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When it comes to the greatest cinema scores of all time, there is one name that pops up every single time (and rightly so): that of Ennio Morricone. World-renowned for his ability to create the most vivid imagery through his music, he could evoke such intense emotions from the audience that they could feel themselves become part of the stories projected on the silver screen. His works have redefined the role of the soundtrack in modern cinema and left an indelible mark on its history, engraving themselves in the collective memory of multiple generations of film enthusiasts.
Let’s look back at some of the most iconic compositions by the great Italian composer, who passed away in 2020:
- The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (1966)
Belonging to the spaghetti Western genre, which refers to Western films of European production and of which director Sergio Leone was one of the greatest representatives, this classic boasts Morricone’s most famous work, considered a cornerstone of popular culture. The main theme, with its iconic whistle, is immediately recognisable and inextricably associated with the Western genre.
- Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Another spaghetti Western by Leone, this film is characterised by an evocative and powerful soundtrack that belongs to the Olympus of cinema. Of all the tracks, a special mention goes to 'Man with a Harmonica', which has become one of the film's most memorable leitmotifs. - Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
This is one of Morricone's most profound collaborations with director Sergio Leone, this time outside the spaghetti Western genre. This soundtrack evokes nostalgia, loss, and the American dream through pieces like the moving 'Deborah's Theme' and 'Poverty'. - The Mission (1986)
It’s safe to say that those who have watched this film can’t forget it easily. Its emotional impact is due not only to the plot, based on real events but also to the deeply poignant soundtrack that turns watching the film into a true spiritual experience. It is simply impossible not to remember 'Gabriel's Oboe', one of the most heart-wrenching pieces, admired both as a part of the score and as a piece of instrumental music in its own right. - New Cinema Paradiso (1988)
The winner of numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990, in this film the Maestro paid homage to the art of cinema with a soundtrack imbued with nostalgia. New Cinema Paradiso boasts one of Morricone's most touching compositions, notably the closing theme. We dare you to keep your cool during the final scene!
Whether Morricone’s music is already in your DNA or you’re discovering it now, now is as good a time as any to delve into his timeless scores and lose yourself in the magic of the silver screen. If you’re worried about where to find them, fear not! We’ve linked the soundtracks that have made cinema history performed by our artists below:
Ennio Morricone - Film Music (chitarra) by Nic Polimeno
Ennio Morricone - Film Music