Nyman Says... 'Repeat'!

[snyprrr]

There, have at it!!

[snyprrr]

String Quartets 1-3 (Balanescu Quartet; Ardo)

I think this is the only real proper Nyman disc I have, technically it's a 'classic'... I mean, you know, at the time it was something somewhat different. The 1st was written for the Ardittis (main reason for purchase) and has a Beatles-meet-Shankar sound that is somewhat appealing.

Now, since I don't have it here, I get 2 and 3 mixed up, but, the latest one is in the 'slow' Minimalist mode, which makes it more pleasing and less overtly 'annoying' (for those who have small tolerance for the meat-and-potatoes of Minimalism). Overall, if I had to compare Glass's Kronos disc with this, then it's no challenge at all: I'd heartily go with the Glass. Glass's SQs seem so much more organic, perhaps only his first two have that 'typical' Glass/Nyman feel, whereas Nyman seems to prefer staying in that 'endless' place.

Sure, I've enjoyed the SOUNDTRACKS, which, I suppose, is what makes this type of music utilitarian: it certainly works as expectant mood music for Thrillers and such- but, check out Klaus Sch. and Tangerine Dream too... I always say (I don't) that you have to...

I'll put it this way- anything that's in Nyman's book (is it 'New Sounds'?) should ALL fall into the same category: Minimalism is just a technique- I just don't see how it is a means to any end (that END happened around 1981!!).

If you've noticed, Minimalism ISN"T ubiquitous anymore. The '70s are gone. 'Logan's Run' has been supplanted. time to move on!

[snyprrr]

WHAAAT??? You didn't like 'Nyman's Hymen'? How quietly you do your dirty business, ahhhh!!!

[springrite]

I do believe the two Nyman CDs (Song book and... another one) are the only two CDs that I have owned for more than a year (more than 10, actually), without listening to.

I forgot why I have it. Maybe it was 99c or was a freebie from BMG?

[snyprrr]

I do believe the two Nyman CDs (Song book and... another one) are the only two CDs that I have owned for more than a year (more than 10, actually), without listening to.

I forgot why I have it. Maybe it was 99c or was a freebie from BMG?

This Thread's not going to go well, is it?

[TheGSMoeller]

This Thread's not going to go well, is it?

It will be fine, I've have around 15-20 Nyman discs to discuss. Give me some time.

[Gurn Blanston]

WHAAAT??? You didn't like 'Nyman's Hymen'? How quietly you do your dirty business, ahhhh!!!

Didn't want to engage you in front of everyone. I was doing you a favor.   0:)   

[springrite]

Didn't want to engage you in front of everyone. I was doing you a favor.   0:)   

Always the gentleman.   

[TheGSMoeller]

I will say that Nyman's MGV, or Musique à Grande Vitesse is one of my favorite pieces of music.

[Ken B]

A sheep from goats moment. Here is a section of Mozart 252 by Nyman -- with a little help from WAM. I am starting it the section listing prices. This section lasts about 3 minutes. I expect many will hate it, you are warned. To me this is amongst the most viscerally exciting 3 minutes in all music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HDPzBBU5RcQ#t=549

Here is an arrangement sans list and in a performance by a youth orchestra of accordions (!!) A bit ragged, but when do you see such dedication and fun from a youth group fun playing Webern? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LAv8kVhR4U

Here it is again in several versions prefaced with, well I won't insult you by saying what. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bna5xlwdvBU

Enjoy or cringe!

[Ken B]

I will say that Nyman's MGV, or Musique à Grande Vitesse is one of my favorite pieces of music.

A man of taste and discernment I see.
Here is the last section. You miss the way it builds on and uses themes from the first bit of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOrD-OPgCMA

[snyprrr]

A sheep from goats moment. Here is a section of Mozart 252 by Nyman -- with a little help from WAM. I am starting it the section listing prices. This section lasts about 3 minutes. I expect many will hate it, you are warned. To me this is amongst the most viscerally exciting 3 minutes in all music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HDPzBBU5RcQ#t=549

Here is an arrangement sans list and in a performance by a youth orchestra of accordions (!!) A bit ragged, but when do you see such dedication and fun from a youth group fun playing Webern? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LAv8kVhR4U

Here it is again in several versions prefaced with, well I won't insult you by saying what. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bna5xlwdvBU

Enjoy or cringe!

Mumsy might like that.

It's funny, y'jknow, there IS a 'dark side' to Minimalism. We always think of Glass and Nyman, but oy!, Andriessen... and even Usto-lady, and others, make Minimalism PAINFUL!! Recently I was wondering if I had to relive a fragment over and over- even if it was the best fragment of all time- would you be able to handle it forever?

[Ken B]

Mumsy might like that.

It's funny, y'jknow, there IS a 'dark side' to Minimalism. We always think of Glass and Nyman, but oy!, Andriessen... and even Usto-lady, and others, make Minimalism PAINFUL!! Recently I was wondering if I had to relive a fragment over and over- even if it was the best fragment of all time- would you be able to handle it forever?

Vertov Sounds by Nyman. Gotta say, not a favourite. Or Noises Sounds and Sweet Airs , which is.

[TheGSMoeller]

The "Essential" Nyman might be just that, some of his best writing can be found in scores for Greenaway...




A few other top recs from my collection (sorry, short on time and energy so not as much commentary this evening)...

. .

[7/4]

An hour of Nyman on Q2: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/michael-nyman-awesome/

"Why is Michael Nyman so awesome? Is it because he writes whatever he wants, unfettered by trend or dogma? Is it because he chooses beautiful harmonies, but is always searching for that new chord? Or is it just that his music is so damn groovy? Whatever it is it all adds up to be just to the tastes of the Brothers Balliett.

Let's spend the afternoon listening to some rarely heard Nyman works. From his travels to India we'll hear his collaboration with electric mandolin virtuoso U. Shrinivas, called Compiling the Colors. Wicked groovy. For virtuoso brass, we'll hear the decidedly un-Cageian For John Cage. And to showcase his masterful vocal writing, Profit and Loss, featuring contralto Hillary Summers and bass Andrew Slater."

[TheGSMoeller]

Let's spend the afternoon listening to some rarely heard Nyman works. From his travels to India we'll hear his collaboration with electric mandolin virtuoso U. Shrinivas, called Compiling the Colors. Wicked groovy. For virtuoso brass, we'll hear the decidedly un-Cageian For John Cage. And to showcase his masterful vocal writing, Profit and Loss, featuring contralto Hillary Summers and bass Andrew Slater."

For John Cage is an exciting piece. There's a nice little writing that Nyman himself wrote about the piece in his website...

"The project title, Canons, chorales and waltzes, was rejected since there was only one canon (the opening passage for trumpets), a number of chorale-like sequences, but no true chorales and only one genuine waltz (the central group of flugelhorm sols -apart from a fake waltz over which the trumpet canon is superimosed towards the end of the piece). The following day I read in the newspaper the John Cage had died -on the day I finished composing. For this reason, but mainly because John Cage was the most revolutionary musical thinker of the twentieth century, this piece is dedicated to him. His influence on my music may be perceived under the very un-Cageian surface: though stylistically there may be little in For John Cage that may have been to his taste, I hope he would at least have appreciated its diversity and its non-simultaneous puliplicity. Texturally, the larger ten-instrument ensemble is broken down into constantly-changing smaller ensembles, while in performance an (almost) regular pulse of crotchet = 60 controls (or frees) material of diverse shapes, motion, dynamics and harmonic rhythm."



For John Cage can be found on the album Time Will Pronounce from Argo records. This is a well varied collection of Nyman's music, there is a piece featuring countertenor James Bowman along with Fretwork, the title track with the Trio of London, and a piece for harpsichord performed by Virginia Black.

[TheGSMoeller]

Miranda from Prospero's Books, the original soundtrack version and re-recorded for The Essential Michael Nyman album. The essential version features a little better audio quality and a clearer balance, also adding female voices to the mix which is an amazing touch...

http://www.youtube.com/v/g_8GebaFTFk http://www.youtube.com/v/wDyagMH0ftY


Nyman's music translates well when transcribed for different instrumentation. Perfect example, Motion Trio (3 accordions) performing Miranda along with the composer on piano and Nigel Barr on trombone. The studio version is a bit faster, and the trombone is more audible, but nothing beats the excitement of a live performance...


http://www.youtube.com/v/OTOaBELoLeg http://www.youtube.com/v/viomyLw9p4w

[Ken B]

Miranda from Prospero's Books, the original soundtrack version and re-recorded for The Essential Michael Nyman album. The essential version features a little better audio quality and a clearer balance, also adding female voices to the mix which is an amazing touch...

http://www.youtube.com/v/g_8GebaFTFk http://www.youtube.com/v/wDyagMH0ftY


Nyman's music translates well when transcribed for different instrumentation. Perfect example, Motion Trio (3 accordions) performing Miranda along with the composer on piano and Nigel Barr on trombone. The studio version is a bit faster, and the trombone is more audible, but nothing beats the excitement of a live performance...


http://www.youtube.com/v/OTOaBELoLeg http://www.youtube.com/v/viomyLw9p4w

An exceptional piece I think, showing how minimalism can do despair without heavy handed wailing noises.


There's a lesson here: Give up on Stockhausen, you've got Nyman now.

[TheGSMoeller]

There's a lesson here: Give up on Stockhausen, you've got Nyman now.

Ha! You trouble maker. 

But I do agree. 

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

I can't say I am a big fan, however, I thought Nyman's score for Gattaca to be spot-on and I listen to the soundtrack with pleasure.  Wish this film had done better at the box office - I thought it one of the best sci-fi films I'd seen in a long time.  Plus, Gore Vidal was in it - what could be wrong with that?  What else of Nyman's should I listen to?