As Scarlatti would cross himself respectfully whenever people mentioned his hero Haendel, James Hetfield of Metallica is inspired by maestro Ennio Morricone. Today's New York Times carries the news -- previous Opera Chic posts here and here -- of the baffling Morricone tribute cd (Sony Classical) with artists such as Renee Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Metallica. Here's what the metallic rock composer from California has to say about Morricone:
“To me his music is just absolutely inspirational, corny as that may sound (...) He has taken so many risks, and his music is not polished whatsoever. It’s very rude and blatant. All of a sudden a Mexican horn will come blasting through and just take over the melody. It’s just so raw, really raw, and it feels real, unpolished. You hear mistakes in it, and that’s just great — if they are mistakes. Who knows? There’s so much character in it, and I appreciate that in such a polished world of soundtracks.”
Who knows, indeed. Coming soon: Morricone gangsta rap tribute album.
PS Priceless correction appended at the end of the NYT story: An article on the front page of Arts & Leisure today about the composer Ennio Morricone incorrectly lists Enya among the performers on a tribute album to be released in February, “We All Love Ennio Morricone.” She does not appear on the album.
Dang!