With over 500 films and television scores bearing his name- composer, orchestrator and conductor Ennio Morricone (born 10 November 1928) from Rome, Italy has dedicated the last seven decades providing monumental musical pieces adding personal touches to his compositions, attributing to his influential and prolific stature as a musical legend.
Born with music in his veins and inspired by his trumpeter father who played in several orchestras, Morricone began composing at age six. As his innate talent was realised he soon embarked on becoming classically trained, developing and nurturing his trumpet skills.
Early on in his career, Morricone began playing in various jazz bands to help support his family and soon took a hand at composing for radio and Italian pop stars. In 1954 he started ghost writing film scores under the monikers Dan Savio and Leo Nichols. In 1970 along with three other Italian composers, together they opened the Forum Music Village recording studio in Rome, Italy and it was here that Morricone would record his own scores. The studio itself attracted a host of recording artists with its quirky nature and its ability to record a church organ straight to the studio. Over the last few decades visitors have included: Quincy Jones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Will.I.Am and Morrissey.
In his prolific long-standing career, Morricone has added his magic touch to the blockbuster Hollywood films: “Kill Bill” (2003), “Death Proof” (2007), “Inglorious Basterds” (2009) and “Django Unchained” (2012), as well as co-writing the Pet Shop Boys smash hit “It Couldn’t Happen Here” in 1973.
With four Grammy’s under his belt, in 2007 Morricone joined Alex North as one of the only composers to receive an honorary Oscar as presented by film legend Clint Eastwood. Later that year, a tribute album “We All Love Ennio Morricone” was released and featured performances from: Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Metallica.
Taking his compositions on the road accompanied by 180-200 musicians and vocalists, Morricone has travelled the globe performing in prestigious venues such as: Royal Albert Hall in London, England, Radio City Music Hall in New York City, U.S. and Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, Mexico. Having influenced a number of artists extending across a variety of music genres including Jay Z, the Orb and Muse, Morricone’s extensive body of work in both the film and music industry has solidified his position as a virtuoso, influential and legendary composer.
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Log in to your account
