Morricone: Impact of Azerbaijani Music on Region Significant - INTERVIEW

This time a laureate of the Oscar, the famous composer Ennio Morricone, who received the award for Once in America and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, has become a guest of our city. He is a quadruple winner of the Golden Globe and the Golden Lion and the Venice Film Festival. The concert program of the composer will be held at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on January 25.

Maestro Morricone talked about his music career and intentions:

"I start writing music from two principles. The first relates to the films. Writing music for movies, I talk with the directors and write music for the film. If the film uses historical scenes, it is natural that the music should correspond to the period. I think in movies not only the director, but also the composer brings his thoughts to the audience. Another principle is freedom. When I write songs not related to the films, the notes correspond to my thoughts and dreams. I write music on what I see and feel. True, sometimes the listener does not fully understand all that the composer wants to say with his music, but I still compose it on what I see and feel.

I do not agree with it when I am called Mozart of the film industry, because it is too early to express such thoughts. It will take a lot of time to talk about me like that. I try to write more music today and keep up with the times. When I talk about music, I prefer to discuss today's music, and not the music written to specific films, because we write music for today. For this reason, I think it would be also wrong to call me Mozart. If this was said after me, it would be more correct.

I am very happy at the invitation to Azerbaijan. Yes, I spend my 85th birthday in Baku and, like every other, this concert is also important for us. For me, every concert is a celebration. We run a group of 180 people. This is a very important matter. As the concert day is approaching, we are being more worried and are trying to eliminate the shortcomings. And when the concert is successful, it turns us into a double celebration.

True, Hollywood often changes composers, but it is a very delicate issue. Usually musicians working in the orchestra change the written music around 40-50%. They try to adapt the music to their characters.

While writing music, I always consider my thoughts and desires. Do not think that I look at someone, get inspired and write music. No, I only write the kind of music I feel.

I cannot refer to myself as a legendary composer. It would be more appropriate if my audience, the people who love my music, said this about me. Now we have to live in peace, comfort and sincerity, as, however, while writing music. Therefore, such statements as "his name is written in golden letters in the history of music", "Mozart", "legendary composer", in my opinion, are not relevant to the present day. It would be better to assign such epithets in the future. Let's live for today. We will think about tomorrow later.

To my great regret, I have little information about Azerbaijani music. On the other hand, listening to the music of many countries of the world, I could also hear Azerbaijani music, even being unaware of that. I think the impact of the Azerbaijani music on the region is essential. Even though I do not have more information about Azerbaijani music, I am informed about your musical instruments. With these instruments I can identify music that they perform.

In addition, I’d like to note that I am very pleased to be invited to Baku. I hope you all enjoy the concert.

Note that during the concert, organized with the assistance of the Buta Center for Arts, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Italian Embassy in Azerbaijan and with the sponsorship of the companies Fireland Vineyards and Nar Mobile, more than 30 songs by the composer will be performed.

Jamila Ibrahimova

ANN.Az