Ennio Morricone was an Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, and trumpet player, who composed over 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as over 100 classical works in his over a 65-year long career. Known for writing and composing music in a wide range of style, Morricone composed several hit songs including the score to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”(1966), which is considered one of the most influential soundtracks in history and was even inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
For his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music, he was awarded the Academy Honorary Award in 2007. He received several awards for his magnificent work including three Grammy Awards, three Golden Globes, six BAFTAs, ten David di Donatello, eleven Nastro d’Argento, two European Film Awards, the Golden Lion Honorary Award and the Polar Music Prize in 2010.
However, on July 6, 2020, Morricone passed away at the age of 91 in Rome, Italy leaving all of his great legendary work with us.
Source: @italianacademyfoundation
What was Ennio Morricone Famous for?
- Famous as an Academy Award-winning Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, and trumpet player.
Where was Ennio Morricone Born?
Ennio Morricone was born on November 10, 1928, in Rome, Italy. His birth name was Ennio Morricone. His nationality was Italian. Morricone belonged to White ethnicity while Scorpio was his zodiac sign.
Ennio Morricone was born as the son of Libera Ridolfi(mother) and Mario Morricone(father). His father, Mario was a professional trumpet player who performed in light-music orchestras, while her mother, Libera was an entrepreneur. His family came from Arpino, near Frosinone, he was raised in Trastevere along with his 4 siblings: brothers Aldo and Franco, and sisters Adriana and Maria.
Morricone was first exposed to music through his father, who taught him how to read music and also to play several instruments. He even joined the National Academy of St Cecilia, to take trumpet lessons which he formally entered in 1940 at age 12, enrolling in a four-year harmony program.
Under the direction of Goffredo Petrassi, Morricone studied the trumpet, composition, and choral music. In 1946, he received his diploma in trumpet after which he continued to work in classical composition and arrangement.
He completed his education receiving the Diploma in Instrumentation for Band Arrangement(fanfare) with a mark of 9/10 in 1952. Further, he didn’t stop and then joined Conservatory of Santa Cecilia subsequently got graduated in 1954 obtaining a final 9.5/10 in his Diploma in Composition under Petrassi.
Besides, he wrote his first compositions when he was six years old.
When Did Ennio Morricone Die?
Ennio Morricone died on July 6, 2020, at the Università Campus Bio-Medico in Rome, at age of 91. His cause of death was identified as a result of injuries sustained during a fall. Morricone is survived by his wife and children.
Ennio Morricone’s Career Highlights
- Ennio Morricone began his professional career composing “Il Mattino”(The Morning) for voice and piano on a text by Fukuko in 1946.
- In 1940s, he played the trumpet in jazz bands composing songs like “Musica per archi e pianoforte”(1954), “Quattro pezzi per chitarra”(1957), “Concerto per orchestra”(1957).
- He then moved from radio shows to films and began his career as an arranger in 1950, by arranging the piece Mamma Bianca.
- He briefly worked for the Italian broadcasting service RAI in 1958 before taking up a position as a top studio arranger at RCA Victor.
- He composed songs for several artists including Gianni Morandi, Alberto Lionello, Rita Pavone, Gino Paoli, Demis Roussos, and many others.
- In 1959, Morricone was the conductor for Mario Nascimbene’s score to “Morte Di Un Amico”.
- In 1963, Morricone co-wrote the music for the composition “Ogni volta” that sold over three million copies worldwide. The success was followed by another hit composed album, “Se telefonando” that was the fifth-biggest-selling album of the year 1966 in Italy.
- Morricone made his film debut by writing and composing music for the Luciano Salce Italian war drama, “Il Federale”(The Fascist) in 1961.
- In 1962, Morricone composed the jazz-influenced score for Salce’s comedy “La voglia matta”(Crazy Desire). Morricone composed music includes “Slalom”(1966) and “El Greco”(1966).
- Morricone gained international fame for composing music for “Westerns” including the hit song, “Once Upon a Time in the West” which is one of the best-selling scores worldwide.
- In 1964, he co-founded the Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza(G.I.N.C.). While being at GINC as the main member for over 14 years, he experimented with several anti-musical systems and noise techniques and eventually, they released seven hit albums including “Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza”(1966), “The Private Sea of Dreams”(1967), “Improvisationen”(1968).
- He then co-founded a recording studio “Forum Music Village” in 1969 in Rome. He has produced all his compositions in the studio for the last 40 years.
- His best-known scores for comedies include “La Cage aux Folles”(1978) and “La Cage aux Folles II”(1980).
- In 1977, Morricone scored John Boorman’s “Exorcist II: The Heretic” and Alberto De Martino’s apocalyptic horror film, “Holocaust 2000”. The same year, he composed the official theme for the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
- One of Morricone’s first contributions to an American director concerned his music for the religious epic film, “The Bible: In the Beginning…”
- Morricone excelled in Hollywood, composing for prolific American directors such as Don Siegel, Mike Nichols, Brian De Palma, Barry Levinson, Oliver Stone.
- Morricone’s music has been reused in television series, including “The Simpsons” and “The Sopranos”, and in many films, including “Inglourious Basterds” and “Django Unchained”.
- His acclaimed soundtrack for “The Mission”(1986) was certified gold in the United States.
- In 1987, Morricone co-wrote “It Couldn’t Happen Here” with the Pet Shop Boys.
- His best-known compositions include “The Ecstasy of Gold”, “Se Telefonando”, “Man with a Harmonica”, “Here’s to You”.
- Morricone influenced many artists throughout his a 65-year long career including Hans Zimmer, Danger Mouse, Dire Straits, Muse, Metallica, and Radiohead.
Awards
- 3 Grammy Awards
- 3 Golden Globes
- 6 BAFTAs
- 10 David di Donatello
- 11 Nastro d’Argento
- 2 European Film Awards
- The Golden Lion Honorary Award and the Polar Music Prize in 2010.
Honor
- Morricone won his first competitive Academy Award for his score to The Hateful Eight in 2016.
- Morricone along with Alex North are the only composers to receive the Academy Honorary Award since its introduction in 1928.
Ennio Morricone’s Wife and Children
Ennio Morricone got married once throughout his entire life till his death at the age of 91. His first and the only wife is Maria Travia, a writer who wrote lyrics to Morricone. Morricone met Travia for the first time in 1950 and eventually got married on October 13, 1956.
They welcomed their first child named Marco in 1957 after almost a year of getting married. Throughout their 64 years long marriage life, Morricone and Trava had 3 sons and a daughter including Marco, Alessandra(1961), Andrea(1964), and Giovanni Morricone(1966). Andrea also has a successful career as a composer and conductor and so does Giovanni, who is a filmmaker.
Morricone lived in Italy his entire life and never desired to live in Hollywood.
Ennio Morricone’s Net Worth
Ennio Morricone had quite great earnings from his professional career as a multi-talented Italian composer who left an unremoved and unmatched mark on Hollywood forever. Having been in the field of music for over 65 years till his last breath, Morricone had managed to amass a wealthy fortune from his several composed songs, music, and live performances.
His net worth at the time of his death was around $50 million. Having his wealth accumulated in million dollars, Morricone lived a luxury lifestyle and was able to give his children a luxurious life anyone could ever ask for.
Ennio Morricone’s Height
Ennio Morricone was a good looking man in his early 90s at the time of his death. With his unique personality of creating new genres in music, he had managed to win several hearts all around the world. He had a height of 5ft. 4inch while his body weight was around 58kg.
He had a fair complexion with white hair and dark brown eyes.
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