Remembering Ennio Morricone with “The Maestro”

 

 

When thinking of the best soundtracks of all time, one must surely mention The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. And when pondering an Italian film that stole the hearts of millions around the world? Surely one must think of Cinema Paradiso. Or perhaps one of the most notable Oscar-winning musical scores in American cinema? The Hateful Eight must come to mind, a Tarantino masterpiece. All of these magnificent works of art have one thing in common; a creative thread that binds each film together. They are musically scored by The Maestro, more commonly known as Ennio Morricone.

Morricone has helped to shape the landscape of film soundtracks for more than half a century. Growing up in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, Morricone was always fascinated with musical instruments and created his first compositions at six years old. His father was a trumpet player, and would teach Morricone how to read music and eventually to play several instruments. He went on to earn a diploma from the Saint Cecilia Conservatory, studying arrangements and composition. Morricone would debut his professional career by creating jingles and themes for radio broadcasting companies. By the mid 1950s, Morricone was ghost writing for film scores under pseudonyms such as Dan Savio and Leo Nichols. 

Morricone’s first big break came in 1961 when he scored the film Il Federale. This film would allow Morricone to befriend longtime collaborators such as Luciano Salce and the great Sergio Leone, whom he attended elementary school with. Some of Morricone’s most notable work includes soundtracks for Cinema Paradiso, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, and Oscar winning Hateful Eight. As a native Italian, Ennio Morricone’s work has made an impact in Italian society that will never be forgotten. Longtime friend, collaborator, and director Giuseppe Tornatore’s Ennio: The Maestro will be screened the week of February 7th-14th in theatres across Italy ahead of its worldwide release on February 17th, honouring the life and spectacular achievements of Ennio Morricone.

Attached below is the trailer –

https://www.comingsoon.it/film/ennio/61147/video/?vid=37838

— Frank Pastula