Customer Reviews

The Belly of an Architect

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm sorry for my english, I'm spanish. I only want to say that Wim Vertens changed my life. Please , why this person is not a famous compositor? I am not an old person that hate pop music. I'm 22 and a electronic music composer in Spain, I talk about Wim Vertens discography not only this cd. His music go inside my mind and the time stop, When I finish I don't know where I am, who I am, I only know that my life has one way, be happy. Five stars for this person that love the life.

This soundtrack for the Peter Greenaway film of the same name almost steals the film with it's careening, cyclical piano pieces perfectly matching architect Stourley Cracklite's world slowly collapsing amidst the Roman ruins of contemporary Rome. The soundtrack to the film is one of the few by Peter Greenaway that does not feature his usual partner in crime Michael Nyman. The soundtrack was initially developed by New York based minimalist composer Glenn Branca, but was largely rejected by Greenaway. An earlier release of this soundtrack did feature a few dramatic Brancian orchestral swells, but unfortunately this release (given the track listing) seems to have left these pieces off, which is a shame.

This release features the brilliant work of Belgian minimalist piano composer Wim Mertens, and is utterly stunning in it's emotional intensity, power and beauty, with cyclical piano motifs spinning the listener around in an intense but gorgeous emotional journey. Some of the work covered on this soundtrack can be found on Mertens' career highlight release 'Close Cover' (sadly out of print at the time of this writing). Those interested in work by Glenn Branca should also look to explore his early 80's orchestrated guitar recordings (some of which are not for the fainthearted), as well as 1992's sublime 'The World Upside Down'.

This is one of the best soundtrack recordings I have ever heard, and still sends chills through me almost ten years after seeing the film. It also represents an excellent introduction to the works of two very under-rated yet important modern composers.

This being, to my knowledge, one of the few soundtracks to a Peter Greenaway movie not done by Michael Nyman, it provides an excellent balance of sorrowful and contemplative themes with an uplifting overtone. Hence, I have listened to it both in times of dismay and joy. The piano and woodwinds in the fourth measure are exquisite as is the melody in the second. It is the perfect compliment to Greenaway's story of a man whose health is dwindling along with his marriage. Moving and powerful.

A superb album, The flow and rythm draw the listener in. Track 4 would be my favourite. I am often reminded of evenings and nights spent sitting on a beach breathing in the setting. These have been for a number of reasons and yet the music has managed to touch many of them. I recommend a darkened room, a fire, a bottle of wine and a wandering mind. As a soundtrack alone, the music complemented the film perfectly. If you have watched the film you will be reminded of the scenes that each piece was created to accompany. I thoroughly recommend it.

Wim Mertens is my favourite minimalist along with Philip Glass. This soundtrack has it all. Great themes - probably the most memorable themes of any other soundtrack and intense atmospheric playing. The production of this CD though is very 'minimal', more so than any CD you'll ever buy for $20. I can not think of any other CD of that price range lacking all the essentials. A pitty.... 5+ * for the music, 1 - * for the package.

After listening to this album at a friend of mines, I decided to learn to play the piano. Strange as it may sound, it was not until I heard this record that I realized what an incredibly POTENT instrument the piano really is. (I know this is not really useful information for you, I just thought it might be funny to know)

If you like nice orchestral music, often stirring emotions of love and heartbreak, but still uplifting, go buy this album. It's that easy. I first heard a song from Wim on a Cafe Del Mar album and had to buy his entire album. It was obviously worth it and I think you'll agree when you listen to it. So go buy it.

I have not seen the Peter Greenways'film.. and maybe
I won't do that.. I am afraid to get dissapointed because
for me this CD reflects so much creativity and passion.
Three tracks are for me some of the best piano compositions ever:

1.Struggle for plaeasure
the piano, like Life,
begins slowly, softly,
marking the rhythm gently
then it becomes
sharp needles spining and falling from the sky
The wind instruments
are the vital fast breathing to survive Life

2. 4 mains

the piano marchs
the piano spins
the piano climbs
the piano falls

3. Close cover
If I have to choose the soundtrack for my life
it would be this piece