Search - Michael Nyman :: The End of the Affair: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1999 Film)

Pretty, but not particularly original

12/08/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Nyman that are familiar with his scores for 1990's The Hairdresser's Husband and 1997's Gattaca and liked them, will probably like this disc as it heavily relies on strings and is based on simple and emotional melodies. Hardened fans of the louder, pulsing and drivin work for Nyman's band, or more difficult concert work only, should likely stay away from this one. Generally likable with plenty of the music fueled by sensuality mixed with pain that Nyman is so good at, but not particularly ambitious or original. Fans will be glad to see him working with violinist Alexander Balanescu again though!"

Not top-quality Nyman, maybe, but still a class act

N. Daniele Pietro | Milano, MI Italy | 03/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This score is an example of the warmer, more extrovert style the Nyman began to adopt in the past few years, against his "trademark" style (chugging rythms, saturated strings etc.), now used principally in concert works. "The end of the affair" reminded me of the wonderful "Gattaca", but on a lesser level: the orchestral palette is less varied and the inspiration level is not so exceptionally high. So, while this music works wonderfully with the (very good) movie, it's lesssuccessful as a piece of music in itself. Still,it's music-making of a pretty high order, which effectively evokes the feelings of an ill-fated love story ,and Nyman fans should not hesitate. Also, given that nowadays the average level of soundtracks is usually miserable (you know, 10 min. of music and the rest is a bunch of second-hand pop-rap songs not even heard in the movie!) this is a release to enjoy for everybody."

Carrington Revisted and Watered Down

Scott Andrew Hutchins | Bronx, NY, USA | 01/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't seen the film (Andrew Sarris's best of the year) yet, but it sounds like Neil Jordan temp-tracked the film with _Carrington_ (also by Nyman), and told him to copy the temp track. While I began to appreciate the score for what it is after listening to it a number of times, its relation to the other score is remarkable. The only energetic piece is "Vigo Passage", the most blatant re-use of a theme from _Carrington_, while the romantic music is good, but nothing to make it stand out from the more original but similar _GATTACA_. It's not enough of a disappointment to make me stop buying Nyman albums as they come out, and I wouldn' want to return it, but it's probably bst for those who like the film or Nyman's more romantic scores. It just goes to prove that what someone is recognized for (the score was nominated for a Golden Globe that went to Ennio Morricone) isn't their best output, as Nyman's other scores for 1999 were much more striking and original."