Michael Nyman - The Cook, The Thief, The Wife And Her Lover

Numbered edition limited to 1,000 copies worldwide!

24-Bit/100kHz Mastering! This K2 HD Mastering CD will play on ALL CD players!

This recording has been mastered by the K2 HD format of 24-bit 100kHz, which creates an unbelievable sound surpassing other formats!

"Nyman deftly orchestrates a mix of strings, horns, and voices to produce another of his fetching and romantic minimalist backdrops. The opening 'Memorial' is the highlight of the lot and drives along with stuttering saxophones, an insistent string arrangement, elegiac brass solos, and the soaring vocals of soprano Sarah Leonard (Leonard would be featured on a large part of the Prospero's Books soundtrack). The piece was originally inspired by a 1985 Belgian soccer match tragedy, in which 39 Italian fans were killed. Nyman utilized a death march in his earlier Greenaway collaboration, Drowning by Numbers, and revives the scheme to great effect here for what would become the main theme of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover. Nyman contrasts the piece's climatic quality with two relatively sedate yet brooding numbers. There's also a rousing performance of his "Miserere" (performed by the London Voices choir) and a violin and piano paraphrase of the same piece to add to an already solid soundtrack. Nyman is again aided by his crack band, which includes such standouts as violinist Alexander Balanescu and tenor saxophonist John Harle. Along with the soundtracks to 'The Piano' and 'Prospero's Books,' this is an essential title in the Nyman catalog." — AllMusic

Features:
• Numbered, limited edition
• K2 HD 100kHz / 24-bit Mastering
• Made in Japan
• Includes clear protective outer sleeve

Musicians:
Michael Nyman, conductor, piano
Sarah Leonard, vocals
London Voices Choir, vocals
Alexander Balanescu, violin
John Hale, sax

1. Memorial

2. Miserere Paraphrase

3. Book Depository

4. Coupling

5. Miserere

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