Customer Reviews

Nyman: The Libertine

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

 

 

Im really glad I didn't read the reviews before buying the CD because I bought the CD just for that beautiful song called "If" in the closing credits of the movie. It IS on the Cd listed as Rochester's Farewell. And it is sung by Hilary Summers exactly as in the movie.

Please note: the last song that everyone is talking about NOT being on this CD, IS on this CD. It's called Rochester's Farewell.

Anyway... this score, for which Michael Nyman again uses the strategy of variations on a few themes to build each section, provides a pretty full spectrum view on the composer's overall sound (at least regarding his film scores). There are movements based on simple piano figures that build emotionally with the aid of lush strings. That's one style. Then there is Signour Dildo, a jaunty and hysterical operatic period song. Another song called Rochester's Farewell is beautiful and, oddly enough, based on Nyman's "If" from his score to "The Diary of Anne Frank" (this, again, is the song everyone is talking about.)

Best of all is Against Constancy, a wildly energetic Nyman Band classic that is worth the price of admission, if you ask me. It's good to see he can still get away with including such music in his film scores nowadays.

That last song in the movie, the one that's not on the soundtrack, is called "If" and was originally written by Nyman for a Japanese film about Anne Frank. You can find the song on the album "The Very Best of Michael Nyman - Film Music 1980-2001." The vocal is by opera singer Hilary Summers.

Nobody has seen the movie this music is from,it received terrible reviews but the soundtrack doesn't deserve the same fate.It's Nyman's best since Wonderland though parts reminded me of Prospero's Books.Nyman has the awful luck of making great music for movies that nobody watch,except The Piano of course.But if you're a music lover that's OK because his music isn't scene specific like some scores so it can stand alone and you can create a different film in your mind to the lovely intensity of the strings.If you're Nyman fan don't let this one fall through the cracks and let's hope in the future we don't have to wait so long for a new Nyman soundtrack!

While I can't say the libertine was a totally horrible movie I can say it had it's moments. The soundtrack kept me in tune with the story and feeling of the movie, I actually couldn't wait for the credits to roll to catch the name of the composer. Seeing that it was Michael Nyman I was excited having been an instant fan of his work after seeing Gattaca. The soundtrack is worth acquiring- I skip most of the loud songs and go for the soft toned ones like "The Mistress" "The Imperfect Enjoyment" and "History of the Insipid". Great mellow soundtrack.

Nyman is probably one of the most talented composers working today.
There are some annoying pieces on here but others that more than make up for them. Brilliant stuff!

I have several Nyman's records, and this maybe the worst. Music is OK with his unique style. But the recording, the recording is so bad. This CD hurts my ear and I barely stand through it. For MN's fans, collect it no doubt. For guys looking for good CDs, this is not the one. It hurts. Austin Ince is the editor and recording, you can buy this CD if you want to test it.

It's a pity that that beautiful song, sung during the final credits, isn't here, it was gorgeous. Does anybody know where it is taken from?

Thanks

Luca from Italy

I like Nyman's work. The Piano remains one of my favorite soundtracks. It was curious that Amazon did not offer a chance to pre-listen to his The Libertine score, but I bought it anyway. When it came, neither the cover or inside art connected it with the film at all. I thought I had bought it in error. When I listened to it, I was sure of it. No resemblance to the period (Baroque) exists on any of it's tracks. True I have not yet seen the film, and considering the reviews, it is not likely to come to this market. But the music is evocative of nothing. It has no style or period. Just track after track of gloomy, meandering fingering exercises on piano with odd and really annoying staccato accents. It is the first soundtrack I have purchased in my life that did not have at least one piece to endear it to me. I plain hated it.