of these reviews I'm afraid, but Nyman's ability to stir up emotions with his music is just unsurpassed. This soundtrack relies a lot more on strings (the previous two concentrating more on piano) and, well, I'm a sucker for strings done so beautifully :) For many people this is actually Nyman's career highlight.
The Claim
In third place, a score for a film that, once again, I have not seen! This score at times feels more expansive that the previous three, as if we have gone outdoors. I don't know if this makes any sense, purely a personal feeling :) Maybe the music is a little more outward looking. But like the previous three, it still conveys emotions tenderly and simply, but without touching me *quite* as deeply as the previous scores. That said it is *still* a beautiful, emotive score, just not quite at the level of the previous three - for me anyway :)
The End of the Affair
This is the last of this particular style of Nyman soundtrack that I own. Melancholic, romantic music again in a beautiful, relaxed, simple style and pace. All these scores have almost an ambient feel. Similar to the previous score, I really like this album, but it does not (for me) reach quite the heights of the previous soundtracks.
The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover
This is a slightly disturbing, eclectic, dark and lovely soundtrack that demands a totally different mood and more effort from the listener than the previously listed scores. I would like to associate the music with the film, unfortunately it has been many years since I saw it, so I have no real recollection (other than that it was a *strange* movie, and I kinda liked it) of what it is Nyman's score is describing. And unlike the previous scores I list here, this score I think would benefit from that extra little bit of input :) All that said, this is still a worthy addition to any Nyman collection!
A Zed & Two Noughts
Almost everything I mentioned about the previous score, I could say about this one. A disturbing, strange score, best described by a reviewer (on that amazon link) who said 'demented fairground music gone wrong'. I might not go that far :) but it certainly requires effort on the part of the listener; that said, this effort *will* be rewarded, and once again a lovely piece of music will emerge!
As I find more of his soundtracks, I will add them in here.
Slán! Jim.
Hmmm ... Updated 02 November 2009: Wonderland has moved up to joint number 1 with The Piano - it really is a *lovely* soundtrack :)
