We all know that on June 5 Il Volo will make a tribute event in memory of the great composer Ennio Morricone, who died in July 2020 at the age of 91.
But are we sure we know who Ennio Morricone was and what were his compositions?
Surely Morricone’s fame is due to his compositions for filmography, which includes more than 70 award-winning films.
We recall only some of these films, which have music that certainly remained in our memory:
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY, of which I propose this beautiful video recorded in Venice in 2007 with an orchestra directed by Ennio Morricone himself.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, very beautiful and poignant.
Theme that we heard sung in Sanremo with so much sweetness and emotion by Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca: YOUR LOVE ❤
THE UNTOUCHABLES
THE EXORCIST
ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA
Naturally you will have recognized the sweet E PIÙ TI PENSO, and so let’s listen to a small piece performed by very young Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio directed by Maestro Morricone.
How sweet they are and what a skill.❤
MISSION TO MARS
MISSION of which we listen to the beautiful “Gabriel’s Oboe” which Gianluca likes so much and which I hope will include in the program of the event.
SACCO & VANZETTI including the theme “Here’s to You” sung by the good Joan Baez, and which I now propose to you in a choral performance directed by Morricone.
CINEMA PARADISO
THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS
THE HATEFUL EIGHT…….and many others.
Ennio Morricone was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 2016 Morricone had sold more than 70 million records worldwide.
His successes include three Grammy Awards, three Golden Globes, six BAFTAs, ten David di Donatello, eleven Nastro d’Argento, two European Film Awards, the Golden Lion Honorary Award and the Polar Music Prize in 2010.
Much of his success is due to the columns of western films, in particular the films of Sergio Leone (Italian director and his schoolmate), several of these films are played by Clint Eastwood, who will remain a good friend of Morricone and who in 2007 will deliver to him the Academy Honorary Award.
How much emotion in Morricone who speaks slowly so as not to allow the tears to fall, I admit that I was moved by watching this video.
Surely you have recognized on the balcony of the theater, Quincy Jones, his good friend, and next to him, Maria, Morricone’s beloved wife, to which he dedicates the award.
But Morricone is not only film music, it also has a “minor” production – but “minor” only for the role that the “small” and “light” songs have always played in relation to other music, the “heavy” ones. “ it’s big”. Ennio Morricone began working at the end of the fifties as an arranger, and put his signature on many juke-box songs conquering new audiences of young people.
Among these we certainly remember IL MONDO, which we are used to hearing from the beautiful voice of IL VOLO that I propose live in a video of LA SHOWCASE, but how small they were. 😘
The composer’s genius is found in the use of various orchestral instruments, considered “unusual” such as the oboe, to which Morricone gives a lot of importance. He also used the most unusual instruments: the harmonica, the whistles, the snap of the whips, the trumpet, the screams, just to name a few. In addition, in the 40s he will also be a good jazz trumpeter, in short, an all-round artist.
Morricone also wrote many sacred music and many classical music and also an opera and a mass, in short, a multifaceted artist.
In 2016, he received his only competitive Academy Award for the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight and will once again dedicate the award to his wife Maria.
The power of Morricone’s music is that it does not stop at the barriers imposed by the various musical styles.
His music “Ecstasy of Gold”, was used by the heavy metal band Metallica at the opening of their concerts.
In the television series The Sopranos, they played “Man with the Harmonica” taken from ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, and which in the following video I propose played by the rock band MUSE.
Even the cartoon, The Simpsons, paid homage to Morricone using the music of the Cinema Paradiso theme.
Dolce & Gabbana, like many others, used Morricone’s music for their commercials.
In 1977 Morricone composed the official theme for the 1978 Fifa World Cup, which was held in Argentina. 🇦🇷
But who was Ennio Morricone in private life?
A very humble and simple man, very respectful of the rules and schedules, in an almost military way.
Used to getting the most out of himself.
One great love, his wife Maria.
“A moment of distraction, and she had an accident while driving her father’s car. They put the cast on her from the neck to the waist, as was done then. She was in great pain. I stayed close to her. And so, day by day, drop by drop, I made her fall in love.”
Ennio and Maria got married and had 4 children: Marco and Andrea, who followed in the footsteps of their father, Alessandra, and finally Giovanni, screenwriter and director. I also believe that the eldest girl in the photo below is not their daughter.
At his side for over 60 years, his beloved wife Maria accompanied him in all his goals and in his dark periods, advising and supporting him in his artistic production by actively participating, like any self-respecting soulmate.
“While I was composing she was sacrificing herself for our children. For fifty years we saw little: either I was with the orchestra or I was closed in my studio composing.”
And this great love of his, he will remember until the end.
Upon his death, Ennio Morricone left a posthumous letter, of which I translate the content:
ENNIO MORRICONE is dead.
This is how I announce it to all the friends who have always been close to me and also to those who are a little distant, whom I greet with great affection. Impossible to name them all.
But a particular memory is for Peppuccio and Roberta, fraternal friends very present in these last years of our life.
There is only one reason that drives me to greet everyone like this and to have a private funeral: I do not want to disturb.
I greet with great affection Ines, Laura, Sara, Enzo and Norbert, for sharing most of my life with me and my family.
I want to remember with love my sisters Adriana, Maria, Franca and their loved ones and let them know how much I loved them.
A full, intense and profound greeting to my children Marco, Alessandra, Andrea, Giovanni, my daughter-in-law Monica, and to my grandchildren Francesca, Valentina, Francesco and Luca. I hope they understand how much I loved them.
Lastly Maria (but not last). To her I renew the extraordinary love that has kept us together and that I am sorry to abandon. To you the most painful farewell. ❤
His son Andrea, will direct Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca in the concert-tribute in Rome, on June 5th, the date should be certain, however nothing is yet known about the participation of the people, but if he is admitted, I will do everything to be present and keep you updated.
In any case, it has already been said that Italian and American televisions will be present at the event, so everything will be well recorded and proposed.
And now let’s enjoy this magnificent performance of E PIÙ TI PENSO, from the voices of Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio .❤
Now we know Ennio Morricone a little better – composer and man, a truly exceptional artist. So we understand well why Il Volo wants to try their hands at this great tribute, to pay homage to a composer of unforgettable music that creates emotions and makes the heart vibrate.
Surely Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, with their splendid voices will be able to make the most of Morricone’s music and songs.
There will be guests with whom to make duets and a large orchestra and choir, and what about the magnificent Piazza San Pietro that will be the background?
It will be magnificent, unforgettable and we will all be witnesses of this event.
Time goes by and our guys are getting ready for the best, I can’t wait !!
Daniela
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Daniela, Thank you for this absolutely wonderful article! I know who Morricone is yet, I have found out more about him because of your beautiful article. And, I anxiously await the grand concert on June 5th. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful music with us! As always you fill in all the missing pieces!
Thanks for the nice compliments Susan, what can I say, I too can’t wait to see the tribute in June!
Thank you so much Daniela for bringing to us the life and times and music of Ennio Morricone. Who better than Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca to bring his music to us in June. Nobody can match their talent and beautiful voices that have so much strength and compassion and will make the concert truly memorable. Like you Daniela I cannot wait to see and hear them once again they bring so much joy to us all. Take care Guys and stay well.
Marion, I think there will be many events dedicated to Morricone but I think that what our boys are preparing will be a tribute made with the heart and not just with skill.
Daniela, this is a wonderfully written article of Morriconi’s life. Grazie mille. I have heard all of this music over many years without knowing anything about the man. You brought him to life for us. I applaud our boys for bringing his music to us as only they can. I cannot wait for the cd!
Thank you very much RoseMarie, I wanted you to know well who Morricone was and I must say that I too discovered things I did not know. His skill is infinite, we have lost a great composer and I think our boys will be able to pay homage to him in a very worthy way.
Daniela, thank you so much for all the information and links to music. I know the “boys” will do an excellent job. They are so talented, and I am always amazed at the range of their music. They can sing anything, including the dictionary, and make it beautiful and well loved. I, too, look forward to an upcoming CD, maybe a DVD of the concert some day, and of course, the concert itself. Much love to all of you who direct, follow, take care of, and stay with these wonderful young men. “Love” also means prayers — every day.
Karen, don’t worry, Il Volo has already said more than once that the CD will be there, it is not yet known if it will be released before or after the event or before the end of the year, but it will be there.
Sem pre, Grazie Milione, Daniela. Your story and IL VOLO add to Ennio Morricone’s glory…seems like IL VOLO singers were born to honor Morricone’s musical repertoire. Need to place advance orders for the CD! Exciting June 5th!
It will certainly be a unique emotion, I hope that people can watch it too, fingers crossed.
Daniela you have provided a fantastic “taste test” of what is to come. The anticipation and excitement is too much. This post is a concert all it’s own! The back story of this accomplished man together with our IL Volo promises to be phenomenal. They will be just as great even if it turns out there is no live audience, but if there is, they will be in for an incredible musical treat. Hope and pray there will be a CD forth coming. So much talent and accomplishment in one package. I’m glad Piero modified his hair style.
Yes Mark, Morricone is a winning card, his music is made for wonderful voices and the maturity of our boys is certainly within this range.
The CD is certain, and I think it will be a beautiful work.
There is really a lot of expectation.
Merci Daniela pour tous ces articles qui sont toujours si complets et ca nous a fait découvrir encore plus de choses sur Ennio Morricone ! Ce concert va etre grandiose et il me tarde de pouvoir acheter le cd J’espere que le concert sera diffusé sur la RAI ,merci encore !
Merci Paule pour les compliments.
Rai 1 enregistrera le concert hommage, il y aura sûrement aussi un DVD.
I am determined to watch as many films with the music of Ennio Morricone as I can find. I have seen The Mission, Once Upon A Time in the West, Malena, Cinema Paradiso, Baaria, The Clint Eastwood trilogy, Inglorious Bastards. His music goes to my soul every time I hear his music just like the music of Il Volo.
Wow Linda, you’ve seen quite a few films that have been accompanied by Morricone’s beautiful music, but I want to tell you that there are so many “minor filmography” films that have Morricone’s music, I myself can’t believe how he could create so much. .
Daniela and Pat thank you for this great post. I think I have been hearing his music off and on for years and did not know who the composer was. This was such a great read and getting to know more about Mr. Morricone and his music before the June concert. All the videos that you added to this post made the post all the more interesting. His music is so beautiful, memorable and romantic. This is the perfect style of music for Il Volo, and I am so happy that American TV will be broadcasting this June concert. Grazie
You’re welcome, Janet. Like you, I had heard his music but never know he was the composer. I was truly touched by this story of a humble man!
Janet, beautiful music, immediately reaches our hearing and also our heart and we hardly forget it, just a few notes are enough to remember a good movie, a good moment, but we often don’t remember who is the author of all this. Morricone wrote a lot of these beautiful music, music to dream.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful article. This beautiful music gave me goosebumps and even tears at times. I think this is some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. Now, with our gorgeous angels singing on June 5th, we are all in for an incredible experience. Their beautiful voices will do Mr. Morricone’s incredible music justice. I hope there will be a CD available in the future. I love beautiful music and this is best by far. Again I thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️
You’re absolutely right, Barbara, this music gives you goosebumps and sometimes even makes you cry.
It will be a beautiful tribute and the CD will certainly be there too.
Thank you for your compliments.
Thank you Daniela, for all you do to keep us informed and knowledgeable in the IlVolonworld❣️
Thanks to you Peggy, I had inadvertently deleted this entire article before sending it to Pat for publication. I had to do it all again, but the sweet comments from all of you repay me for the effort of having done it again.
Thank you so much for the informative article. I will have to go back and play them all. A few months ago I was watching the movie The Thing, with Kurt Russell and was surprised to see Mr Morricone’s name in the credits. The movies he scored were definitely diverse!
Absolutely yes, Laura, as I also wrote, Morricone’s greatness was not to set limits on style or gender.
He has set to music very famous light songs here in Italy, but that I never thought they had his signature, like “Abbronzatissima” “Sapore di sale” “Se telefonando”.
If you’ve seen the film Kill Bill vol. 2, it’s his music, when she comes out of the grave.
Wow Daniela and Pat another blockbuster piece for us Il Volovers to enjoy. Thank you. There was so much to this man and his artistic life. I thought of Ignazio at his young age (26) writing the music for an Italian TV show. I am sure he is just beginning. It will be interesting to see if in the future he starts writing for Il Volo. These 3 artists are contributing their art to the world. I so appreciate that Il Volo is so young and can travel to spread the Bel Canto to the world. I actually listen to them every day. The melodies and languages are so melodic and uplifting.
You’re most welcome, Kay!
Kay, there was so much to say on this subject and some things I just touched upon. Morricone’s production is truly immense, I don’t know with what criterion the boys made the choice, but they will surely have chosen well!
Daniela, thank you so much for this informative and interesting article. I knew nothing about Mr. Morricone even though I have heard his music. He was extremely talented yet seemed to be a humble man just like the boys. I’m sure he would be very proud that they are doing the tribute. No one could do it better. Thank you for all the videos. I can’t wait for the concert and am so glad that we will be able to see it in the USA. It will be a night to remember!
Cathy, Ennio Morricone was indeed a very humble person. I remember that on TV, a woman said that she had gone to see an outdoor concert performed by Morricone, she had also been able to attend the afternoon rehearsals, staying in the back seats. At the end of the rehearsals, all the people of the orchestra left, he went down from the stage and sat in part with a mature woman sitting in the front seats, his wife Maria. She took two sandwiches from her bag, and next to each other, sitting and alone, they ate their sandwich. Remarkable, isn’t it?
Such a sweet story. It`s no wonder he could write such beautiful music. What a thoughtful and loving man. It`s little thing like this that made him truly special. Thank you Daniela for sharing this. It made me smile.
Daniela, I really appreciate the time, focus and detail
you devoted to this article. This tribute to the Maestro
will surely lift everyone’s spirits. I have always felt that
the soundtrack assists the director’s setting of
story’s mood, After this challenging year,
the emotion and artistry will meet on June the 5th.
Kudos, Martha
Martha, we all have low morale, and this event could really be the start to react and it certainly would be a great way to have confidence again in the near future.
Thank you Daniela! This is an excellent piece, WOW!! Not only did you honor Ennio Morricone while making some of his most important work clearer to us, you make me even more excited to hear what the Il Volo team comes up with for the concert and CD. You are amazing and I thank you!!
Karen, you paid me a big compliment by telling me that I honored Ennio Morricone, thank you.
I too am very curious to see what Il Volo has come up with for this tribute.
Oh Daniela, all I can say is Spettacolare! You have once again out done yourself! Bravaaaa! …and I can only hope, it will be possible, to be there with you on June 5th to immensely enjoy this together! Grazie mille amica mia! 🤗😘
Thanks Debora, I really like “spectacular”, won’t you have exaggerated a little??? 🙂
It would be great if people were admitted on June 5th, I’m sure we would meet !!
Thank you Pat and Daniela for giving us so much information about Mr. Morricone and the wonderful videos with his beautiful music. And the concert in Venice was such a spectacular venue! It’s lovely to hear about this dedicated, successful yet humble man, and his extraordinary love for his wife Maria and his family.
How nice also to again see this great video of the very young Il Volo. I find it amazing how calm and confident they were in such a setting. Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca were and are exceptional in so many ways! We certainly have something to look forward to on June 5th.
Margaret, Venice warmly welcomed and provided an excellent backdrop for a truly spectacular concert and I hope this will be repeated in Rome in June, the prospects are all there.
Morricone’s love for his Maria is something that deeply touches my heart.
You’re welcome, Margaret! I also learned a lot about Ennio Morricone!
This was an excellent tutorial on Maestro Morricone, Daniela–thanks so much! And the videos made it especially enlightening. I loved the way the huge crowd of Hollywood stars gave his emotional speech so much attention and appreciation, even though he was speaking in Italian.
Yes Judi, there was really a lot of emotion and a lot of respect, I too loved this participation
I do not know how the boys got through that Sanremo performance. Anytime I hear that music I picture them in my mind, especially Ignazio and his father Vito. It is as if Sr. Morricone wrote that piece for them, for that moment in time.
I agree RoseMarie, the music and lyrics of that song couldn’t have been more suitable at the time.
It was very touching.
Thank you Daniela for giving us this very detailed article which emphasize to me the reason why, in their first DVD called ‘Il Volo takes flight’, Ignazio introduced the song ‘E PIU TI PENSO’ saying “We would like to honor one of our greatest Ithala composers of music for cinema with a medley of song by the great Ennio Morricone” At that time I had no idea who Mr Morricone was, yet even then our guys were making all of us aware of this great composer!!!! Our guys are just awesome!!!
Again many thanks to you and Pat for what you do for us.
Ineke, our guys have always known, speaking of Morricone, the greatness of the composer, we listeners are more committed to listening and we pay little attention to the author of all this. This is why I wanted it to be clear why our Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca have so much respect for this great composer.
It is my pleasure, Ineke!
My dear Daniela
I think this is your best article so far. It must have taken you a long time to put this together for us, and then to hear that you had to do it twice! We appreciate you more than you could ever know.
Out of all these songs Morricone wrote my favorite is “Your Love”. I also can’t wait for the CD.
Hugs
Yes Jill, I did it twice, but I wanted too much to introduce you to this good composer.
Thanks for the compliments, yes Your Love is really special.
Thank you so much Daniela for this great article. Thank you for all the work you have done, for all the searching and the translation.
Thanks to you who have read and commented. When you work, it is gratifying to know that what you have done and maybe “redone” …. liked it !!
Liebe Daniela! Jetzt weiß ich endlich wer hinter all diesen prägnanten Musikstücken steckt. Nein, alle kenne ich bei weitem nicht, aber es scheint Mr. Morricone’s Stücke waren alle so besonders, das man sie nicht vergessen kann oder will. Was für ein Talent und welcher Verzicht für die Familie, die ihren Vater, den Ehemann, bestimmt sehr selten bei sich hatte. Großen Respekt auch an seine Frau Maria, dessen Liebe und Unterstützung er zu schätzen wusste. Eine bewundernswerte Familie und ein Meister der Musik Kunst, Bravo! Ich wundere mich nur, das er nur 1 einzigen Oscar bekam… meiner Meinung nach hätte er viel mehr Auszeichnungen verdient!
Danke, Daniela, das du uns immer auf dem Laufenden hältst, was auch immer diesen wunderbaren 3 Brüder im Geiste geschieht. Ich hoffe so sehr, das dieser Wahnsinn bald vorüber ist und es wieder möglich sein wird, die Jungs auf ihren Konzerten anzufeuern und vor allem einfach ‘Live’ zu genießen.
Bleibt alle gesund, es grüßt euch alle aus dem wunderschönen Bayern
Astrid
Liebe Astrid, ich benutze den Übersetzer und hoffe, dass er gut übersetzt, was ich schreiben möchte.
Es ist wahr, Morricone war ein großartiger Komponist, er hätte sicherlich mindestens einen weiteren Oscar verdient. Eigentlich war er sehr enttäuscht, weil er die Nominierung bei MISSION bekam, aber er bekam nicht den Oscar. Seine Musik ist sehr schön und bekannt und Il Volo wird Morricone eine ehrenvolle Hommage zollen, da bin ich mir sicher. Vielen Dank für die Komplimente und wir hoffen sehr, dass diese Pandemie bald endet.
Oh, Daniela, your post is a masterpiece. You give us an in-depth study of Ennio Morricone. I didn’t know the name before.
But when I watched/listened to the videos, the music – I recognize a number of them! He’s huge. You prep us for the June 5 concert. Previously I just knew it was a tribute-concert to someone I didn’t know. Now I realize, of course I know his music!
I am filled with awe with the greatness of this man, and touched by his humility. As seen in his letter, that he did not wish to disturb. I tip my hat off and bow to someone so fully given to his craft. Just like our boys are.
I am filled with gratitude for this well-written, in-depth post.
Grazie, Daniela. And Grazie, Pat, for putting it together so wonderfully! 🙏❤️
Cynthia, I’m so happy to have helped you understand that some of the music you know comes from Morricone. Now you know the composer and the man better and I think you liked them both.
I just tried to make you understand, what, and for whom, Il Volo is preparing this tribute.
You’re welcome, Cynthia. I love doing it!
Pat gives life to Daniela’s words. Thank you Pat.
You are welcome, Rose Marie!
Thank you for introducing me to this amazing composer. I can’t wait to hear our guys sing all this beautiful music. Thank you so much you two for this wonderful article and all your hard work putting it together
You are welcome, Bev. It’s my pleasure!
It was a pleasure to help you better understand who Ennio Morricone really is and, from your nice comments ….. “mission accomplished”.
Thank you all.