Sounds of Cinecittà (vol. 1) (2024)

The Italian Silver Age was also an incredibly prolific and immensely popular era of film scoring that gave us the likes of Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai, Piero Piccioni, Riz Ortolani, Armando Trovajoli, Stelvio Cipriani, Carlo Rustichelli, Piero Umiliani, Francesco De Masi, Luis Bacalov, Carlo Savina and Guido & Maurizio De Angelis, among many others. The 1960s and ’70s boasted an unmistakable flair for memorable tunes, great thematic variations and scores that could work exceptionally well on an album, away from their respective films. In fact, the large number of great scores tied to barely known movies has become the bane of soundtrack producers as there are so many wonderful scores that go unheard due to the relative obscurity of the pictures or the composers. Even if we were to release three or four titles each month, it would be decades before we could close the book on the great archives of Italian film music.

For this reason, Quartet Records aims to speed up the process and offer it at a reasonable price with its new collection of multi-CD sets dedicated to the Italian Silver Age. The aim of this project is to release rich, thematically connected box sets, each featuring scores that may be a hard sell on their own—but which should be more enticing when given a deluxe “bulk discount.” This first such collection includes a great variety of genres and composers—from marital dramas and comedies through horror and heist movies to the family film VERSO L’AVVENTURA, featuring commercially underrepresented composers such as Daniele Patucchi, Gian Piero Reverberi, Teo Usuelli, Gino Peguri, Romano Mussolini, Carlo Pes, Peppino de Luca, Gregorio García Segura and Fred Bongusto. What all the scores included have in common is a strong romantic and lounge vibe, so characteristic of Italian soundtracks of those years.

Some scores are either previously unreleased or, if there have been any prior digital releases, significantly expanded. Others have only been previously released on LP (CARA SPOSA, EUTANASIA DI UN AMORE, IL DEBITO CONIUGALE) or, like IL DIVORZIO, in an obscure Japanese edition decades ago.

This collection has been produced by Claudio Fuiano and painstakingly mastered by Chris Malone from the original master tapes. The package includes a richly illustrated 28-page full-color booklet with an in-depth essay by the late and much missed Gergely Hubai, who had worked hard on this project for several months. We hope to release more boxes with so many treasures if this initial release does well.

LA RAGAZZOLA (1965)
Music Composed and Conducted by Romano Mussolini
1. La Ragazzola (Titoli) 2:29
2. La Ragazzola (Latin Organ) 1:06
3. La Ragazzola (Nostalgia) 1:49
4. La Ragazzola (Tenerezza e corsa in macchina) 1:51
5. La Ragazzola (Night Club) 3:47
6. La Ragazzola (Passeggiata) 2:31
7. La Ragazzola (Corsa in macchina 2) 1:16
8. La Ragazzola (Con dolcezza) 2:00
9. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–versione disco) 3:06
10. La Ragazzola (Passeggiata 2) 1:15
11. La Ragazzola (Come un sogno) 2:00
12. La Ragazzola (Surf) 1:28
13. La Ragazzola (Vita di provincia) 1:12
14. La Ragazzola (Ballabili) 1:34
15. La Ragazzola (Tristezza)1:44
16. La Ragazzola (Passeggiata 3) 3:18
17. La Ragazzola (Corsa in macchina N°3) 1:17
18. La Ragazzola (Incontro) 1:19
19. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore con piano) 1:43
20. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–finale) 2:00
21. La Ragazzola (Preludio) 0:37
22. La Ragazzola (Suite) 4:57
23. La Ragazzola (Amore di sera) 1:04
24. La Ragazzola (Notturno) 1:30
25. La Ragazzola (Matrimonio) 1:04
26. La Ragazzola (Vita di provincia 2) 2:19
27. La Ragazzola (Vita di provincia 3) 1:34
28. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–ripresa breve) 1:04
29. La Ragazzola (Intimità) 0:56
30. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–piano solo) 1:22
31. La Ragazzola (Surf 2) 2:25
32. La Ragazzola (Vita di provincia 4) 1:18
33. La Ragazzola (Surf 3) 1:20
34. La Ragazzola (Passeggiata 4) 1:24
35. La Ragazzola (Surf 4) 1:11
36. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–piano solo 2) 1:16
37. La Ragazzola (Scherzi) 2:01
38. La Ragazzola (Swingando) 2:03
39. La Ragazzola (Due innamorati) 2:14
40. La Ragazzola (Rivelazione) 0:52
41. La Ragazzola (Tema d’amore–versione lunga) 6:04
Total Disc Time: 79:18

Disc 2
IL TRAPIANTO (1969)
Music Composed by Gregorio García Segura
1. Ricordi, Ricordi (Vocal by I Pyranas) 3:07
2. Il Trapianto (Shake elegante) 2:26
3. Il Trapianto (Atmosfera popolare) 3:12
4. Il Trapianto (Coro swing) 2:11
5. Il Trapianto (Mood criminale) 0:39
6. Il Trapianto (Sacrale beat–senza coro) 1:37
7. Il Trapianto (Atmosfera ballabile) 1:15
8. Il Trapianto (Mood criminale 2) 1:03
9. Il Trapianto (Atmosfera popolare 2) 1:52
10. Il Trapianto (Misterioso) 1:23
11. Il Trapianto (Atmosfera popolare 3) 2:14
12. Il Trapianto (Tensione) 1:05
13. Il Trapianto (Atmosfera popolare 4) 1:16
14. Il Trapianto (Coro swing 2) 1:09
15. Il Trapianto (Suite) 2:30
16. Il Trapianto (Sacrale beat–con coro) 1:39
17. Il Trapianto (Suite 2) 3:50
18. Il Trapianto (Pedinamento) 0:43
19. Il Trapianto (Shake elegante 2) 1:49
20. Il Trapianto (Suite 3) 1:16
21. Il Trapianto (Coro swing 3) 1:10
22. Il Trapianto (Suite 4) 1:05
23. Il Trapianto (Finale) 0:56

CARA SPOSA (1969)
Music Composed by Stelvio Cipriani* and Daniele Patucchi**
24. Tema di Alfonso* 2:02
25. Alfredo è Adelina** 1:56
26. Arrivo al Motel* 1:59
27. Adelina e Pasqualino** 1:42
28. …Sorridi, Adelina!** 0:43
29. Mi riprendo mio figlio* 2:45
30. Caffe’ Nero** 2:33
31. Ritorno a casa** 1:20
32. Pioggia in periferia* 1:30
33. Sono l’amante di mia moglia** 2:35
34. Tema d’amore** 3:41
35. Un regalo per Pasqualino* 1:32
36. Pizzi, Trine e Binocolo** 1:56
37. King, King* 2:03
38. Mazurca, valzer e Pasqualino** 2:45
39. Alfredo e Pasqualino* 1:25
40. Mi riprendo mia moglie** 1:10
41. Alfredo, Salomone e il Grimaldello* 2:43
42. Alfredo, Adelinae Pasqualino* 2:22
Conducted by Daniele Patucchi
Total Disc Time: 79:20

Disc 3
UNA JENA IN CASSAFORTE (1968)
Music Composed and Conducted by Gian Piero Reverberi
1. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Titoli) 4:19
2. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Il grande colpo) 4:31
3. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Suspense) 2:32
4. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Attesa psichedelica) 4:54
5. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Tema titoli ripresa) 1:15
6. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Fiabesco) 3:24
7. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Atmosfera criminale) 4:38
8. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Tema titoli 2) 1:14
9. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Piani per una rapina) 3:10
10. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Finale) 2:03
11. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Atmosfera criminale 2) 7:25
12. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Piano suspense) 2:39
13. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Il grande colpo 2) 3:45
14. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Galassia) 3:24
15. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Il grande colpo 3) 1:53
16. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Ombre) 2:01
17. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Tealtà urbana) 2:06
18. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Ombre 2) 1:15
19. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Piano suspence 2) 4:00
20. Una Jena In Cassaforte (Atmosfera criminale 3) 3:09
Total Disc Time: 64:56

Disc 4
IL DIVORZIO (1970)
Music Composed by Fred Bongusto
1. Il Divorzio (Titoli) 2:09
2. Il Divorzio (Party Music) 2:09
3. Il Divorzio (Love Theme) 4:10
4. Il Divorzio (Party Music 2) 1:48
5. Il Divorzio (Vecchio piano) 1:39
6. Il Divorzio (Party Music 3) 1:41
7. Il Divorzio (Bossa organo) 1:15
8. Il Divorzio (Love Theme 2) 1:59
9. Il Divorzio (Party Music 4) 3:05
10. Il Divorzio (Tema principale reprise) 2:25
11. Il Divorzio (Nostalgico organo) 2:25
12. Il Divorzio (Party Music 5) 1:20
13. Il Divorzio (Sweet Bossa) 1:25
14. Il Divorzio (Love Theme 3) 2:26
15. Il Divorzio (Bossa organo 2) 1:58
16. Il Divorzio (Love Theme 4) 3:59
17. Il Divorzio (Party Music 6) 1:45
18. Il Divorzio (Finale) 2:27
19. A Thousand Diamonds on the Sea 2:55

EUTANASIA DI UN AMORE (1978)
Music Composed and Conducted by Daniele Patucchi
20. Eutanasia di un amore 4:52
21. Minuetto 2:03
22. Corsa in automobile 2:04
23. Mazurka 1:50
24. Aspettando Sena 1:51
25. Per Elisa al Caffe Concerto 3:19
26. Abendrot 1:24
27. Tema di Paolo 3:12
28. Addio alla stazione 5:09
29. Shake in piazza 1:56
30. Versailles e Malattie 2:19
31. Valzerino 1:12
32. Finale 2:57
Total Disc Time: 78:27

Disc 5
IL PRATO MACCHIATO DI ROSSO (1973)
Music Composed and Conducted by Teo Usuelli
1. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Strumentale) 2:07
2. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Tribale) 1:51
3. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Shake) 3:52
4. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Corale) 2:37
5. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Tribale 2) 2:16
6. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Barocco)1:10
7. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Tribale 3) 1:16
8. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Sensuale) 3:19
9. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Infantile) 0:58
10. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Lounge) 2:04
11. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Barocco 2) 1:09
12. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Corale 2) 2:36
13. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Nostalgico) 1:39
14. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Shake 2) 2:21
15. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Mistico) 0:47
16. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Strumentale 2)1:57
17. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Lounge 2)1:46
18. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Suite) 3:52
19. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Corale 3) 2:37
20. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Strumentale 3) 0:43
21. Il Prato Macchiato di Rosso (Corale 4) 2:36

IL DEBITO CONIUGALE (1970)
Music Composed by Peppino De Luca and Carlo Pes
22. Beat al Sud 2:14
23. Shoppin’ 2:01
24. Quella sera a Piazza Navona 1:56
25. Slow Down 2:28
26. Salmo 1970 2:41
27. Hot Dog 1:23
28. Middle Sound 2:55
29. Brick 0:19
30. Cowboy Party 2:05
31. Just Be Mine 3:46
32. Ballata per un flauto 1:07
33. Palme 1:10
34. Costa Smeralda 2:02
35. A un passo dai lingotti 2:58
36. There’s a River 2:47
Total Disc Time: 77:18

Disc 6
VERSO L’AVVENTURA (1970)
Original TV Soundtrack
Music Composed and Conducted by Gino Peguri
1. Verso l’avventura 2:29
2. Mebratù 1:55
3. I ragazzi di Speedy 1:37
4. Caccia nel deserto 1:39
5. Mebratù (2) 2:52
6. Boy Scouts 1:25
7. In viaggio 3:34
8. Mebratù (3) 4:10
9. Verso l’avventura 2 2:43
10. Mebratù (4) 1:47
11. Alba sul mare 0:46
12. Dum Dum 1:50
13. L’addio a Mebratù 1:40
14. Speedy 2:03
15. Mebratù (5) 1:32
16. Verso l’avventura (3) 2:07
17. In viaggio (2) 1:48
18. Verso l’avventura (4) 4:41
19. Verso l’avventura (5) 4:18
20. In viaggio 3 2:18
21. Verso l’avventura (6) 2:12
22. Dum Dum (2) 1:18
23. In viaggio (4) 2:21
24. Caccia nel deserto (2) 1:03
25. Mebratù (6) 1:25
26. Verso l’avventura (7) 2:04
27. In viaggio (5) 3:45
28. Alba sul mare 2 2:21
29. I ragazzi di Speedy (2) 1:57
30. Alba sul mare (3) 2:10
31. Verso l’avventura (8) 2:27
32. Speedy (2) 1:18
33. In viaggio (6) 2:17
34. Speedy (3) 1:38
35. Verso l’avventura (9) 1:40
36. Speedy (4) 1:19
Total Disc Time: 78:45

Not just him.

On Youtube - and even in the film´s main title credits - the song "Ricordi--ricordi" is credited to Rustichelli and the uploader writes that the Spanish composer Gregorio Garcia Segura was only named for contractual reasons in the film and that the complete score had in fact been written by Rustichelli:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9qRiWPiPKA

When I listen to the sound clips on the Quartet website, it seems to me that at least partly this should be true: The beginning of Track 6 "Sacral beat" is unmistakeably by Rustichelli and by no one else and also for example track 14 "Coro swing" has some typical Rustichelli trademarks which are easily identifiable.

Wow, Lokutus. Just wow.

This looks like an amazing grab bag bargain of a set premiering so many obscure scores on CD. I’m not sure we’ve gotten anything remotely like this since LLL’s Paramount Western set. It’s like the Lukas Kendall philosophy (i.e. TV Omnibus, MGM Treasury, all those western sets) is back and I love it!

Yavar

Let's say that 80% of the score was composed by Rustichelli (who was only credited on the song) and 20% by García Segura. But all this is clearly explained in the liner notes.

Jose

I won't hold my breath for an American version.

Mikael, I don´t think that this "Deguello" track will be on the Quartet CD as it has quite obviously not been composed for IL TRAPIANTO, but has just been recycled from Rustichell´s former 1964 score SEDOTTA E ABBANDONATA where it was the track "Alla deguello" and was a kind of conscious parody of the Tiomkin music.
You can listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6BRn9et0TA&list=OLAK5uy_nFTGfBXVHuV4jv8Pd8Q1KxMWWXAgT8DcU&index=9

Your opinion.....

Italian cinema is the most wonderful, versatile, human, real, expressive, dramatic.

Its place is at the pantheon of movie industry, and its technicians are top professionals.

This is another labor of love from Quartet so we must be VERY grateful for that.

We need more italian obessions !

Remarkable work of preservation of Italian film music.

thanks Quartet !

Let's say that 80% of the score was composed by Rustichelli (who was only credited on the song) and 20% by García Segura. But all this is clearly explained in the liner notes.

Jose

Okay, thank you for clarifying, Jose.

Mikael, I don´t think that this "Deguello" track will be on the Quartet CD as it has quite obviously not been composed for IL TRAPIANTO, but has just been recycled from Rustichell´s former 1964 score SEDOTTA E ABBANDONATA where it was the track "Alla deguello" and was a kind of conscious parody of the Tiomkin music.
You can listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6BRn9et0TA&list=OLAK5uy_nFTGfBXVHuV4jv8Pd8Q1KxMWWXAgT8DcU&index=9

Yes indeed, you're right Stefan, thanks for the info. I do have Sedotta e Abbandonata on CD but it's been a while since since I listened to it. I had completely forgotten about this track.

By the way, I have just noticed that a part of the "Dicerie" track from SEDOTTA E ABBANDONATA is even reused twice in the TRAPIANTO movie (at 1:20:36 and at 1:30:07 in the Youtube version).

I hope these ones make it to the next volumes as only the low-quality MP3-like versions can be found on Itunes.

Nico Fidenco - 1971 - La Strana Legge del Dottor Menga
Nicola Piovani - 1972 - Sbatti Il Mostro In Prima Pagina
Peppino de Luca - 1966 - Francesco d'Assisi
Nico Fidenco - 1978 - Cugine Mie
Renzo Rossellini - 1965 - La Donna del Lago
Ruggero Cini - 1979 - Martin Eden
Gino Peguri - Due Vite Violente / Polizia Selvaggia

And patently await further volumes

THANK YOU!!!!