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2004

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Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma brings us a very personal interpretation of Ennio Morricone's compositions on the album *Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone*, released in 2004. This work is a window into the emotional depth and melodic richness that characterize the acclaimed Italian composer. Morricone, originally from Rome and who passed away in 2020, left an immense legacy in film music, creating soundtracks for over 470 films and television series. His ability to weave unforgettable melodies made him a key figure, and this album allows us to appreciate the versatility of his work through the interpretation of a single instrument.

Year: 2004
Songs: 19
Duration: 55 min 58 seg

Listen to the album ★

22 song|s

Song list

# Title Available ⏱

Falls

Deborah's Theme

The Untouchables

The Mission: Gabriel’s Oboe

3:13 02

The Mission: The Falls

2:29 03

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: The Legend of 1900: Playing Love

1:49 04

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Nostalgia

1:58 05

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Looking for You

1:43 06

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Malena: Main Theme

4:22 07

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: A Pure Formality: Main Theme

3:52 08

Sergio Leone Suite: Once Upon a Time in America: Deborah’s Theme

3:32 09

Sergio Leone Suite: Once Upon a Time in America: Cockeye’s Song

2:13 10

Sergio Leone Suite: Once Upon a Time in America: Main Theme

1:49 11

Sergio Leone Suite: Once Upon a Time in the West: Main Theme

3:21 12

Sergio Leone Suite: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Ecstasy of Gold

3:59 13

Brian De Palma Suite: Casualties of War: Main Theme

3:54 14

Brian De Palma Suite: The Untouchables: Death Theme

3:15 15

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Journey

2:34 16

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Main Theme

2:07 17

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Marco Polo: Main Theme

3:25 18

The Lady Caliph: Dinner

3:50 19

The Lady Caliph: Nocturne

2:33

Genres

Classical avant-garde cinematic classical Jazz modern classical

Details

Year: 2004
Songs: 19
Duration: 55 min 58 seg

About the album

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone, according to DoReSol

On this record, Ma delves into iconic pieces that evoke powerful images. We hear themes from films such as *The Mission*, with the moving *Gabriel’s Oboe* and *The Falls*, which convey an atmosphere of solemnity and reflection. Suites dedicated to directors like Giuseppe Tornatore are also explored, including the melancholic *Playing Love* from *The Legend of 1900* and *Nostalgia* from *Cinema Paradiso*. The connection with Sergio Leone's cinema is palpable in the selection, with moments as recognizable as *Deborah’s Theme* from *Once Upon a Time in America* or the imposing *Ecstasy of Gold* from *The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly*. The selection of themes ranges from the dramatic tension of *Death Theme* from *The Untouchables* to the epic scope of *Moses: Journey*.

Ennio Morricone's career, which began in 1946, spanned decades, from his beginnings as an arranger for RCA Italiana, where he helped define the sound of Italian popular music in the sixties with songs like *Sapore di sale*, to his consecration in Westerns and Hollywood cinema. His work for Italian Westerns, in particular, linked him with directors such as Sergio Leone, Sergio Sollima, and Sergio Corbucci, creating scores that became inseparable from the films. This album, performed by Yo-Yo Ma, demonstrates how these compositions, stripped of their original cinematic context, retain an expressive force and intrinsic beauty that resonate deeply.

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