Notes On A Scandal Soundtrack CD

Composer: Philip Glass.
Audio Mixer: Michael Riesman.
Liner Note Authors: Richard Eyre; Philip Glass.
Recording information: Air Studios, London, England.
Richard Eyre's film NOTES ON A SCANDAL stars Cate Blanchett as a free-spirited teacher who is arrested for having sex with an underage student. The film is distinguished by its intelligent script, powerful performances, and harrowing emotional dynamics, as well as its excellent score (courtesy of Phillip Glass). As with THE THIN BLUE LINE and THE HOURS, Glass created a piece of music that not only helps build mood and atmosphere, but actually enhances the sense of dramatic development. Glass's score underpins the emotional intensity of the film, yet it still falls in line with the composer's signature style in its use of repeating motifs and world-music influences
With his music for The Hours and Notes on a Scandal, Philip Glass seems to be carving out a niche for himself as a scorer of intensely dramatic films with strong female roles. Intense, dramatic and strong are all words that also apply to Notes on a Scandal's score, along with restraint: as with The Hours, the music conveys complicated emotional dynamics -- this time, between two teachers, one nearing retirement, the other a "wispy novice" -- with distance and silence as well as carefully placed moments of drama. Chilly but subdued pieces like "The History" have a subtle air of foreboding that turns into churning, nervous energy and sawing strings on "Confession" and "It's Your Choice." Even softer tracks, such as "Invitation" and "Good Girl," have an uneasiness and creepiness in their sinuous melodies that suggest the film's uncomfortable seductions. As majestic and beautifully played as this music is, it's far from easy listening -- but that's exactly its point. ~ Heather Phares