ENNIO MORRICONE (1928 - 2020)

Hi Elin! Welcome to the forum.

I'm the resident Ennio-nut. I don't think I'm going to the concert, but who knows, plans might change. I hope and expect you and the other maintitlers will have a great experience.

Morricone nearly always performs "On Earth as it is in Heaven" from "The mission", often as the grand finale, or as an encore. Sometimes he plays a suite from the score, but that means he often incorporates some dissonance as well. This gorgeous suite is a real goodie though, with "Gabriel's oboe", "The falls" and "Earth as it is in Heaven".

If you're lucky you'll get a suite from "The legend of 1900". He doesn't perform it often, but it's just such a treat to hear live.

The very obscure, but super romantic and extraordinary "Addio monti" from "I promessi di sposi" sometimes appears in concerts as well.

He often plays "Come Maddalena", which is one of my alltime favourite Morricone themes, but it doesn't always work so well live.

The main theme from "The sicilian clan" is often played. Like "Come maddalena" it doesn't always work live, and is best enjoyed on album.

The fan favourite "The ecstasy of gold" is almost always included. Usually the soprano Susanna Rigacci performs it, and she always does an amazing job. The main theme from "The good, the bad and the ugly" is sometimes played as well.

Susanna Rigacci usually performs the gorgeous main theme from "Giu' la testa" as well.

The wonderful pop main theme from "Metti, una sera a cena" is often played. I think it can appear a bit cheesy when you first hear it, especially live, but if you familiarize yourself well with it, you're bound to fall in love with it.

Sometimes he performs something from "Il deserto di tartari", but he almost never performs my favourite theme from it, performed here on piano. Instead he tends to focus on the dissonance from the score, which is a big shame in my opinion.

Often "Abolicao" from "Queimada" appears as well. Personally I don't care much about it, but some do, and Morricone must certainly be proud of it, since he incorporates it in so many concerts.

He usually does a suite with his thriller action scores, nearly always incorporating the dark and comedic main theme from "Investigation of a citizen above suspicion". It's a very famous theme, though it's an acquired taste. Coupled with this he often plays the main themes from "The battle of Algiers" and "The working class goes to heaven". Not easy on the ears, but they are ok, once you become familiar with them.

I think this about sums it up. He usually incorporates some surprises here and there, so there will no doubt be some pieces I haven't covered. Have fun familiarizing yourself with these themes.

Peter

Wow,

Thank you for that list (and the youtube-links which make it extra easy for me).
Angels seem to exist and be fans of Ennio

I've got my homework right now (as I only know about half of what you guys have written down here, I need to familiarize me with the other half).

I promise to report back with my opinion about them to keep the conversation going...

Elin

Casualties of War is an excellent score ( and yeah, I even love the moody stuff ), in fact you've helped me decide my Sunday NP.

Awww, thanks. I love to help other morriconians on their paths of discovery.



I'm so jealous, that you're about to discover all these goodies. You're in for some great treats. You'll probably not enjoy the thriller/action suite so much, but all the others on my list have good stuff to offer.



Looking forward to it. I always find opinions and first impressions, about these pieces that I know so well, very interesting.

Peter

Yes, indeed. It's not my video (didn't have a camera) but I was there

Looks like a great concert.

I think you're lucky that so much of it has been recorded. Must be fun to see again.

I'd love to see footage from the concert I attended in London three years ago. I can only find a 7 second clip of it though.

Peter

Uploaded part 5 too, with music from "Hundra" and "Red Sonja".

Peter

I don't think this release has anything to do with Zatsepin's score, it's all Ennio. Appearently it contains 13 extra minutes of Morricone's score, the old release had 41 minutes, this one 54.

It's a wonderful Morricone score, so extra material is certainly very welcome. To anyone not familiar with the greatness of this music, listen here.

Peter

Indeed, keky, the old release doesn't really have more to offer than one theme. The theme is very catchy, cute, fun and very patriotic (italian style). Listen here for a full version. I will be happy to send you the mp3 if you like it.

The album also has a silly march (originally composed for "Der richter und sein henker"), which is an acquired taste, and the rest of the album is unlistenable dissonance.

The new release has 4 new tracks, but judging from the titles at least 3 of the tracks are variations of the main theme.

So not a score I recommend. I only recommend the theme, so finding it on a compilation, or by other means is my suggestion, instead of wasting money on the album.

Peter

FOR GAWDS SAKE MAKE IT ALL STOOOOOPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!

For some reason I always thought that this was a giallo score with harsh music and never bothered to get it.

I'll check the samples when I get home. Is there much variety to warrant a 68 min release?



Man, the releases keep coming at you faster than you can handle.

I'd say it's the exact opposite of one of his giallo scores. His giallos usually have a single highly melodic, immediately catchy theme, with the rest consisting of almost unlistenable dissonance. "White dog" however, doesn't have any themes that immediately grabs you, but it's melodic thoughout, and is practically free of dissonance. Instead it uses a few slow and simple themes to create a dense and dark atmosphere. It's all very hypnotic and minimalistic, and I'm not sure what other Morricone scores to compare it to, because it's rather unique. Hmm, perhaps "Wolf" has a somewhat similar feel to it.

Due to the absence of immediately catchy themes, it's the kind of score that might not sound so interesting on first listen, but it grows on you over time.




This is the kind of score that you can play forever without tiring of it, and where variety isn't that essential. When you pop it into the CD player it doesn't matter whether you start from track 1, or from a random track, as it all flows nicely together creating that wonderful athmosphere.

That said, having listened to the sound samples, the new additions do sound rather interesting. Track 28 seems to be an unfortunate addition though, as it has a completely different atmosphere than the rest.

Peter

Good money say James buy!

I do plan on getting it. I don't like buying just one CD though (because of the high postage cost - especially at SAE, which apart from that is my retailer-of-choice) so will hold on for something else to buy it with. Thought it may have been last night's Intrada releases, but wasn't particularly interested in them.

I know what you mean! If money had have been a bit more free-flowing I might have picked up the Baxter title.

I think I'll pass on the Morricone title also: prioritisation is the name of the game at the moment. And if there's going to be more Jerry Goldsmith titles being released this year (as well as titles such as Independence Day) that's where funds are going to be targeted. (As well as the more little-known, digital only titles.)