Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna is a 1991 Italian miniseries directed by Florestano Vancini, best described as a mosaic soap about several characters and families of high society going through dramatic events. The mixture of soap drama, conspiracy, love affairs and some humour is a testament to the indistinctive qualities of the early nineties.

Ennio Morricone wrote the original score, supplemented by the reuse of cues from titles such as Revolver, Le Professionel, Le Due Stagione Della Vita, Drammi Gotici and La Cugina.

Piazza Di Spagna is an example that shows Morrcone was not always very good at programming, hence the low-quality synths. In fact, even La Correpsondeza - his last score before he passed - was full of mediocre programming. Fortunately, the programming is counterbalanced by some of the better Morricone trademarks.

The woolly Una Antica Stampa is perhaps the worst showcase of destitute programming, as tedious synthesizers subsitute live instruments. Con Contenuta Gioia features a lovely curious woodwind, but at the same time uses a standard drum pad synth and minimal synthesized accents that define the least attractive ones from around 1991, when he wrote and recorded the music.

In cues such as the upbeat Una Cortolina, there is a recurring hideous electronic motif and glittering synthesizer effect - best presented in the score to Jona Che Visse nella Balena - counterbalanced by evocative strings and the endearing voice of Edda Del Orso. Besides several other examples of acceptable programming, the highlight is the groovy electronic beats overlaid by a quirky, disjointed and improvisational woodwind, and strings in Per Tutti disco.

The main theme, Piazza di Spagna, goes through various renditions and offers the typical pop instrumental beat, supported by lush strings and less noteworthy synthesizers; a romantic, silky and typically warm Morricone theme. I especially love the variation with both Edda del Orso, and the return of the woodwind from Per Tutti Disco. Version 3 is an engaging version for strings and solemn woodwind. As a side note, the theme is similar to the
reused La Cugina - De copalamo (Seconda Borghesia on the 1995 Point release) in the miniseries.

In other cues, it becomes evident that the string lines are the most important facet, as heard in Medio - Alta Borghesia, reminiscent of the composer'' best use of instrumental pop with great strings (Un Amico - Revolver, Chi Mai - Maddalena).

In context, regardless of the inferior soap mosaic quality, the theme for Anabella stands out. It is a first class orchestral cue for lovely optimistic romantic woodwinds, bouncy plucked strings, overlaid by a beautiful string melody. Anabella is an attractive, good spirited woman who desires to become a model and in achieving gets the help of a photographer, who becomes obsessed with her, leading to severe consequences. The theme signals her beauty, her dreams and blithe state of mind. Despite tragic events, it becomes an even more memorable musical asset as she moves up in society and is engaged to a man from a wealthy class, by which it reflects higher society and her romantic involvements. In a way, this purity and class is also evident in the classic Morricone pathos filled melancholy of the two Canto Per Il Mattino cues.

Another cue - L'utopia del ponte - uses an echoing, repetitive motif, first light at touch, then as the cue ends, imminent, carried over to different instruments. It is one of the most well known recurring motifs Morricone has used for a variety of his works presented in different disguises, but especially in more unsettling variations, with an interplay between a crashing piano, woodwinds, harpsichord and strings, it is effective in context. They underscore the multiple levels of deceit and conspiracy in between higher class families. In a specific scene, as one of these families discusses conspiracies,supported by overacting, the motif inadvertently fuels a sense of satire.




Tracklist
1. Piazza Di Spagna (02:53)
2. A Lorelle - Annabella (02:58)
3. Con Contenuta Gioia (04:03)
4. In Una Antica stampa (04:00)
5. Canto Per Il Mattino (04:17)
6. Seconda Borghesia (03:22)
7. Un Doppio Ritornello (02:19)
8. Piazza Di Spagna (01:54)
9. L'utopia Del Ponte (03:15)
10. Una Cartolina (03:26)
11. Armida E Ginevra (04:07)
12. Medio - Alta Borghesia (03:08)
13. Per Tutti (04:32)
14. Piazza Di Spagna (03:41)
15. Canto Per Il Mattino (04:15)
16. Con Contenuta Gioia (04:01)

Total duration: 56:11


(12-03-2025)