The Relache Chronicles

Episode Twenty-Nine: Michael NymanMichael Nyman is a composer of concert music, film scores and the author of a book  that   influenced countless composers and educators in the late twentieth century that embraced musical styles counter to the modernist music of European and American composers whose works dominated university faculties worldwide. Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond certainly influenced the producing team here at The Relache Chronicles. Michael’s music for films is likely best known for those directed by Peter Greenaway. His score for Jane Campion’s film, “The Piano” is possibly his best-known work. Michael’s music has been referenced as “…taking no prisoners…” It is hard-driving, episodic, repetitive, at times very loud, and always unique. So, of course, it attracted the Relache Ensemble who then commissioned him to write a piece that is titled “HRT.”  Composed in 1995-96, “HRT” was a dominant work in The Relache Ensemble’s repertoire during those years, and it was recorded on the Monroe Street Music label in 1997, now out of print. It is that recording  and a conversation about Michael we’ll feature on this episode. The members of The Relache ensemble were Laurel Wyckoff, flutes and piccolo;  Ken Ulansey, saxophone and clarinet; Lloyd Shorter, oboe and English horn; Jon Gaarder, bassoon;  Kathleen Carroll, viola; Douglas Mapp, bass and electric bass.