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Posted: |
Jun 28, 2013 - 5:49 PM
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By: |
Dana Wilcox
(Member)
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I happened across this listing on the SAE home page, and having enjoyed a couple previous Piero Piccioni purchases, I decided to take the leap. It is a 2-disc, limited edition of 500 on the Kronos label (never heard of it!), the music from an Italian tv production of THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV.
It arrived today and I have to say -- this is one gorgeous orchestral score! Piccioni was a very lyrical composer, and KARAMAZOV has everything. Lush themes, action cues, period dance and creepy sinister cues as well, orchestrated in the recognizable Piccioni style. I didn't see it mentioned here and as it seems still to be available on SAE even at a 500 unit limit, I guess it's slipped under the radar completely. If you like Piccioni you should at least check out the sound clips. I couldn't be happier for having taken the chance!
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It arrived today and I have to say -- this is one gorgeous orchestral score! Piccioni was a very lyrical composer, and KARAMAZOV has everything.
I couldn't agree more with you here. I also have the double CD here since last week and this has been one of my best purchases this year. The themes - and there at least four very lyrical ones with a lot of different arrangements - are simply gorgeous, there is much musical variety in the score and for me this is an enchanting listening experience. Piccioni in absolute symphonic top form. If you like his THE LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (the main theme has similar melodic contours), LE MONACHE DI SANT'ARCANGELO (listen for the choral pieces and the "aria classica" adagio with Severino Gazzelloni on the flute) or LA TEMPESTA (the rousing dramatic tracks), this is the right score for you.
In two tracks you will also hear precursors of later scores. The mystical strings of track 15 ("Psicologica Ljussa") of CD 1 will crop up a few years later in Piccioni's SWEPT AWAY (track "Vertigo" there) and you will hear the choir track 23 on CD 1 "Super Flumina Babilonis" again in his war score UOMINI CONTRO from 1970.
A highly recommended Piccioni score, indeed one of his finest. It is almost unbelievable that this wonderful orchestral score had been composed only for TV and not for the cinema.
I hope that many people will buy this double CD, even though the score may be unknown to them, because it is such a beauty.
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I've had this a while now and also think it's quite enjoyable.It's worth a listen if you are one of those who think he only did jazz (I did for a while)
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Posted: |
Jun 29, 2013 - 3:52 PM
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By: |
Daddy Lime
(Member)
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So glad you started this thread, Dana Wilcox, and happy to read that you are enjoying this score! I see many familiar screen names contributing to this post, all Piccioni fans from a thread started by kenG! (Hi guys!)
I can't help but to add my own thoughts to this thread..simply echoing what most have already posted...but this is especially for those who may not know about this new CD:
Piccioni's score for I FRATELLI KARAMAZOV is simply outstanding in every way.
The first track establishes a gorgeous theme with a wonderful melodic hook that will remain throughout the score in many different variations...and will pleasantly stay in your memory long after the cd has finished. The Russian dances are wonderful, and the classic Russian rhythms are presented in a uniquely fresh way that keeps your foot tapping along. (or do your best Cossack moves if you can)
There's a spiritual side to this as well, and although I'm not familiar with the film, I do know the source and of course the religious side is well represented here with chorales and classical-style religious motifs. This all plays nicely as it is interspersed with compelling dramatic scoring to fill out the program. I think it's remarkable that a score of this magnitude was written for a television mini-series in 1969!
The sound quality is excellent, and although there are few minor surface noises here and there due to the age of the recordings, these do not intrude on the listening experience. In fact, the music is crisp, clear, and very clean. The presentation is outstanding, and the material is very generously spread over two CDs. You may want to set aside some quiet time on your schedule, turn off the phone and computers, just sit back and relax to fully appreciate the depth and artistry of this score by Piero Piccioni, a superbly gifted talent in the world of Italian Cinema!
P.S. I'm not sure how this is selling, but I think once word gets out about this score, 500 copies may go sooner than later. I know there's a lot being released now, and priorities must be made, but if you are thinking about buying the latest re-re-re-releases of your favorite score, stop for a moment and check out the samples for FRATELLI before you decide to buy. My guess is that this fresh Piccioni release will win you over.
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Actually I've been a Piccioni convert ever since I first heard LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. My other Piccioni is the FSM double disc of KENNER and MORE THAN A MIRACLE. I am sure there is much more of PP to be discovered but I am not sure which ones to go for. I'm not a big fan of lounge music, or excessively weird horror scores, but can take some of either or both in combination with good lyrical thematic tracks.
Dana, I can give you some recommendations where I am quite sure that they will be the right ones for you.
In any case, you should go for the Digitmovies CD of LE MONACHE DI SANT'ARCANGELO (1972) - throughout this is a lyrical, sensitive score with some choral parts just in the vein of the "Aria classica" theme from I FRATELLI KARAMAZOV.
Also you should try out these ones:
- LA DONNA CHE VENNE DAL MARE (Saimel) - a lyrical as well as dramatic symphonic Golden Age score from 1956 where in the melodic contours you can hear some influence from Friedhofer and even Raksin from that time
- LA TEMPESTA (GDM/Legend) - even though sound quality is not that good, this a magnificent and passionate epic score from 1958 with brilliant themes - I myself always get reminded of Rózsa's LUST FOR LIFE at some points of the music - and I am quite sure you will like it
- CRONACA DI UNA MORTE ANNUNCIATA (Saimel) - this is a late symphonic Piccioni score from 1987, but one of his most touching, tragical, subtle and very emotional with wonderful instrumentation
- IL BELL'ANTONIO (Hexacord) - a very delicate, impressionistic score from 1960 which gives you an enchanting listening experience. In parts also influenced by Alex North, especially in the Main Title
- SENILITÀ (CAM) - also a very impressionistic score from 1962 by Piccioni with a superb main theme and a melancholy ear-catching tango which is pure delight. This one is a must-have CD
- IL MALATO IMMAGINARIO (Saimel) - although a comedy from 1979, this is a very lyrical score with a lovely baroque flavor. I am sure you will like the very romantic themes on this one
- TRAVOLTI DA UN INSOLITO DESTINO... (Beat) - this is also a very melodic score, in parts a bit loungy, but it does also have many melancholy and nostalgic orchestral tracks which should be just the right thing for you
Of course there are are some other Piccioni scores which could be to your liking, but in any case you should try at least these ones I have mentioned above.
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Posted: |
Jun 30, 2013 - 9:47 AM
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By: |
Dana Wilcox
(Member)
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Actually I've been a Piccioni convert ever since I first heard LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. My other Piccioni is the FSM double disc of KENNER and MORE THAN A MIRACLE. I am sure there is much more of PP to be discovered but I am not sure which ones to go for. I'm not a big fan of lounge music, or excessively weird horror scores, but can take some of either or both in combination with good lyrical thematic tracks.
Dana, I can give you some recommendations where I am quite sure that they will be the right ones for you.
In any case, you should go for the Digitmovies CD of LE MONACHE DI SANT'ARCANGELO (1972) - throughout this is a lyrical, sensitive score with some choral parts just in the vein of the "Aria classica" theme from I FRATELLI KARAMAZOV.
Also you should try out these ones:
- LA DONNA CHE VENNE DAL MARE (Saimel) - a lyrical as well as dramatic symphonic Golden Age score from 1956 where in the melodic contours you can hear some influence from Friedhofer and even Raksin from that time
- LA TEMPESTA (GDM/Legend) - even though sound quality is not that good, this a magnificent and passionate epic score from 1958 with brilliant themes - I myself always get reminded of Rózsa's s LUST FOR LIFE at some points of the music - and I am quite sure you will like it
- CRONACA DI UNA MORTE ANNUNICATA (Saimel) - this is a late symphonic Piccioni score from 1987, but one of his most touching, tragical, subtle and very emotional with wonderful instrumentation
- IL BELL'ANTONIO (Hexacord) - a very delicate, impressionistic score from 1960 which gives you an enchanting listening experience. In parts also influenced by Alex North, especially in the Main Title
- SENILITÀ (CAM) - also a very impressionistic score from 1962 by Piccioni with a superb main theme and a melancholy ear-catching tango which is pure delight. This one is a must-have CD
- IL MALATO IMMAGINARIO (Saimel) - although a comedy from 1979, this is a very lyrical score with a lovely baroque flavor. I am sure you will like the very romantic themes on this one
- TRAVOLTI DA UN INSOLITO DESTINO... (Beat) - this is also a very melodic score, in parts a bit loungy, but it does also have many melancholy and nostalgic orchestral tracks which should be just the right thing for you
Of course there are are some other Piccioni scores which could be to your liking, but in any case you should try at least these ones I have mentioned above.
Many thanks for these recommendations! I'm printing out your post and will chip away at them over time. Something to fill in the increasing stretches of down time between releases of great Golden and Silver Age scores.
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