Luis Bacalov - The composer

Luis Enriquez Bacalov was born in Argentina and now lives and works in Italy. He has composed the music for numerous Italian language films, including some early Spaghetti Westerns where he followed the work of Ennio Morricone. He is also an accomplished pianist and has recorded some of the classical piano works of Nino Rota. Although it was released with subtitles, the composer's academy award-winning music for "Il Postino" (The Postman) put his work firmly on the map as far as English-speaking countries are concerned. The score has more or less one single theme. Yet arranged for different instrumental groupings (with accordian often playing a central role) and with a varied accompaniment it always seems fresh and new, a thoughtful comment on the touching story of the postman. In a way this style of film-making and music is reminiscent of Morricone's music for "Cinema Paradiso" or Nicola Piovani's "Life is Beautiful", and refreshingly far removed from the standard offerings frequently emerging from Hollywood. Another film score by Bacalov in a similar vein is "The Love Letter" which has a great Tango theme.

Along with Morricone, Bacalov has had some of his music used by Tarantino on the "Kill Bill" films, including his music from "The Grand Duel" and "Summertime Killer". The recent "Sea of Dreams" is very dreamy with pan-pipes and slow melodies like some of Morricone, though it has similar Mediterranean instrumental references to "Il Postino". There are some some vocals and moment of darkness, but the majority of this score could be described as pleasant and beautiful.

Films by Luis Bacalov:

• Catch as Catch Can
• Django - with electric guitar for this Spaghetti Western
• Summertime Killer - sharing the music credits with Sergio Bardotti
• The Grand Duel - again sharing with Sergio Bardotti in this Western starring Lee Van Cleef
• The Red Rose
• Loaded Guns
• Sugar Colt - and another Western soundtrack
• Deceptions
• La Tregua - (The Truce)
• La Citta delle Donne - (City of Women)
• Leonardo's Dream
• Il Postino - delicate music reflecting a simple life yet full of character and pathos
• The Love Letter - some equally delicate music with harp, mandolin and accordian and a witty tango
• The Children of the Century
• Il Cielo Cade - (The Sky Falls)
• It Had to be You
• Woman on Top
• Sea of Dreams - highly recommended and a complete contrast to his early music for Westerns

Recommendations:

The following examples are good examples of soundtracks available by Luis Bacalov:

• Il Postino (The Postman) - from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• The Love Letter - from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Sea of Dreams - from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com