"After 10 seconds of film music, we know it's hers [that of Ennio Morricone], what film it is, we see the images". The words of Jean-Michel Jarre, French songwriter largely inspired by the Italian maestro, sums up the imprint that Ennio Moricone leaves behind with his some 500 music for film and television.

The most memorable composition will undoubtedly remain the haunting harmonica tune played by Charles Bronson in "Il est une fois dans l'Ouest" (1968), directed by Sergio Leone, his childhood friend. (Listen to the video below, at 9:47 a.m.)

Their collaboration began two years earlier. To recreate the universe of the American wild west, Ennio Morricone combines a few drums and flute notes. A melody that has become emblematic, marked by the cry of the coyote found in the spaghetti western "The good, the bad and the ugly" (1966).

The soundtrack also includes the famous song Ecstasy of Gold, which will be played by Metallica at numerous concerts.

But his work is not limited to the six westerns of Sergio Leone, all of which have become legendary. In France, the greatest success is called Chi Mai. This violin melody has been used in several feature films, such as "The Professional", with Jean-Paul Belmondo in 1981, which earned him the same year a Caesar and a gold record. This piece also accompanies series and even advertisements, as for the dog food brand Royal Canin in 1986 and 1991.

His music for "Mission" (Palme d'Or at Cannes 1986) is one of his favorite songs. Ennio Morricone will also confess his disappointment at not having received an Oscar for this soundtrack inspired by both church songs and tribal rhythms. Above all, it marks a turning point in her career, towards more lyrical notes.

The maestro also tackles the gangster film, especially in 1987 with "Les Incorruptibles" by Brian de Palma - the beginning of a collaboration that will last fifteen years. The opportunity for him to work on musical atmospheres, where death resonates with each song.

Ennio Morricone was also a great romantic and proves it with his poignant composition for "Cinema Paradiso" (1988), a story of nostalgia and cinema in picturesque Italy in the 1980s.

For Ennio Morricone's most addicted, a package of 4 CDs and 1 vinyl, grouping together part of the artist's work ("For a handful of dollars", "And for a few dollars more", "The good , the brute and the ugly "," Once upon a time in the West "on the Leone side and the" Huit Salopards ") will be available this weekend in France. An outing planned well before the composer goes out.

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