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Nyman, Michael (1944-)
 

Composer

Main image of Nyman, Michael (1944-)

A prolific and highly respected composer, Michael Nyman studied at London's Royal Academy of Music and at first wrote about music for journals such as The Spectator and The New Statesman.

He wrote the musical scores for Peter Greenaway's early films, including such obscurities as A Walk Through H (1978), and his career took off in 1982 with his dazzling, darting score for The Draughtsman's Contract and on subsequent Greenaway films critics gave the soundtrack a more than cursory listen.

Nyman's technique usually involved taking simple classical pieces and expanding on them to create highly textured, emotive sounds.

His work with other British directors such as Michael Winterbottom (Wonderland (1999); The Claim (UK/Canada/France, 2001)) and Neil Jordan (The End of The Affair (UK/Germany/US, 1999)) has flourished as his relationship with Greenaway has declined.

Tim Roman, Encyclopedia of British Cinema

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Selected credits

Thumbnail image of Draughtsman's Contract, The (1982)Draughtsman's Contract, The (1982)

Peter Greenaway's typically idiosyncratic breakthrough film

Thumbnail image of Falls, The (1980)Falls, The (1980)

Peter Greenaway's catalogue of survivors of an unknown disaster

Thumbnail image of Vertical Features Remake (1978)Vertical Features Remake (1978)

Peter Greenaway's mocking parody of rigid structuralist principles

Thumbnail image of Walk Through H, A (1978)Walk Through H, A (1978)

Peter Greenaway's journey through maps of an imaginary landscape

Thumbnail image of Zed and Two Noughts, A (1985)Zed and Two Noughts, A (1985)

Animals, biology, car crashes, decay, elephants, forgery... the list goes on

Thumbnail image of Fairly Secret Army (1984-86)Fairly Secret Army (1984-86)

Sitcom about the patriotic exploits of a retired Army major

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Thumbnail image of Greenaway, Peter (1942-)Greenaway, Peter (1942-)

Director, Writer, Editor