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.
Ennio
