I DOLCI VIZI DELLA CASTA SUSANNA.

Originally issued on a CAM long playing record in 1967, this Gianni Ferrio soundtrack is if nothing else an ENTERTAINING one. It is a simple theme laden score that combines slightly dramatic musical styles with that of comedic and romantic. It has within its running time a number of haunting and infectious themes, performed in the main by strings, brass underlined by percussion and little wisps of woodwind that are at times enhanced and punctuated by harpsichord flourishes which are themselves supported and augmented by subtle use of harp, both of which add a certain periodic authenticity to the proceedings. Ferrio was certainly an inventive and at times highly original composer, for this assignment the Maestro created a work that included, epic sounding cues, and also embellished these with little nuances that were either romantically laced or others that at times verged upon the MICKEY MOUSING style employed by various composers when scoring animated shorts or comedy features, add to this a luxurious string soaked arrangement of the central theme and we have here something that is a little bit special. The score also includes a number of pop orientated themes, which are upbeat and certainly grab the listeners attention. In the liner notes it states that maybe this latest BEAT release will not instigate a revolution in ones collection, however I have to disagree because it is a score that hit’s the entertainment spots adequately therefore is a worthwhile addition to any Italian film music enthusiasts collection. Upbeat themes, lilting melodious tone poems, a richly lush arrangement of the scores principal theme which re-emerges on a number of occasions and fast paced chase music all go to make up an enjoyable listening experience and with one of the themes baring a striking resemblance to Ron Goodwin’s MISS MARPLES theme it’s a score that one does not really have to think about just merely pop it into the disc player and listen. Presented well by BEAT with nice art work and informative notes in both Italian and English, check it out.