Press Release from Quartet:Quartet Records, in collaboration with GDM, presents an Armando Trovajoli double-header with two infectious scores for classic Italian comedies by Dino Risi and Pasquale Festa Campanile, both released in 1969.
Quartet Records and Universal Pictures Film Music Classics Collection proudly present the world premiere release of Ennio Morricone’s charming score for Virna Lisi’s 1967 romantic-comedy ARABELLA, directed by Mauro Bolognini and also starring Terry-Thomas (in multiple roles), James Fox and Margaret Rutherford. This was Morricone’s first collaboration with Bolognini, marking the beginning of a long relationship spanning three decades and producing some of the Roman maestro’s finest and most romantic scores.
In ARABELLA, Morricone tapped into the Jazz Age setting to craft a score immersed in the sounds of the 1920s, including the tango and Charleston, all in his own distinctive style. He also provided a silky, elusive love theme that glides along on smooth strings and wordless chorus. Morricone augmented this theme with harpsichord and synth to create a slight feeling of unreality connected with Arabella’s daring intrigues.
Until now, the score of ARABELLA has never been released in any format. Not a single cue was ever included in any of the countless Morricone compilations, and for a long time the music was considered lost. Fortunately, a set of 1/4″ tapes with the complete recording sessions was located in the Universal vaults, in mono, and in very good condition. The album was produced by Neil S. Bulk and the GRAMMY®-nominated producer Mike Matessino, sequenced by Dániel Winkler and mastered by Matessino. The package includes detailed liner notes by film music writer John Takis.
