CD REVIEW - THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND


The Possibility of an Island
Music by Mathis B. Nitschke
MovieScore Media MMS09007
16 Tracks 40:45 mins

Yet another new name to me, Mathis B. Nitschke, gets a release on MovieScore Media, with his score for last year's The Possibility of an Island, which was directed by Michel Houllebecq from his own novel. Apparently the composer has written predominantly stage and concert works up to this point, which is probably why his name has thus far gone under my radar.
The score is performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic and Choir, with featured soloists Klaus-Peter Werani (viola), Julia Scholzel (piano), who also co-composed the track "The Prophet's Piano," and Irmgard Gorzawski (harp); the album getting under way with the "Beginning Titles," with viola leading the orchestra in a somewhat melancholy tune that speaks of loneliness. By complete contrast, "Fanfare" is a big and bold piece for brass and drums. This is followed by "The Last Phase," which starts quietly and builds Nyman-like to a big conclusion. "Animator Leaves" sees the viola return to lead a rather bleak sound scape. "Tango" again provides contrast, starting quietly, though the viola again features as the music becomes more forceful, before fading away again. Again, the instrument features, this time unaccompanied in another bleak track "In the Desert." The longest track so far follows, "Daniel23 Leaves," and follows a similar pattern as some of the preceding tracks, starting out quietly, before building quite weightily to its impressive choir-accompanied conclusion. The viola again returns in "Reincarnation," soaring above a subdued orchestra.
The aforementioned "The Prophet's Piano" sees Ms Scholzel's instrument almost improvise its way through some weird percussion. This is followed by "La Source," which was composed by Alphons Hasselmans, and features bubbling harp. Leaving these two tracks behind, which are somewhat at odds with what has gone before, we are back with the score proper and the brief, subdued "Marie23 on Lanzarote." This is followed by the almost tragic "Rolling Titles," with viola again leading the orchestra into the "Finale," which builds dramatically to another impressive choral crescendo, before fading away to nothingness.
Two forgettable vocal tracks follow, the second a dance track, with composer Nitschke providing the lyrics and vocal; with the final track, the offbeat carnival-styled "Cakace Waltz." All best ignored if one is to savour Nitschke's quite brief, but interesting score.
Go to www.moviescoremedia.com/possibility.html for more details, samples, and to purchase and download, or you can probably still track down a copy of the CD from your usual soundtrack outlet.