Customer Reviews

Ennio Morricone: 1966-1987 (2CD Set)

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4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Arguably one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Film composer of the 20th Century. Not only has he scored some of the most influential and instantly recognisable pieces of film music during his roughly 50 years of composing atmospheric film scores. Whether he's providing the spooky dramatics for a spaghetti Western" or constructing the ingenious use of classical arrangements of brooding cinematic pieces, he has (in most cases) consistently delivered contemporary music that has provided the atmospheric foil for the picture in question. And with a collection of musical influences that were as far ranging as: classical, jazz, pop, rock, electronic, avant-garde, and Italian music, he is able to deliver a variety of film scores that are as diverse as they are beautifully composed.

This 2 disk compilation, that manages to compile both his 'Film music' albums in one tidy package, is a collection of some of the seminal, gritty, theatrical, and dramatic film music, that would go on to define his career, via reflective orchestration and memorable motifs, ingenious use of diverse arrangements and instrumentation.

Disc 1

This disk kicks of brilliantly, with the magnificently brooding "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" opening the disk. what follows is a truly sublime collection of music that is in parts truly beautiful and utterly atmospheric, so tracks such as "Once Upon A Time In The West", benefit from the haunting melodies and stirring volins, that are possibly more in tone with orchestrated music than contemporary music. Or the quiet piano introspection and melancholic arrangements that make up "Moscow Farewell", are simply deserving of being placed amongst the finest soundtrack compositions ever. "Dedicace", contains some of the most litting melodies in recent memory, impossibly sad and affecting, it is a haunting bittersweet composition that is both organic & reflective, over which the volins provide the musical backdrop. And that's without the mention of "For Love One Can Die", the autumnal orchestrated track, that pulls from Italian sweeping gangster original film scores, and makes a hushed and dissonant recording, that feels like a sublime throwback to the mafia-related shenanigans of 60's chicago via the use of restrained piano, that really is quite lovely and adds substantial weight to the composition.

Disc 2:

Unlike the first disk, the emphasis on this disk, leans more towards tightly orchestrated arrangements, and so there are a series of extremely impressive instrumental scores, that are heavily steeping in orchestral compositions and arrangements. And are more epic in structure and delivery. Which make for some highly memorable moments thoroughout this disc.

If there could be a piece of work that would largely be associated with Morricone's work, than "Once Upon A Time In America", would surely be amongst the top three choices. The piercing flute and ominous strings are so easily identifiable, most will recognise this track within the few 10 seconds of it playing. "Estate 1943" opens with the funeral paced trumpets and is a very slight sounding track, balancing harmonies that grow ever so slightly more powerful and yet never lose sight of the air of sadness that predominates throughout strangely moving track. "The man with the Harmonica" is possibly the most instantly recognisable intergration of a harmonica-led music track ever....gleefully dramatic, with electric guitar slicing through the harmonica sections with a theatrical abandon, before lush and orchestrated string sections take over. It's utterly awesome, and arguably one of Morricones finest works. "A Fistful of Dynamite" is another of Morricone's works that most listeners will instantly identify, and the taut volins and accompanying strings immediately open the track, before the haunting vocal almost operatic melody drifts into view. This track (for me) summaries a great deal of Morricone's strengths....beautifully composed, impeccably performed, and it an original score that evokes emotions from the listener, and is (to put it simply) a epic musical tour de force.

If you have yet to buy a Morricone compilation, then I would have to say that short of buying an expensive boxset, I'd probably consider this to be one of the definitive purchases you can make in terms of buying an overall summary of his work, without having to buy individual albums. It compiles both highly acclaimed 'Film Music' compilations into the one package, and it's an undeniably comprehensive package, that is obviously a labour of love for the compilers. You might think, that if you just have a passing interest in Morricone's music, that this compilation, will probably contain a bit too much material for the casual listener??? You'd be wrong, because what will happen, is that (Like me), you'll become strangely absorbed by it, and then thank yourself, that you threw down the extra dollars and bought this version, rather than just buying a single disk version, and having to go out, (after you've become hooked), and purchase the second volume (which works out more expensive). If you can afford the extra expensive of buying this superlative version (curiously only available on import), please, please, please seriously consider this purchase, as this is easily the best non-boxset summary of one of film musics greatest composers. Utterly essential!!!

The disc has too broad a range to appeal to everyone, but you can select many good titles out of the mix. I ripped a dozen titles and burned my own CD of them. I play it over and over and thoroughly enjoy it. It is some of the sweetest and most profound music I have experienced. Fantastic late night listening. Very inspiring and uplifting.

Very fine sampling of Morricone's work. Would have appreciated a little more from "Once Upon a Time in America" which I consider his best work. A very good value if you're a fan.

Morricone's music is intelligent, appropriate to the themes and unforgettable. We play it over and over and never get tired of it.

I purchased this item through a third party on Amazon. It is original Ennio Morricone versus an imitation. I paid $10 total including shipping. This is good quality film music that has a complexity that leaves my reeling.

I had heard about 6 songs that this artistic had done which were very nice, so I thot this 2 cd would be 'as good' as those songs I had previously heard.

I can not tell you how irritating, IRRITATING.......this cd was. The most bizare sounds, not pleasant to the hearing ear at all. I almost threw it out!....and may yet because it was not what I would call 'easy listening'.........irritating is all that comes to mind. So if any one wants it.......its yours!