ENNIO MORRICONE (1928 - 2020)

Morricone has always been off/on to me. When he's on, he's REALLY on. Few can write more gobsmackingly beautiful themes than him. But when he's off -- like in most of his dissonant work -- I twitch in agony. He also has the tendency to suddenly 'break up' a beautiful theme with some offbeat effect (a rhythm, a sour note, a weird vocal track, whatever), which can often be frustrating, but it's part of who he is.

Very good composers but I wouldn't dream of putting Rombi or McKenzie anywhere near the genius of Morricone. Still, we're all made different and I'm a massive classical fan and ain't that keen on Mister Mozart so go figure.

I've heard becoming Jane, which has some very nice music in it. Others I should look into?



It's rare that I find an entire score by the man that I love (though it has happened!). He seems to write a lot of scores with one outrageously wonderful theme and a lot of other music that I find much less enjoyable. So when he opens up and unleashes one of his gorgeous themes I think there was never anyone greater at writing beautiful music. And it seems so effortless on his part! Anyway, I have massive respect for Delerue and love a great many things he has written.



Oh I wouldn't say they're anywhere near Morricone's level of genius. I think Morricone is absolutely brilliant, and more original than any other composer working. The difference is that I don't appreciate difficult music. And Rombi and McKenzie write music that is easy to love.



That's it. You and me. Parking lot. After school.

Okay, yeah, when he composes, his orchestrations are typically similar - but I LOVE that lush lush sound he creates. Sometimes it's simple, sure, but that's an over-generalization. Don't sell the man short. He's one of the best orchestrators in the business. He orchestrated ROBOTS (don't tell me that's simple), SPIDERMAN I and II, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, VAN HELSING, STAR TREK: NEMESIS, STAR TREK VI, and DANCES WITH WOLVES to name only a few with varied orchestrations. Just because he chooses to score films with music more in the DANCES WITH WOLVES domain doesn't mean his orchestrations aren't perfect. Because they are. So there.

You're fine I'm a total McKenzie fanboy, and can't take anyone saying anything about him that isn't glowingly positive. Fact is, you're write about most of the scores that he writes being fairly simply orchestrated. Now there are exceptions, mind you, but I know what you mean.

As for those awkward moments you mention, I must say I don't know what you mean. Could you provide examples? And are you familiar with any of his other scores?

Sorry, I missed this question. I tried to find examples of what I was talking about, but I'm not hearing it anymore. I think my sonic distress might have been more due to the fact that on those two scores there's an unusual amount of separation and clarity between the various orchestral sections and when you're first getting to know the score it can be rather jarring when a new section comes in because its so clear and bold compared to the more subtle recording choices that are used in the majority of modern scores. For example, "Go in Peace at 1:00 when the horns (I think) come in, I think it seemed awkward to me at first because its so sudden. But now that I'm expecting that part, it doesn't feel awkward anymore.

And yes, in addition to Last Sin Eater and El Gran Milagro I have Blizzard, Dragonheart, Saving Sarah Cain, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca and The Lost Child.

Me like as well.

See you soon!

Hello everybody!
New here although with some 25 years of soundtrack collecting on my shoulders

I will be attending the Morricone concert in Antwerp in December

Block 129
Row 34
Seats 7-8

When is the Morricone concert in Antwerp?

Just booked the tickets for me and my friend HW. You guys up for beers afterwards? :-) I had to miss in Ghent because of the flu. I have some catching up to do.

Block 115
Row 28
Seat 5 and 6

I'm sure there will be time to catch up before or after the concert, we'll figure something out

Ow, a pity you had to cancel the whole thing! How did that suddenly happen. :/

I'm in block 117. I'm sure we'll meet somewhere before!

We do not have a lot of active members there. So we were thinking of promoting it locally. And we do not have much time for that. My trip plan was all around the Pacific Gathering, so now I can use the financial aspects of this trip for other Festivals. Gatherings and Meetings somewhere in the world.

For Anwerp some us will stay there in a hotel. So we can meet before and maybe after the concert.




Yes there are already other SST related trip plans, no worry.

Morricone lost his balance during a concert in Florence this night. An hour ago he was discussing with his doctors if he could continue. But it appears he's fine again. What a man!

Not sure if I should be worried.