Nyman: The Piano Concerto / MGV

The unmistakable musical language of Michael Nyman has long colored the soundworlds of film, theater, contemporary dance, and more. Perhaps his most enduringly popular film score is that for The Piano, Jane Campion’s haunting 1993 period drama. The composer later recast some of it to create a substantial four-movement concerto. This impressive recording from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra features a splendidly fiery performance from pianist Kathryn Stott. MGV—Musique à Grande Vitesse—was written the same year to celebrate the opening of the French TGV line in northern Europe and is given irrepressible verve by the Michael Nyman Band.