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Roma, Italy · 1946–2020

Ennio Morricone

What defines Ennio Morricone is not just his ability to write scores, but how those melodies became ingrained in the collective memory as if they had always been there. His sound doesn't follow rules: he mixes children's choirs with high-pitched whistles, distorted guitars with classical orchestrations, and rhythms that seem plucked from a dream. It's not background music; it's another character in every film. In the sixties, when the spaghetti western brought him fame, his themes didn't accompany scenes, they defined them. A whistle, a slightly out-of-tune trumpet, a choir repeating like an echo in the desert: that was the Italian west before the genre even existed.

He worked with Sergio Leone on titles like A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, where every note seems carved for the exact moment the revolver fires. But his genius didn't stop at the genre. Early on, in Rome, he shaped the sound of the sixties with pop songs like Sapore di sale or Il mondo, proving he could move from the recording studio to a film soundtrack without losing an iota of his essence.The turn that took him beyond Italy came when American cinema sought him out. In the seventies, his music crossed the Atlantic and found its way into films by Brian De Palma, Barry Levinson, and Quentin Tarantino.

Classical avant-garde cinematic classical Jazz modern classical 1920s

6 Albums

97 Songs

1,9M Listeners/mo

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Most played on DoReSol

Essential songs

See all 97 →

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

3:51 02

Falls

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:55 03

Gabriel's Oboe

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

2:14 04

Ave Maria Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

2:51 05

Brothers

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:33 06

Carlotta

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:22 07

Vita Nostra

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:55 08

Climb

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:38 09

Remorse

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

2:47 10

Penance

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

4:03

The full catalog on DoReSol

All songs

Alone

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Ave Maria Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Belinda May (From “L’alibi”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Brian De Palma Suite: Casualties of War: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Brian De Palma Suite: The Untouchables: Death Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Brothers

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Carlotta

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Chi Mai

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

Chi Mai

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Chi Mai (From “Maddalena”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Cinema In Fiamme

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Cinema In Fiamme

Paradiso · 2011

Climb

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Dal Sex-Appeal Americano Al Primo Fellini

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Dal Sex-Appeal Americano Al Primo Fellini

Paradiso · 2011

Deborah's Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

Deborah's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Dopo Il Crollo

Paradiso · 2011

Duck You Sucker

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Falls

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Falls

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

Farewell Moscow (From “Farewell Moscow”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Fuga, Ricerca E Ritorno

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Gabriel's Oboe

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Gabriel's Oboe

Paradiso

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: A Pure Formality: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Looking for You

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Nostalgia

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Malena: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: The Legend of 1900: Playing Love

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Harmonica Man

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Infanzia E Maturità

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Infanzia E Maturità

Paradiso · 2011

Jill's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Love Theme

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

Love Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Love Theme for Nata (From “Cinema Paradiso”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

L’arena (From “The Mercenary - A Professional Gun”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Main Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Maturità

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Maturità

Paradiso · 2011

Money (From “Money - Intrigo in Nove Mosse”) - Seq. 1

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Marco Polo: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Journey

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Ninna Nanna in Blù (From “He Cat O’ Nine Tails”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

Paradiso · 2011

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone

Penance

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Per Elena

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Prima Gioventù

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Prima Gioventù

Paradiso · 2011

Proiezione A Due

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Proiezione A Due

Paradiso · 2011

Quattro Interludi

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Quattro Interludi

Paradiso · 2011

Refusal

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Regan's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Remorse

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Ripensandola

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Ripensandola

Paradiso · 2011

River

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Senza Motivo Apparente (From “Senza Movente”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

Sull’amaca (From “Trip with Anita - Lovers and Liars”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Te Deum Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

Tema D'Amore

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Tema D'Amore

Paradiso · 2011

Tema D'Amore Per Nata

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Tema D'Amore Per Nata

Paradiso · 2011

Tema Di Ada (From “Novecento - 1900”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

Tepepa - Viva La Revolucion (From “Tepepa”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

The Big Gundown (From “The Big Gundown”) - Title‐Reprise

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

The Five Man Army

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

The Lady Caliph: Dinner

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

The Lady Caliph: Nocturne

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

The Mission

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

The Mission: Gabriel’s Oboe

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

The Mission: The Falls

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

The Night and the Moment (From “The Night and the Moment”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

The Strong (From “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

The Sword

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

The Untouchables

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

The Untouchables

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

Totò E Alfredo

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Totò E Alfredo

Paradiso · 2011

Visita Al Cinema

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

Vita Nostra

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

6 album|s · 1986 — 2011

Full discography

2011 ★ Essential

Paradiso

14 song|s · Clásica

2006 ★ Essential

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone

12 song|s · Clásica

2004 ★ Essential

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

22 song|s · Clásica

1988 ★ Essential

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

17 song|s · Clásica

1988 ★ Essential

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

15 song|s · Clásica

1986 ★ Essential

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film)

17 song|s · Clásica

Details, awards, members and more

More about Ennio Morricone

Biography

It wasn't a change of style, but a confirmation: his language served any story. In The Untouchables or The Mission, his themes don't sound European; they sound universal. But recognition was slow to arrive. Although he was nominated for an Oscar five times between 1979 and 2001, he never won until he received an honorary award in 2007. By then, he had already spent decades demonstrating that film music could be art without needing awards. When in 2016 he won the Oscar again for The Hateful Eight, he did so with the same naturalness with which he had composed decades earlier: as if it had always been part of the system.Morricone didn't just compose for films; he created universes.

In Cinema Paradiso, for example, the music doesn't narrate, it evokes: cinema, childhood, nostalgia. In Days of Heaven, his soft, choral chords convey a melancholy that the script doesn't express in words. And in The Untouchables, that theme with cornets and strings isn't a background; it's the heartbeat of the city in the thirties. His versatility wasn't a trick: it was the consequence of understanding that music doesn't have to fit into a mold. He studied at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory, where he trained as a trumpeter and composer, but he never allowed himself to be limited by academia. Even when he won awards—three Grammys, four Golden Globes, six BAFTAs—he used them as tools, not as goals.

The star on the Walk of Fame in 2016 or the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce in 2017 were late recognitions for someone who had already redefined what a soundtrack could be. He died in 2020, but his melodies continue to play in every western, in every tense scene, in every moment when cinema needs music not just to accompany, but to exist.

Details

Born: 10 Nov 1928
Country: 🇮🇹 Italy
Genre: Classical

Awards and honors

Grammy

Links

Spotify Official site Instagram Twitter Wikipedia

The full catalog on DoReSol

All songs

The Mission

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

2:49 12

River

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

1:59 13

Te Deum Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

0:48 14

Refusal

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

3:30 15

Alone

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

4:26 16

Guarani

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

3:57 17

The Sword

The Mission (Original Sound Track From the Film) · 1986

2:01 18

Chi Mai

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

Love Theme

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores)

Love Theme for Nata (From “Cinema Paradiso”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:09 22

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:57 23

The Strong (From “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

2:24 24

Maturità

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:18 25

The Big Gundown (From “The Big Gundown”) - Title‐Reprise

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

2:02 26

Ripensandola

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

1:15 27

Chi Mai (From “Maddalena”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

3:35 28

Infanzia E Maturità

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:13 29

Cinema In Fiamme

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:45 30

L’arena (From “The Mercenary - A Professional Gun”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:45 31

Tema D'Amore

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:45 32

Tema Di Ada (From “Novecento - 1900”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:52 33

Prima Gioventù

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:15 34

Tepepa - Viva La Revolucion (From “Tepepa”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:22 35

Tema D'Amore Per Nata

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

4:07 36

Farewell Moscow (From “Farewell Moscow”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:51 37

Visita Al Cinema

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:20 38

Quattro Interludi

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

1:55 39

Money (From “Money - Intrigo in Nove Mosse”) - Seq. 1

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

3:46 40

Fuga, Ricerca E Ritorno

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:05 41

Ninna Nanna in Blù (From “He Cat O’ Nine Tails”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

2:40 42

The Night and the Moment (From “The Night and the Moment”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

3:33 43

Proiezione A Due

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

2:05 44

Senza Motivo Apparente (From “Senza Movente”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

4:23 45

Dal Sex-Appeal Americano Al Primo Fellini

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

3:25 46

Belinda May (From “L’alibi”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

2:57 47

Totò E Alfredo

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

1:16 48

Sull’amaca (From “Trip with Anita - Lovers and Liars”)

Ennio Morricone Lounge Music Session Vol. 2 (Original Film Scores) · 1988

2:07 49

Per Elena

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso · 1988

1:48 50

Falls

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

Deborah's Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

The Untouchables

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

The Mission: Gabriel’s Oboe

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:13 54

The Mission: The Falls

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

2:29 55

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: The Legend of 1900: Playing Love

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

1:49 56

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Nostalgia

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

1:58 57

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Cinema Paradiso: Looking for You

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

1:43 58

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Malena: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

4:22 59

Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: A Pure Formality: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:52 60

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:32 61

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

2:13 62

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

1:49 63

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:21 64

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

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:59 65

Brian De Palma Suite: Casualties of War: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:54 66

Brian De Palma Suite: The Untouchables: Death Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:15 67

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Journey

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

2:34 68

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Moses: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

2:07 69

Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Marco Polo: Main Theme

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:25 70

The Lady Caliph: Dinner

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

3:50 71

The Lady Caliph: Nocturne

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone · 2004

2:33 72

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone

Harmonica Man

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

3:53 74

The Untouchables

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

2:22 75

Main Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

3:30 76

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

2:51 77

Duck You Sucker

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

4:09 78

Jill's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

6:07 79

The Five Man Army

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

2:48 80

Deborah's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

4:44 81

Chi Mai

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

5:37 82

Regan's Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

2:38 83

Love Theme

Film Music Masterworks - Ennio Morricone · 2006

3:32 84

Gabriel's Oboe

Paradiso

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

Paradiso · 2011

2:57 86

Maturità

Paradiso · 2011

2:18 87

Ripensandola

Paradiso · 2011

1:15 88

Infanzia E Maturità

Paradiso · 2011

2:13 89

Cinema In Fiamme

Paradiso · 2011

2:45 90

Tema D'Amore

Paradiso · 2011

2:45 91

Dopo Il Crollo

Paradiso · 2011

2:00 92

Prima Gioventù

Paradiso · 2011

2:15 93

Tema D'Amore Per Nata

Paradiso · 2011

4:07 94

Quattro Interludi

Paradiso · 2011

1:55 95

Proiezione A Due

Paradiso · 2011

2:05 96

Dal Sex-Appeal Americano Al Primo Fellini

Paradiso · 2011

3:25 97

Totò E Alfredo

Paradiso · 2011

1:16

Learn your instrument.

Ennio Morricone

Essential songs

All songs

Full discography

More about Ennio Morricone

Biography

Details

Awards and honors

Links

All songs