Conducted by Frank Strobel, the NDR Radiophilharmonie plays the Italian Composer Ennio Morricone‘s soundtrack for “Once Upon a Time in the West”, a classic 1968 spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone. Soloists: Gan-ya Ben-gur Akselrod, soprano; Dieter Kropp, harmonica. Recorded on April 13, 2023, at the Großer Sendesaal of the NDR Landesfunkhaus Niedersachsen Broadcasting Center.
Once Upon a Time in the West
“Once Upon a Time in the West” is a classic 1968 spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone. The film is known for its long, dramatic buildup, unique cinematography, and iconic score by Ennio Morricone. It features a star-studded cast including Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson.
The story centers around a widow, a mysterious harmonica player, and a bandit, all intertwined in a plot involving the railroad expansion in the American West. The film is celebrated for its stylish direction, memorable music, and its influence on the Western genre.
In 2009, Once Upon a Time in the West was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The film is regarded as one of the greatest Westerns of all time and one of the greatest movies of all time.
![The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly [Morricone] [Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Concert Choir]](https://cdn-0.andantemoderato.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Good-The-Bad-And-The-Ugly-Morricone-Danish-National-Symphony-Orchestra-1024x576.jpg)
Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for “Once Upon a Time in the West” is widely regarded as one of his greatest works and a seminal score in film history. Characterized by its innovative use of orchestration and integration of unusual instruments, the soundtrack is notable for creating specific themes for each main character, which not only adds depth to the storytelling but also enhances the film’s emotional impact.
Morricone’s music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the film, blending traditional orchestral elements with harmonicas and electric guitars, thus creating a haunting and memorable auditory experience. The main theme, often referred to as “Man with a Harmonica,” is particularly iconic and has been referenced and re-used in various other media.
Sources
- Once Upon a Time in the West on Wikipedia
- Once Upon a Time in the West on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) website
