Composer

:

Michael Nyman

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

44:36

"Drowning by Numbers" is a film score composed by Michael Nyman for the 1988 British film of the same name, directed by Peter Greenaway. The score was premiered on June 10, 1988, at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film was in competition for the Palme d'Or. The score consists of ten movements, each corresponding to a different scene in the film. The first movement, "Trysting Fields," sets the tone for the film with its repetitive, driving rhythm and use of strings and woodwinds. The second movement, "Fish Beach," features a playful melody played by the clarinet and accompanied by a pizzicato string section. The third movement, "Sheep and Tides," is a slower, more contemplative piece that features a solo cello. The fourth movement, "Wheelbarrow Walk," is a lively, upbeat piece that features a prominent xylophone part. The fifth movement, "Dead Man's Catch," is a haunting, atmospheric piece that features a solo violin and a choir of female voices. The sixth movement, "Drowning by Number 2," is a tense, suspenseful piece that features a driving rhythm and a prominent brass section. The seventh movement, "Knowing the Ropes," is a playful, upbeat piece that features a prominent accordion part. The eighth movement, "Endgame," is a slow, mournful piece that features a solo piano and a choir of male voices. The ninth movement, "Trysting Fields Reprise," is a reprise of the first movement, but with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The final movement, "Wheelbarrow Walk Reprise," is a reprise of the fourth movement, but with a slower tempo and a more somber mood. Overall, the score for "Drowning by Numbers" is characterized by its use of repetitive, driving rhythms, its playful melodies, and its haunting, atmospheric passages. Nyman's use of strings, woodwinds, and percussion creates a unique and memorable sound that perfectly complements the film's surreal and darkly comedic tone.

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