Composer

:

Michael Nyman

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

41:17

A Zed & Two Noughts is a film score composed by Michael Nyman for the 1985 film of the same name directed by Peter Greenaway. The score was recorded by the Michael Nyman Band and released on vinyl, cassette, and CD in 1985. The film score is divided into six movements, each corresponding to a different scene in the film. The first movement, "Angelfish Decay," is a slow and mournful piece featuring a solo violin and cello. The second movement, "Car Crash," is a frenzied and chaotic piece that accompanies a scene of a car crash. The third movement, "Time Lapse," is a minimalist piece that features a repeating piano motif and gradually builds in intensity. The fourth movement, "Prawn Watching," is a playful and whimsical piece that features a prominent marimba and xylophone. The fifth movement, "Up for Crabs," is a fast-paced and energetic piece that features a driving rhythm section and a prominent saxophone solo. The final movement, "Bird List," is a slow and contemplative piece that features a solo piano and cello. The score is characterized by Nyman's signature minimalist style, which features repetitive motifs and simple harmonic structures. The use of the Michael Nyman Band, which includes saxophones, clarinets, and percussion, gives the score a unique and distinctive sound. The score also features a number of solo instruments, including violin, cello, and piano, which add a sense of intimacy and emotion to the music. A Zed & Two Noughts premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1985 and was released in the United Kingdom in September of the same year. The film was well-received by critics and has since become a cult classic. The score has also received critical acclaim and has been praised for its innovative use of minimalist techniques and its unique instrumentation.

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