With Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein both gone, Ennio Morricone—now in his late 70s—is the undisputed dean of today's film composers, boasting a distinctive style that embraces both spare, rhythmic scores and lushly romantic soundtracks, often employing vocalists and choruses for added effect. Morricone has been writing movie music for more than 40 years, and though most of his output has been for Italian films, he's also worked with American directors such as Brian De Palma and John Carpenter. Presenting a live recording of a celebratory 2004 concert, with the composer himself conducting the Munich Radio Orchestra and the Chorus of the Bavarian Radio, Morricone Conducts Morricone serves up a good representative sampling of his work. In addition to pieces from some lesser-known pictures, the selections include bits of his immediately recognizable contributions to Sergio Leone's “spaghetti” Westerns, some of his nostalgic Cinema Paradiso score, and segments of his work for De Palma (The Untouchables and Casualties of War), concluding with an elaborate choral movement from his exuberant soundtrack for The Mission. To be sure, Morricone isn't the most inspiring podium presence; he looks rather like a meek professor, and mostly keeps his eyes buried in the scores—but while the performances might occasionally have benefited from greater precision and energy, the musicians are clearly giving their all for the composer. Featuring elegant camerawork and excellent sound (with Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and PCM stereo options), this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Morricone Conducts Morricone
(2004) 100 min. DVD: $24.99 (booklet included). EuroArts (dist. by Naxos of America). Color cover. Volume 21, Issue 5
Morricone Conducts Morricone
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