Michel Houellebecq directed the film version of his novel La Possibilité d'une île and hired German composer Mathis B. Nitschke to write the original score. Nitschke has written numerous scores for the stage as well as concert works, and his score for Possibility of an Island showcases several epic elements, including a fanfare and romantic statements where the orchestra is joined by choir, but it also features many intimate moments with solos for viola and piano, and a quirky electronic waltz...

The soundtrack to The Possibility of an Island is, for the most part, an enjoyable affair. While the orchestral score is worth owning, I wasn't so keen on the strange collection of other genres tagged onto the end (a weak pop song, a strange dance track and a bizarre electronica offering). However, you can simply think of those as extras, if you like, that you don't have to listen to more than once (and you probably won't want to either).

Highlights, for me, included:

'Fanfare', which has a hint of Maurice Ravel's Boléro and ends with a segment that is very reminiscent of the opening movement of Richard Strauss's 'Also sprach Zarathustra' (or the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey, if you like).

The second half of 'Daniel23 Leaves', which sent a chill down my spine, has beautiful off-key segments.

'Marie23 on Lanzarote', which is a mellow track.

'Rolling Titles', which is the best, and most moving track, in this collection.

'Finale', which packs plenty of themes and fantastic chord changes in such a short space. It also helps that there's some beautiful choral work included.

The three tracks that conclude this album are 'Sexy Queen' (a not overly exciting pop song - which annoyingly grows on you over time); 'Tanze!' (a rather odd rave/dance track); and 'Cakace Waltz' (which sounds like a reject track from an early incarnation of Tetris.)

If you pretend that the last three tracks on the album aren't there, then this is a beautiful collection of moving orchestral themes that will touch something deep within your soul.

9

Darren Rea