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.
Films by Luis Bacalov:
- Catch as Catch Can
- Django - with electric guitar for this Spaghetti Western
- 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
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
