This album ,which combines a significant CD-ROM element, is one of two discs
we have received for review this month from Museum Music. The other is 'Alfred
Hitchcock, music from his films'). Museum Music is a New York-based multi-media
company that creates, produces and distributes specially-designed,
state-of-the-art compact discs for museums and other special interest markets.
[Enquiries to Trish Ireland, V.P. Sales and Marketing, Museum Music Inc.
451 Greenwich Street 2nd floor, New York NY 10013. Phone: 631-351-6978
and fax 631-351-6992 www:museummusic.com]
30X30 is music by Joel Goodman for a documentary film, The Making of the
J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Goodman has composed score
for a number of films notably for those shown at the Sundance Film Festival.
He has also scored for television including the NBC Olympic Preview, ABC's
Family Matters and NBC's Saturday Night Live.
Goodman's score is compelling, if not particularly literally evocative
of construction activity even though the cue titles are so orientated ('Stone
select', Pouring concrete for example) - which, of course, makes for a more
interesting listening experience. His style for 30X30 so named because the
architectural plan for the J Paul Getty Center is based on a 30X30 grid,
is close to that of Philip Glass. The textures are frequently rich and the
design polytonal with interesting juxtapositionings of his often exotic
instrumental resources as in the ethnic drums of 'Silk Road' that mixes Arabian
and Oriental modes; and 'Prayer' that transports us to the top of the world
for Tibetan-like music. The score has a distinct world music orientation
with a mix of many styles. There is a Hispanic influence appropriate to the
history, culture and proportionate population of California. Goodman's score
is attractively melodic and has both power and lyricism.
The CD-ROM element is impressively designed. The film clip shows many views
of the J Paul Getty Museum, prominently located on a hilltop. It is a magnificent
design with beautiful curving lines, predominantly white with much use of
a light coloured stone, travertine, imported from Italy to give it a rough
cast yet timeless quality.
Reviewer
Ian Lace
Music:
CD-ROM:
OST
