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 This promo compilation from Marco Werba, released a few years ago, covers five of his scores in the period 1988 to 1995. First out is a 12-minute selection from the award-winning ZOO. This score got a full soundtrack release in 2002, which you can read about here. The score that is represented with the most minutes, however, is A DIO PIACENDO (aka GOD'S WILL) from 1994, approximately 25 minutes. The title theme is a lovely, throbbing chamber piece with solo flute and worldless female vocal. The score is for the most part subdued and delicate, with prominent solo harp and harpschicord, for example. But there are also moments of suspense, like the sustained string chords of "Obsessive Attraction" and "Rape". The selection ends with a 7-minute "Finale" that recaps the themes and develops them further. L'ABBORDAGIO (aka THE PICK-UP), also from 1994, is next. This is a more contemporary score, with a more pronounced synth presence, but retains some of Werba's trademark chamber orchestra sound. The problem here is that it does not really have any pronounced themes, which is OK, had some of the textures been interesting. But they're really not. Perhaps some of the problem stems from the fact that Werba utlilizes a rather cheap synthesizer so some of the "home studio" associations seeps through. The third film from 1994, 103, is represented with three tracks. The title theme is a casual, up-beat melody complemented by a synth guitar that stands in stark contrast to the down-beat, solemn mood of "Death Sentence", which is yet another minor-moded theme purely for the string section. Finally, there are some 17 minutes from the 1995 film LA PREDA (aka THE PREY). The title theme has a similiar down-beat atmosphere to it as the last track of 103, with hints of longing interweaved. This is a thriller score, so there are the obvious element of sustained and tremolo strings (which is the least interesting aspect). It's more interesting when Werba gets to use his "classical"-style skill to develop solemn melodies (with another appearance of the female vocal, for example). Overall, the album showcases Werba's style as idio-syncratic and unique. He has an obvious love of classical chamber music and combines that with certain minimalistic tendencies and a preference for the single, striking melody (often in minor mode). No matter the genre he's working in. And that kind of integrity has to be applauded, even though it comes at the cost of versatility. And that is also the problem with this 70+ minutes album - the same sound can be a little too intense over such a long period, and is probably better served in smaller doses, alternatively mixed with other types of music inbetween.
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BUYING OPTIONS: Album is not available for sale CD INFO: Prod. nr.: MWCD 001 Music composed, orchestrated and conducted by: Marco Werba * performed by Cristina Cimagalli and the Pantheon Chamber Orchestra * * performed by Giuseppe Galli and The Edward Elgar Chamber Orchestra Album produced by: Marco Werba Associate producer: Claudio Fuiano
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Track titles:
Zoo 2. The Chase 1:44 3. Martina's Theme 2:54 4. Suspense 0:52 5. Ratti's Theme 2:00 6. Escape 1:12
7.
End Credits 2:14 9. The House 2:08 10. Alessio's Theme 1:27 11. Remembering / Nightmare 1:55 12. Obsessive Attraction 3:14 13. The Ring 1:20 14. The Dream 1:34 15. Children's Games 1:12 16. Rape 0:54 17. The Death is Coming 1:29 18. Final Sequence and End Credits 7:15
The Pick Up /
L'Abbordagio 20. The Airplane 0:57 21. The Kiss, Robbery and The Run! 1:02 22. The Holy Man 2:04
23.
End Credits 2:48
103 25. The Prison 1:23 26. Death Sentence 3:28
The Pray / La Preda
* * 28. What's in the Basement? 2:40 29. Something is Happening 3:20 30. The Freezer 3:29 31. Love Theme 1:34
32.
End Credits 2:42 |
