This is a DualDisc, which contains a CD on one side of the disc and a DVD on the other. Listening to the music of Ennio Morricone is a joy for any music lover. Listening to his music as played by Yo-Yo Ma borders on the sublime. Morricone is an iconic film composer, a master melodist whose unique scores are characterized by his bold use of unusual musical techniques, sounds, and textures. The term "spaghetti western" would have less significance without his distinctive contributions. Yo-Yo Ma is a musician in a class by himself. He's an extraordinarily gifted cellist of enormous intellect and a fearless explorer of a broad musical landscape, who seems determined to prove that hardly any genre exists within which he can't excel. It's evident from the very first notes of YO-YO MA PLAYS ENNIO MORRICONE that this was a labor of love for both artists. Ma is at his most expressive as he wraps his luminous tone around some of the most beautiful cinematic themes imaginable, including "Gabriel's Oboe" and "The Falls" from THE MISSION, as well as "Nostalgia" and "Looking For You" from CINEMA PARADISO. Morricone's marvelous arrangements, particularly the suites dedicated to some of the great directors he's worked with, provide a perfect vehicle for the star soloist while retaining the music's original character and flavor. Ma's muscular account of "Ecstasy of Gold" from Sergio Leone's epic THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY is notable among the album's many highlights.
Credits
1. The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century
Written: 1986 Country: Italy
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 3 min 11 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone.
2. Mission: The Falls
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century
Written: 1986 Country: Italy
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 2 min 27 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone.
3. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century Form / Genre: Suite
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 13 min 41 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone. This suite is based on the following film scores: 'THE LEGEND OF 1900,' 'CINEMA PARADISO,' 'MALENA,' 'A PURE FORMALITY.'
4. Sergio Leone Suite
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century Form / Genre: Suite
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 14 min 52 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone. This suite is based on the film scores 'ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA' and 'THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.'
5. Brian de Palma Suite
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century Form / Genre: Suite
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 6 min 14 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone. This suite is based on the film scores 'CASUALTIES OF WAR' and 'THE UNTOUCHABLES.'
6. Moses and Marco Polo Suite
Composer: Ennio Morricone Period: 20th Century Form / Genre: Suite
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 8 min 2 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone. This suite is based on the film scores 'MOSES' and 'MARCO POLO.'
7. Lady Caliph: Dinner
Composer: Ennio Morricone Form / Genre: Film Score
Written: by 1970 Country: Italy
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 3 min 51 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone.
8. Lady Caliph: Nocturne
Composer: Ennio Morricone Form / Genre: Nocturne / Film Score
Written: by 1970 Country: Italy
Recorded: 06/2003 Length - 2 min 33 sec Studio / Live: Studio Venue: Forum Music Village Studios, Rome, Italy
Conductor - Ensemble: Morricone, Ennio - Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra
Performers: Butta, Gilda - Piano ; Ma, Yo-Yo - Cello
Composer: Ennio Morricone.
CD Audio Side:
Yo-Yo Mo's colaborattion with the acclaimed Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, featuring original cello and orchestra arrangements by Morricone of his most popular themes from such films as The Mission, Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon a Time in America, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Untouchables and many more.
DVD Side:
* Entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo
* 11-minute behind-the-scenes video of the making of the album
* Four short films (8 minutes) by USC film students, inspired by and featuring tracks from the album
* Discography |
