Customer Reviews

Michael Nyman: String Quartets 1-3 - Balanescu Quartet

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michael nyman came in to the music world spotlight when the 1993 film the piano, which featured his score, became a worldwide hit. many a wedding ceremony was graced with the lovely, haunting piano pieces and i even used the music as part of my mother's memorial service.

although many of his other film scores, especially carrington, lend themselves to emotional states, his chamber music is, in contrast, delightfully astringent yet as lyrical at the film scores.

the second quartet is based on indian dance rhythms and is spiky and funky as it can possibly be within the realm of classical music. it's crying to be choreographed and already has. one more dance won't hurt--but mark, bill t, karola, pina, back off. this is mine!

the third quartet uses themes from the score of carrington and is a rich, romantic contrast to the two quartets it sits between--i love to love it and listen to it repeatedly.

the first quartet has the spirit of 1960s pop music--it's a beatles-style love-in played to perfection by the balanescu quartet.

I really enjoy these fine modern semi-minimal String Quartet pieces from Micheal Nyman. The 2nd Quartet ranges from the fast pace & danceable 1st moment to the slow & beautiful 3rd movement which almost brings tears to my eyes. I agree with the other review in regards on the 1st Quartet, this was on the boring side. But after years of being a Phillip Glass fan (Einstein of the Beach & Koyanisqatsi) before he made it famous & now just writes carbon copies of a certain single sad rift (Naqoyqatsi), Micheal Nyman does a better job (The Piano & Songbook with Ute Lemper) & only once did I not like a CD (6 Days 6 Nights). Micheal Nyman explores more emotions & has a more expansive instrumentation than Phillip Glass. Do listen to the samples in the Window Media & Real One Players, they focus on the best part of the CD, & if you like them, the 2nd Quartet is worth the price of the whole CD.

I bought this CD with an open mind, and very little exposure to Nyman's music. After listening to it twice, I began to fear that prolonged exposure to this music would cause higher brain functions to cease permanently. I put the CD back on the rack, where it gathers dust to this very day.

With some satisfaction, I see that the novelty of Nyman's music has worn off. No wonder --- everyone who liked his music must be in a coma by now.

This music is mind-numbingly repetitive and not particularly original. I suspect that Nyman wants to be Philip Glass in the worst way...and he may very well have succeeded. He does indeed appear to be Philip Glass in the worst way.