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Brilliant new arrangements

Dale Holmgren | Millbrae, CA United States | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in Rome in Nov, 1998 at the National Academy using their musicians, Morricone breathed new life into his film arrangements with this recording. Curiously, though recorded live, there is no evidence of an audience, applause or otherwise, which is just as well as it would have marred the trancendent experience of this CD. If you thought The Mission's "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" made the hair on the back of your neck stand up, wait until you hear the version on this CD. I'm going to go out on a limb - in my opinion, this is the finest single arrangement Morricone has ever done, and that is in full knowledge of La Tendra Rossa, La Califfa, and Once Upon a Time in America. It will leave you breathless."

Strong alternative arrangements

Dale Holmgren | Millbrae, CA United States | 03/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people who know Morricone may pass over buying this CD thinking it is a compilation of previous efforts. It is not - they are completely new arrangements. The recording quality of the tracks is superb, and while I was not thrilled with ALL the track selections, the important thing that Morricone fans will appreciate is that there are at least 4 rapsodic masterpieces. "On Earth As It Is in Heaven" is given the definitive treatment, and that annoying repetitive piano in the original of the Love Theme from "Cinema Paradiso" has wisely been excised by the Mastro in the new arrangement here. Overall, the CD is highly recommended."

A masterful revisitation of great movie music

Michael J. Mazza | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 07/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Cinema Concerto: Ennio Morricone at Santa Cecilia" is an excellent sampling of some of the film music of legendary composer Ennio Morricone. This recording is taken from a 1998 concert in which Morricone himself directed the Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, accompanied by both the Chorus and the Children's Chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.The disc starts out with two gentle, melancholy selections from "Cinema Paradiso." These are followed by the wonderfully suspenseful and ominous music of "Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion." Another enjoyable selection is the playful, sweet "H2S." But the party really gets started with the title music of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"--certainly one of the most distinctive pieces ever composed for any film.Other outstanding selections from this disc include the hauntingly beautiful "Casualties of War" and the selections from "The Mission." But perhaps the most stunning track on the disc is "Abolicao" (from the film "Burn"). "Abolicao" is a stirring, majestic composition that makes excellent use of two contrasting choral groups. I also admired the use of percussion on "Abolicao."Ennio Morricone is a true international treasure, and this disc is a wonderful distillation of his passion and artistry."