UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE E UNA PER MORIRE / LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI

Label: Digitmovies CDDM 145
Date: 1972
Tracks: 32
Time = 73:46

CD from Italy

Original soundtrack from 1972 Italy western directed by Tonino Valerii, starring Bud Spencer, James Coburn, Telly Savalas. Riz Ortolani generally avoids Italy western scoring conventions, anchors score instead with soaring theme for upper strings, French horns in unison. Very brief nod to Morricone-isms during "Ouverture" comes from repeating guitar motif, but use is sparse. The "Titoli" (Main Title) continues melodic style but adds insistent snare drum to represent Yankee Colonel (Coburn). Tension plays role with dissonant strings during "La Grande Ombra Della Morte", but Ortolani refuses to mimic conventions of genre, instead continues to give prominence to strings over any whip snaps, whistling voices or other devices then in vogue. Slow, deliberate pacing of material adds to unique sound. It isn't until track 5 ("Eroicamente Insieme") that composer finally pays homage to fellow Italy western composers with twanging guitar ostinato, solo trumpet in command. However, mention should be made that Ortolani still keeps his own harmonic vernacular at hand. This is rich western music with emphasis on melody over rhythm. Score presented complete, in stereo, with 3:45 minutes of music available for the first time. CD also offers mono presentation of Ortolani score for 1970 moody western-ish tale LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (aka NIGHT OF THE SERPENT), directed by Giulio Petroni, starring Luke Askew, Luigi Pistilli, Chelo Alonso. Considerable guitar work colors this score, both in brooding, tense manner and gently melodic vein. Small Mexican town setting is conveyed via "mariachi" colors. Offbeat, spooky elements in music also factor. Composer even brings in flavorful banjo at mid-point. But guitars generally carry the day throughout. Ortolani moves between acoustic guitar, electric bass with ease! Riz Ortolani conducts.

UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE
1. OUVERTURE 6:11 2. ATTESA 1:23 3. UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE (Titoli) 2:10 4. LA GRANDE OMBRA DELLA MORTE 3:25 5. EROICAMENTE INSIEME 2:55 6. LA FESTA 3:07 7. IL FORTE 2:51 8. UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE (#2) 1:39 9. PRELUDIO ALLA BATTAGLIA 2:42 10. UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE (#3) 3:45 11. VALZER MESSICANO 1:29 12. AZIONE BELLICA 1:22 13. UOMINI DIMENTICATI DA DIO 1:59 14. UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE (Finale) 2:46

LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI
15. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.1 - Titoli) 2:26 16. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.2) 2:00 17. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.3) 2:17 18. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.4) 1:37 19. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.5) 1:22 20. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.6) 2:08 21. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.7) 1:20 22. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.8) 2:38 23. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.9) 1:30 24. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.10) 1:07 25. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.11) 3:00 26. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.12) 1:02 27. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.13) 2:43 28. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.14) 1:20 29. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.15) 1:50 30. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.16) 1:38 31. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.17) 2:41 32. LA NOTTE DEI SERPENTI (seq.18- Finale) 2:03