RAUL-DIRETTO DI UCCIDERE.

Available soon from KRONOS RECORDS.

 

 

Composer Andrea Morricone, is in my very humble opinion probably one of the worlds most undervalued composers of music for film. Of course, when one has such a high-profile Father who is also a composer it must be difficult to gain respect and establish one’s self and style of composition. Andrea Morricone however, has managed to do this and has written numerous film scores in his own right as a film music Maestro. At times there are certain similarities between his style and sound and his Fathers, but when your Father is Ennio Morricone it must be difficult for certain composing, arranging and orchestration quirks not to influence or rub off on you. The score for RAUL DIRETTO DI UCCIDERE, is for me a delight and joy to listen to, it not only evokes memories of Italian film music of the 1960’s and 1970’s but also has to it an originality and sound that is contemporary, vibrant and innovative. The score for the 2005 thriller, is filled with dark and apprehensive passages, the composer utilising brass, woodwind, low strings and scatterings of percussion throughout to fashion a sense of foreboding and uneasy atmospheres. There is an underlying sombre sound to the score, but the composer does on occasion lighten this with the introduction of haunting and gracious sounding themes, the majority of the work is symphonic, the composer introducing electronic support at key points within the work to create the correct ambience. The score opens with the captivating piece entitled UN AMORE ETERNO, performed in the main by woodwind and strings, the theme can be at times likened to LA CALIFFA or PER AMORE which were popular scores during the 1970’s for Ennio Morricone, the composer also utilises solo piano and clarinet which are both enhanced by the use of warm and inviting strings, it is hard at times not to compare the work of Andrea with that of his Father, but although the score does contain certain stylistic similarities the style and individual sound of Andrea does shine through. The second cue DIRETTO DI UCCIDERE, which is the theme for the movie, is very different from its predecessor, it has a forceful but somewhat awkward sound initially, but soon moves into a forthright and dramatic piece, again with the string section being utilised and supported by brass and percussion which are both punctuated and underlined further by synthetics, these electronic sounds create an atmosphere that is filled with menace and fearfulness. This mood is carried over into track number three, PER NON LACIAR SOSPETTI, further establishing itself, and becoming more malevolent in its sound and stature. In cue number four, AMORE E MORTE we have the return of a more romantic style, although this is still edged and tinged throughout with an atmosphere that is uncertain and apprehensive.

The movie RAUL-DIRETTO DI UCCIDERE, was released in 2005, directed by Andrea Bolognini, it soon gained much critical acclaim and was awarded the prize for best film at the BAFF film festival. Andrea Morricone’s atmospheric score, also attracted much attention and was nominated for the Italian equivalent of the Golden Globes. Andrea Morricone was born on October 10th, 1964. At the age of 14, Andrea had made up his mind that it was music he wanted to make a career out of, following in the footsteps of his Father Ennio. He studied at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome and graduated with a diploma in composition, at the age of 30. He then continued to study and in 1996 was successful in earning a master’s Degree in orchestral conducting. After this he continued to study and spent the next 2 years or so at THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ST. CECILIA in Rome, where he was guided by Franco Donatoni and Azio Corghi and graduated with a master’s degree in composition. Andrea also studied under, Ivan Fedele, Ada Gentile and Irma Ravinale. Morricone, has written the scores for numerous movies and TV projects, he has also conducted some of the worlds most respected orchestras. His composing skills are not however confined to the world of cinema and television, he is a talented and innovative classical music composer, writing for chamber and orchestral ensembles. His music for film has touched many, and it is true to say that his lilting and haunting theme for CINEMA PARADISO is still his most well-known piece and one for which he and his Father received the BAFTA award for best original score, he also won a Golden Globe in 2012 for his work on L’INDUSTRIALE.

John Mansell© 2018. Movie Music International.