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Rest in Peace Ennio Morricone 1928-2020

by Shahid Ahmed - 06/07/2020

Every once in a while, we find a composer whose work transcends time. Ennio Morricone comes at the top of the list among the modern day music composers. On 6th July 2020, legendary Italian music composer, Ennio Morricone passed away. He was very fond of chess and played a couple of games with the strongest female chess player of all time Judit Polgar in 2004. In 2006 Turin Olympiad, he composed the theme of the Olympiad. At the same year he won an honorary Oscar Award. Ten years later in 2016, he won his first Oscar Award for The Hateful Eight in Best Original Score category. Let's take a look at life and work of Ennio Morricone in our heartfelt eulogy. Photo: Ian Rogers

Eternal Ennio Morricone

The influence of the legendary Italian music composer in the world of film industry is immeasurable. From A Fistful of Dollars to The Hateful Eight, the 'Maestro' has put a soul on the spaghetti western movies like no one else has ever done before.

Ennio Morricone ponders over a position | Photo: Ian Rogers twitter

Judit Polgar shared on her twitter, "I always admired Ennio Morricone’s work and passion. I was fortunate to meet him, he challenged me in 2 rapid games in 2004 at the Hungarian Academy of Rome. I will always remember him and continue listening to his compositions as his artwork and compositions were one of kind."

World's strongest female chess player Judit Polgar with the legendary Ennio Morricone | Photo: Judit Polgar's twitter

Here is one of the two games betwen Judit Polgar and Ennio Morricone

Judit shares, Maestro Morricone just receiving my dedicated exclusive chess set after his concert in Munich | Photo: Judit's fb

Another game where the legend faced Italian GM Sergio Mariotti in a Simultaneous Exhibition match in 2004.

Australia's legendary GM Ian Rogers tweeted

Tarantino - Morricone combination

Starting from Kill Bill to The Hateful Eight, a Quentin Tarantino movie meant there is a good chance the music composer will be Ennio Morricone. Thus a beautiful friendship between them was born which eventually made sure Morricone get the Academy Award in 2016.

Morricone-Tarantino meant a deadly combo | Photo: Camilla Morandi/REX/Shutterstock

Soundtrack and Library music pioneers Ennio Morricone, Franco Evangelisti and Egisto Macchi playin chess | Photo: Unknown

Oscar (Academy Award) win in 2016

Ten years after winning an honorary Oscar Award, Morricone won his first Oscar for Best Original Score for the movie The Hateful Eight at the age of 81 years.

Ennio Morricone on winning Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2016 | Video: Oscars

Ennio Morricone composed 2006 Turin Olympiad Theme

In case anyone is still wondering Morricone's contribution to chess, in 2006 Turin Olympiad, the 'Maestro' composed the theme for the Olympiad. Give it a listen and then you will understand how versatile the man was with his creation.

2006 Turin Chess Olympiad theme | Video: ScacchisticaTorinese

Few of his memorable work in the film industry

There are countless timeless creations Morricone. These are the few ones that come from the top of my head. Please share more of his compositions which you like and we have missed here.

A Fistful of Dollars theme | Source: Ennio Morricone
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly theme | Source: Ennio Morricone
Once Upon a Time in the West - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live) | Video: DR Koncerthuset
Ennio Morricone Greatest Hits | Source: Ennio Morricone
He composed for John Carpenter's Award winning Sci-fi thriller The Thing (1982)

If you are a fan of Ennio Morricone then you are just as sad as every other fan of his work along with me and if you have never heard any of his compositions, then you can check out a youtube channel which has a lot of his compositions. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if we call him modern day Bach, Mozart or Tchaikovsky whose compositions will definitely stand the test of time and will be remembered for an eternity.

Links

Ennio Morricone youtube channel

 

If anyone has a game or photo of him, please do share with us, we will try to add them


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