Search - Nino Rota, Riccardo Muti :: Nino Rota: Music For Film

You've never heard "The Godfather" like this

Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 08/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me the highlight of this disc is a short suite from "Rocco and His Brothers," with some pungent accordion work and 1950's jazz influences. This is glorious and rarely performed music, and conductor Riccardo Muti and the fine La Scala musicians should be thanked for presenting it so beautifully. (The film itself, available on DVD, is one of Visconti's best and well worth seeking out.) But there isn't a stale moment anywhere.The melancholy themes from "The Godfather" have probably never been played so well. The famous opening trumpet solo, combining loneliness and menace in equal parts, is beautifully done, as are the relatively upbeat selections from "8-1/2" and "La Dolce Vita." Throughout the production, it is marvelous to hear these scores played with such passion and commitment, and the La Scala musicians sound sweepingly involved. But for many listeners the highlight will be the dazzling and haunting waltzes from "The Leopard," with their melodic arcs echoing the grand scale of Visconti's masterpiece. This is truly evocative film writing.An excellent introduction to Rota's music, played with suave intensity by one of the best conductors in the world. (For those interested, Muti and La Scala recorded another Rota CD with additional dances from "The Leopard," as well as music from "La Strada" and the "Concerto for Strings" -- also highly recommended.)"

Italian Scala and Muti feels Rota!

Alejandro Zalaquett | Santiago de CHILE, Santiago Chile | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps this is the most powerfull collection of film music of Nino Rota, and Muti knows and feel this music. Splendid perfomance and sound."