What was initially planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of a film now inadvertently serves as a memorial. Within days of the passing of Ennio Morricone, La-La Land Records has reissued his score to “Two Mules for Sister Sara.”
It promises to be an especially popular release, since, while not an actual “spaghetti western,” the film shares many of the same trappings with the three Sergio Leone-directed features that made Clint Eastwood an international superstar, and Morricone’s music is very much of a piece. If you ever wondered what a romantic comedy featuring The Man With No Name would be like, this is it. The 2-CD set includes the original soundtrack album and lots of previously unreleased material, including every note of music heard in the film. This expanded release is limited to 3000 copies.
In other news, it has been announced that the city of Rome will rename the Auditorium Parco della Musica (Music Park Auditorium) in honor of the composer. On July 17, Rome’s city council voted unanimously in favor of the proposal. A selection from Morricone’s score to “Once Upon a Time in America” was performed for the occasion by members of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Orchestra of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia), conducted by the composer’s son, Andrea. The auditorium serves as home base for the group. Morricone has led the orchestra there many times.
“We want to remember a genius who gave so much to Rome and Italy, linking his name to an international symbol of culture and art,” tweeted the city’s mayor, Virginia Raggi.
The multifunctional arts complex, designed by Renzo Piano (and yes, that is his real name), was inaugurated in 2002. The auditorium’s halls are dedicated to composer Goffredo Petrassi (who was Morricone’s teacher), conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli, and to Cecilia herself, the patron saint of music.
Ennio Morricone died on July 6 at the age of 91.
Morricone celebrates his 90th birthday with the Orchestra and Chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. The music is from “The Mission.”
Andrea conducts his father’s Concerto for Orchestra:
Vintage Morricone: “Two Mules for Sister Sara”
La-La Land Records: