Gattaca

Composer: Michael Nyman
Lable (Release Year): Virgin (1997)
Availability: ****
Rating: ****

I am not a fan of Michael Nyman but I did want to own this score very much at one point. In the Christmas break of 98, all I did was watching movies (about 70!) as I had Chicken Pox. Gattaca was being one of them. I was impressed by both the movie and the score very much. The music for the scene that Jerome swimming with his brother is just very moving. As a result this was on the top of my want list.

Before you read anything I write, you should read what the director, Andrew Niccol has written:

"'As Nightfall does not come at once. Neither Does Oppression. It is in such Twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we become victims of the darkness.' - Justice William O. Douglas

"The Twilight is the feeling that Michael Nyman has captured in the music for Gattaca.

"Film music is best when it says something that we actors and the picture cannot express. When it can convey both hope and sorrow in the same composition, then it is truly remarkable. "

Well, I could not have said it any better. Nyman's music does capture the feeling of Twilight very well. The music does not have a elaborate orchestration. It is very simple and with mostly unison patterns accompanied by simple chord. The mostly strings and piano plus occasional woodwinds orchestrations set the mood of the twilight very well. The color of the music is almost black and white but not quite. It's like the mild color you see during twilight. French horns are used but only in a few places. The whole score has a very gentle pace: not too fast and not too slow. The music leans against more on the low key side but it is very lyrical. You will not whisle along with it but you would like to close your eyes and enjoy the melodies very much. The score resembles parts of his score to The Piano. Although the music carries a bit of sorrow, it will not leave you in a sad mood. You will find yourself very calm and peaceful. The only upbeat track is "Becoming Jerome". It is just a great track and I guarantee that it will be in your all-time favorite list. Although, most of the tracks are very short (less than 2 minutes), the flow of the album is very well. For those who have not owned a Michael Nyman album, I highly recommend this one to you.



    Track Listing:
  1. The Morrow (3:13)
  2. God's Hand (1:42)
  3. The One Moment (1:40)
  4. Traces (1:00)
  5. The Arrival (3:53)
  6. Becoming Jerome (1:06)
  7. Call Me Eugene (1:24)
  8. A Borrowed Ladder (2:43)
  9. Further and Further (2:43)
  10. Not The Only One (2:14)
  11. Second Morrow (2:24)
  12. Impromptu for 12 Fingers (2:55)
    (From Schubert's Impromptu in G Flat Major, OP. 90, No. 3")
  13. The Crossing (1:24)
  14. It Must Be The Light (1:23)
  15. Only A Matter Of Time (1:07)
  16. I Thought You Wanted To Dance (1:13)
  17. Irene's Theme (1:09)
  18. Yourself For The Day (2:30)
  19. Up Stairs (2:02)
  20. Now That You're Here (2:44)
  21. The Truth (2:13)
  22. The Other Side (2:44)
  23. The Departure (2:51)
  24. Irene & The Morrow (5:44)
    Total Time: 55:10



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