"What can I say about this score? It moves me so deeply. When I saw the film one of the many, many things that struck me was this wonderful music. I bought it right away and listen to it often. The melodies are so haunting, lonely and melancholy that it can break my heart listening to it. My favorite track is "The Morrow" wich is repeated, in variations again and again, always slightly changing the feeling or meaning. Beautiful! I'm sorry his work isn't more recognized. But don't let that stop you from enjoying some truly moving score work here. And while you're at it check out the film too."
The way a good soundtrack SHOULD sound
Bruce Aguilar | 08/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An amazing piece of art. This soundtrack is how a true movie soundtrack should be done. Gattaca is a modern-day masterpiece, chilling in its reality, encouringing in its portrayal of the human spirit. After watching the hidden threads of romance, self-determination, science fiction, social commentary, and reality weave themselves into a beautifully complex movie, I thought that the soundtrack would a welcomed compliment. To my surprise, the music has a depth all to its own. Every theme in the movie is captured in the very notes of every song, but Nyman also captured the one thing that seemed intangible about the movie: the mood. Throughout the movie, one felt this eerily intriguing mood and Nyman captured that mood better than I have ever heard. Definitely, a treat for movie lovers and music lovers alike. Scores like these will be the masterpieces of the future."
NYMAN SCORES OSCAR WITH GATTACA, BUT THE ACADEMY IGNORES IT.
G. McDermott | Palm Springs | 07/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I saw "Gattaca" I fell in love with the music which is composed by Michael Nyman (The Piano, Carrington, Drowning By Numbers, etc.).Nyman structures the music to really feel in your soul about what you really want in life and how you have to sometime make sacrifices. The music hits you in the SOUL.This soundtrack never loses a beat throughout its entire spin. What baffles me that Nyman who has never won an oscar for scoring was totally ignored even for a nomination for this wonderful masterpiece (Gattaca)....a shame....but of course John Williams, and Bill Conti get nominated time after time for the same ole schtick.Other wonderful compositions by Nyman are also one of my favorits "The Draughtmans Contract", and "Prosperos Books".Nyman is a truly gifted composer who still has not got his due.A wonderful CD with beautiful composition."
Michael Nyman - a composer too often overlooked
anthemic | Australia | 03/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first came to hear Michael Nyman's work from Greenaway's 'The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover' and Campion's 'The Piano'. Having found his work to be of an exceptional standard - I instantly bought this CD after seeing the film. It soon became one of my favourites. In many ways, Gattaca echoes 'The Piano' although there is only one solo piano track (Schubert's Impromptu Op90 no.3)here. Rather, this soundtrack is more string oriented - although the formal and stylistic concerns still remain.An emotional tenderness is prevalent throughout this whole CD with tracks being divided into two main tempos - slow and medium. The opening track begins with 'The Morrow', with synthesized textures reminiscent of Phillipe Sarde's 'Quest For Fire'. When used in 'Gattaca' the unity of visual and sound is just spellbinding - as we see skin and hair fall on the ground. His choice of high notes are not unfamiliar. The string arrangement here becomes the motif winding in and out of other tracks. Many other tracks are great but if you put a gun to my head and force me to name my other favourites then they would be...(2)'God's Hands' - a second motif (3)'The One Moment' (5)'The Arrival' - love the lingering piano in the string composition as the end of the track finishes on high keys (6) 'Becoming Jerome' - the faster tempo brings relief (7) 'Call Me Eugene' - more lingering piano in string composition (10) 'Not the Only One' - horns to blow you away (11) 'Second Morrow' - horn arrangement echoing 'The Piano' (12) 'Impromptu' -see above (14) 'It Must Be Light' - similar to 'Second Morrow' (21) 'The Truth' - simply tender (23) 'The Departure'. It is interesting how many of Nyman's works accompany those films with alienated characters (see Ada in 'The Piano' or Georgina in 'The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover'). I am not sure if it is the excellence of Nyman on his own terms or his incredible connection with the film(s). Whatever the case - if you cherished his previous soundtrack works, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed here. I am very hard to please when it comes to films and soundtracks and don't always give a 5-star rating but in this case it is truly deserved!"
Amazing
Jeremy J. Heesch | Phoenix, AZ United States | 09/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Nyman is a genius. I don't really know if anything else needs to be said. His skill in creating tracks that so perfectly reflect the mood of the subject is nearly without equal. In particular on this album, I like the theme, which is Morrow, and it's used as a basis for other tracks on the disc, my favorite being The Other Side. The power of the music in Morrow is great, but The Other Side is just breathtaking. A great soundtrack from a great movie."