Ennio Morricone

Ennio Morricone – Life, Legacy, and Memorable Insights

Dive into the life and music of Ennio Morricone (1928–2020), the Italian composer whose film scores redefined cinema. Discover his biography, achievements, influence, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Ennio Morricone (10 November 1928 – 6 July 2020) was an Italian composer, conductor, orchestrator, trumpeter, and pianist whose work has left an indelible mark on film and music. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he composed over 400 film and television scores in addition to many concert works.

His music—ranging from sweeping melodies to experimental textures—became integral to cinematic storytelling, especially in the genre of the “spaghetti Western.” Morricone’s influence goes far beyond any single style, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest film composers of all time.

Early Life and Musical Foundations

Ennio Morricone was born in Rome, Italy on November 10, 1928.

From a young age, Morricone studied music. By the age of twelve, he was enrolled at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, where he took courses in trumpet, composition, and orchestration.

His education also included studies under Goffredo Petrassi (a prominent Italian composer), particularly in composition and orchestration.

Early in his career, Morricone worked composing arrangements for radio, theater, and television, and he supported himself as a performer (for example, as a trumpeter and arranger) while building his compositional voice.

Career and Major Achievements

Cinematic Explosion & Spaghetti Westerns

Morricone’s breakthrough in film scoring came in the 1960s, particularly through his collaboration with director Sergio Leone. He scored classic Westerns like A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, and others, creating some of the most iconic musical motifs in cinema history.

His approach often included blending traditional orchestral elements with unconventional instruments, vocalizations, percussive effects, whistles, and ambient sounds—creating emotional textures that felt inventive and immersive.

Beyond Westerns, Morricone’s versatility allowed him to score a wide variety of films—thrillers, dramas, romance, horror, and more. He worked with directors like Pier Paolo Pasolini, Bernardo Bertolucci, Giuseppe Tornatore, Brian De Palma, Oliver Stone, and Quentin Tarantino, among many others.

Concert Works & Later Career

Parallel to his film work, Morricone composed concert music: orchestral works, choral pieces, and chamber music.

Over his lifetime, Morricone earned numerous awards, including:

• Honorary Academy Award (2007) for his “magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music.”

• Competitive Academy Award in 2016 for his score to The Hateful Eight, becoming one of the oldest winners in that category.

• Many Golden Globes, BAFTAs, David di Donatello awards, Nastro d’Argento awards, and more.

• He sold millions of albums and soundtracks, making him among the best-known film composers commercially.

Intellectual & Artistic Context

Morricone’s career spanned eras of cinematic evolution: from the decline of the studio system in Europe to the rise of auteur cinema, new technologies, and globalization of film culture. His ability to adapt, innovate, and reinvent himself allowed him to stay relevant across decades.

His compositional philosophy favored emotion, atmosphere, and narrative support over mere musical display. He once said that the musical score is just the beginning: it must be listened to by instruments, shaped by the director, and ultimately reach the public.

He also believed “music is an experience, not a science.”

His sound designs often included realistic or ambient sounds—whistles, animal sounds, gunshots, voices—to blur lines between score and environment. For The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, he even used coyote sounds as part of the thematic palette.

In interviews, he expressed that he worked on each film as if it were the first—and the last, investing deep personal commitment to each score.

Legacy and Influence

Ennio Morricone’s legacy is vast:

• Iconic musical identity: His melodies (e.g. “Ecstasy of Gold,” “Gabriel’s Oboe,” “Chi Mai”) remain instantly recognizable worldwide.

• Influence across genres: Musicians in classical, rock, electronic, and film circles cite him as a major influence.

• Elevating film scoring: He helped shift how audiences understand the role of music in narrative cinema, making the score a protagonist.

• Cross-cultural legacy: His work transcends language and culture; filmgoers worldwide know his sounds even if they don’t know his name.

• Recognition & remembrance: Numerous tributes, reissues, documentaries (such as Giuseppe Tornatore’s Maestro), and performances continue to celebrate his oeuvre.

Personality, Values & Life Reflections

Morricone was known for being modest, disciplined, and fiercely loyal to his Italian roots. He turned down Hollywood living offers—preferring to stay in Italy.

He also once said:

“I was offered a free villa in Hollywood, but I said no thank you, I prefer to live in Italy.”

He considered each score as a “child” of his, expressing that “they’re all my children… every score I’ve done.”

He also integrated realism in his aesthetic:

“I also used these realistic sounds in a psychological way. With The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, I used animal sounds – as you say, the coyote sound – so the sound of the animal became the main theme of the movie.”

In his later years, Morricone faced health challenges—he suffered injuries and back problems, and had to cancel some live performances.

He passed away on July 6, 2020, in Rome, following complications from a fall.

Selected Quotes by Ennio Morricone

Here are some of his memorable reflections:

• “I can’t be enthusiastic as soon as I write something on the music sheet. The music sheet is only the beginning: it has to be listened to, played by the instruments, and then heard by the director, but most importantly, it has to be listened to by the public.”

• “Music is an experience, not a science.”

• “I profoundly love the profession, and I work on each film as if it were the first — and the last. Giving the best of myself. Many of the 'greats' ask their arranger to write their scores for them. Me, I write all alone, from the first note to the last. All.”

• “They’re all my children… every score I’ve done.”

• “I was offered a free villa in Hollywood, but I said no thank you, I prefer to live in Italy.”

Lessons from Ennio Morricone

1. Artistry + humility — Morricone maintained a deep sense of discipline, humility, and dedication even as his fame grew.

2. Narrative sensitivity — He treated music not as decoration but as dialogue with image, silence, and storytelling.

3. Innovation within context — He wasn’t afraid to mix experimental sounds with tradition, so long as it served the film.

4. Personal commitment — His idea of treating each score as both first and last speaks to the depth of investment he gave to every project.

5. Rooted identity — His refusal to relocate permanently to Hollywood reflects a dedication to place, language, and cultural identity.

Conclusion

Ennio Morricone left behind a musical legacy that resonates through cinema, concert halls, and popular culture. His ability to fuse melody, psychology, and narrative made the soundtrack an integral voice in film. Rather than composing music to accompany film, he created music that became film.