Malena (2000 Film) [SOUNDTRACK]

Ennio Morricone

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: February 6, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0000589U4
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,373 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It's rare when a composer forges an artistic bond with a director that encompasses several films over the years, and rarer still when a musician has that relationship with two different filmmakers. Ennio Morricone's collaboration with the late director Sergio Leone on a series of so-called spaghetti Westerns has assumed almost mythic proportions. But, beginning with Cinema Paradiso, the Roman scoring maestro has also fashioned a latter-day bond with director Giuseppe Tornatore that has produced music of a wholly different color, character, and emotional resonance. Malèna takes its place as one of their finest achievements. The composer has called the film one of his toughest assignments: music that must underscore both comedy and pathos, romance and tragedy--often in the same musical passage. The main theme here is vintage Morricone, filled with memorably melodic grace and simple dignity. The score evokes the story's setting (wartime Sicily) and its troubling meditation on the lasting effects of prejudice, sexism, and jealousy with a deceptive effortlessness that's also a Morricone trademark. Distinctly European and elegantly subtle, Malèna also marks the composer's 40th anniversary in film scoring. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, February 21, 2001

By A Customer

Walking into the theatre to see this film, I had no idea that Ennio Morricone composed the score. Once I heard the music, though, my heart sunk. I knew it was him as soon as I heard it. The "Malena" soundtrack is somewhat reminiscent of his soundtrack for Adrian Lyne's "Lolita". There were a few spots in the film where I had flashbacks of certain scenes in that film. The music is absolutely gorgeous. It is extremely emotional. The film itself changes emotion so often and the music always fits the scene. Even if you haven't seen the film, buying this soundtrack is definitely worth it. You don't necessairly need the visuals to enjoy the music (although I would reccomend the film also).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classy and Fantastic music!, February 18, 2001

By A Customer

Moody, sensual, imaginative, classy, nostalgic, and... perfect for the movie! This new Morricone score lives up to expectations and also marks one of the highest point in his fourth decade carreer. The movie is brilliant and misterious, and music follows discreetly and subtitles the plot. It is no wonder why this score has earned a nomination for this year's Academy Award: it deserves it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MARVELOUSLY MUSICALLY MAGNIFICENT MALENA!, May 31, 2005

By	VINCENT P TARSITANO (PORT ORANGE, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ennio Morricone's score to MALENA is totally original, but totally Morricone at the same time. Perhaps that's why one disgruntled reviewer felt there were too many similarities to another of his scores. My musical ear does not hear what he hears. And another reviewer sadly stated that you can sum up the Maestro's entire career in 6 albums, and proceeded to name them. Unfortunately, the 6 cds he named are all from a Morricone "later period" [roughly '86 - '98] and, thus, only cover a small fraction of his range and genius. You'd be missing that most wonderful period from '70 - '76, or thereabout, that for many of us diehards defines a big part of the Morricone mystique. [Those totally original and extremely creative and unforgettable scores for THE BURGLARS, A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE [A/K/A DUCK, YOU SUCKER], LE PROFESSIONEL, VERUSCHKA, etc., etc. Not to mention even earlier masterpieces as diverse as METTI UNA SERA A CENA, THE LADY CALIPH, AND ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.]

There simply is no greater movie score composer, and it's hard to peg just one Morricone "sound," because the Maestro's genius is just too big. Quite plainly, no one has created a body of work for movie music that is as diverse, and at the same time, so distinct and identifiable. In a nutshell, that is the genius of Morricone.

Now, for the music to MALENA. I can't imagine how it could have better captured the feel of what happened on the screen, and, at the same time, elevate the story, and become a character in itself. It's also wonderful how Morricone used a period song, written by D'Anzi & Galdieri, "Ma, l'amore no!" to accentuate the story. What a beautiful addition to the movie, what an unforgettable melody, how absolutely brilliant and evocative!! If I have a complaint, it's that the original sung version of the tune [which we hear a few times in the movie, when Malena dances with the picture of her missing-in-action husband, etc.]is not included, rather, a lovely and fully orchestral version by the Maestro is featured on the album. Also, one of my other favorite original themes is not isolated, but always combined with either an action cue or another theme. I would have liked one version of this theme by itself.

The score to MALENA, while perhaps not Morricone's VERY best, still represents the absolute best of his work. Yo Yo Ma, in fact, included the main theme in his Morricone tribute album, which has been one of the biggest "classical" cds of the year.

TOTALLY and thoroughly enjoyable, very satisfying, and highly recommended.