Ennio Morricone - Film Music, Vol. 2

Film Music vol.2

I am very disappointed with the music selections and actual music itself. I have only listened to the CD a couple of times hoping my first impression was wrong. It wasn't and I will most probably give the CD to someone. January 19, 2008

Volume 2 is Easily as Essential as the First Volume in the series is.....

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 is the second volume in his film music series, and collects another batch of his seminal tracks, and carefully selects music that is not only popluar choices ("Once upon a Time in America", "Man With the Harmonica", "Fistful of Dynamite"), but also tracks, that are simply exceptional tracks and although maybe not as widely known as some of his other work, deserve inclusion ("Peur Sur la Ville", "Lontano").

Unlike Volume 1 in the "Ennio Morricone Film Music" series, the emphasis on this volume, leans more towards tightly orchestrated arrangments, 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 ominious strings are so easily identifiable, most will recongnise 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, blancing harmonies that grow ever so slightly more powerful and yet never lose sight of the air of sadness that predomiantes 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 threatrical 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 identifiy, 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 greatest strengths....beautifully composed!!, impeccably performed!!, and it's an original score that evokes emotions from the listener, and is (to put it simply) a epic musical tour de force.

If you have the utterly superb volume 1, then if you can strech to buying another album, than this truly is, more than worthy of the price of admission. It matches volume 1 in most cases, and you may find (like me), that it contains a couple of tracks on volume 2 that help it nudge ahead of volume 1. But irrespective of that...this is still an essential buy even if you don't own Volume 1, and you merely like/recognise the tracks on volume 2. It is by far, a strong enough compilation to stand on it own right, and is a highly reccommeded purchase for not only Morricone fans, but also anyone interested in buying soundtrack music, as this disk contains some of cinemas strongest musical highlights. September 14, 2005

EXPAND YOU MORRICONE HORIZONS.

When I purchased this collection, I already had a fairly extensive representation of Maestro Morricone's music. So, it was a delight to hear selections with which I was unfamiliar. Whereas the first volume in this collection is a great Morricone primer, volume 2 will help you expand your knowledge and appreciation of the breadth of Morricone's composing ability and inspiration. The "classics" are well-represented here, with 2 themes from ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA [main theme and Deborah's Theme, which respectively open and close the set], 2 themes from THE MISSION [Gabriel's Oboe, The Falls], and one from ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST [...Harmonica]. Many of the selections are among the maestro's most breathtaking and innovative, especially "A Fistful of Dynamite" [a/k/a "Duck, You Sucker"], LE MARGINAL, and BACI SUL TRAMONTO (the latter, evocative of his work from MARCO POLO TV miniseries soundtrack). Enjoy!!! April 6, 2005

An excellent compilation

Morricone certainly encompasses the whole gambit of Western music in this collection, from unabashed European decadence to the spiritually profound. His influences are readily apparent - from Bach ("Atto di Dolore" seems to call towards the sacred cantatas of yesteryear) to Bacharach ("A Fistful of Dynamite" has a definite "What the World Needs Now is Love" affect.) Likewise, his influence on today's music is as evident: "Le Marginal" sounds like an early Hans Zimmer, and electronica outfits like Air and Orbital have repeatedly cited Morricone's arrangement and melodic skills. The best tracks include the excerpts from "The Mission" and the insanely happy "My Name is Nobody". February 2, 2000

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