Artist In Retrospect: Ennio Morricone

Sooner or later in life you might find yourself lucky enough to be caught up in a cinematic moment crystallized by the enchanting music of Ennio Morricone.  The French poet and novelist Victor Hugo probably said it best "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent".  Above are but three pieces in the extensive  repertoire of works by Ennio Morricone that demonstrate just that.  Even when film was silent music was there to fill in the gaps of feeling to make up for the actors voice–the missing link of his expression. Even after those voices of expression were brought to life on screen music became doubly important as it is music that expresses for the audience while moving them through the peaks and valleys of emotional expression far beyond the reach of words and pictures. 

Ennio Morricone was born in Rome in 1928.  He’s worked and created works for theatre, film, television, and radio.  He’s worked on both national and international productions that have gained him both critical acclaim and industry accolades.  He’s scored over 400 films in his lifetime.  He’s worked with esteemed filmmakers such as Roman Polanski, Bernardo Bertolucci, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Oliver Stone, Giuseppe Tornatore, and Warren Beaty, just to mention a few.  His music has accompanied great films such as:  Cinema Paradiso, Malena, The Untouchables, Once Upon A Time In America, The Mission, U-Turn, A Fist Full of Dollars, and Once Upon a Time In The West; these simply scratch the surface of the contribution made by Ennio Morricone to our culture through his work in films.  In 2007 he received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “for his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the Art of Film Music”.  After which an album was released to coincide with the recognition titled "Everyone Loves Ennio Morricone"  To truly do justice to the contributions and success of this man one would have to write volumes upon volumes to satisfy the importance of his accomplishments.  I don’t have the talent or the expertise to write such volumes–but I do have the ability to recognize music that has touched my heart and those of endless others.

Ennio Morricone, in many ways, is the bridge between the rest of the world and Italy.  I’ve never been shy of my complicated relationship to and with my heritage, but, I can say whole heartedly that every time I listen to any one of these songs I’m taken to a place and time that makes me nostalgic for something not quite my own but very much a part of me.  I hope you all take the time to watch the films listed or simply listen to the songs embedded and perhaps come to a more connected understanding of the words written by Victor Hugo while you listen to the notes written by Ennio Morricone.