The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (soundtrack)

The soundtrack to Peter Greenaway's 1989 film The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover was composed by Michael Nyman. It is largely considered one of Nyman's most recognizable and successful film scores. The music is characterized by its minimalist style, repetitive structures, and incorporation of Baroque influences, particularly from Henry Purcell.

The album, released alongside the film, features key themes and variations that recur throughout the movie to emphasize specific characters, emotions, and plot points. Notable tracks include "Memorial," which is a recurring motif associated with the film's themes of death and violence, and "Miserere," a choral piece that adds a layer of gravitas to the film's stark imagery. The soundtrack as a whole contributes significantly to the film's overall atmosphere of grotesque beauty and operatic drama.