Ennio Morricone in Japan (2004)

ENNIO MORRICONE IN JAPAN
Music composed and conducted by Ennio Morricone
Performed by The Roma Sinfonietta
Piano: Gilda Butta
Soprano: Susanna Rigacci
Voice: Dulce Pontes
June 4, 2004
Tokyo International Forum Hall A
Tokyo, Japan

PART 1: CONCERT REPORT

Surprisingly, 2004 marked the year Ennio Morricone conducted his first ever concert in Japan. And to many of his devoted Japanese fans, it also marked the long-awaited arrival of their (musical) God.

As my Japanese skills were pretty basic at the time, I couldn’t get much information about the concert so I wasn’t really aware of the significance of this historic event. But I found out pretty quickly when I arrived at Tokyo International Forum Hall and saw people holding framed headshots of Morricone and posing in front of the hall as if they were venerating a God or important religious figure that had passed away.

Luckily, Morricone was alive and well and gave the concert of a lifetime.

In a real power move, Morricone kicked off the evening with his recently composed theme for the celebrated Japanese TV drama, MUSASHI – not a common choice for his concerts in Europe at the time, but no doubt done to appease the Japanese audience.

This was followed by over two hours of Morricone’s greatest and most beloved hits from the movies.

For the first section, “La Vita e la Leggenda,” Gilda Butta took to the piano and cast a wide spell over the audience with her deeply moving performance of “Playing love” from LA LEGGENDA DEL PIANISTA SULL’ OCEANO. This was preceded by a stunning suite of music from C’ERA UNA VOLTA IN AMERICA, with “Deborah’s Theme” being a particular highlight.

The much anticipated “Sergio Leone” section came next, with us immediately donning our imaginary cowboy hats and riding our horses to the badass strains of IL BUONO, IL BRUTTO, IL CATTIVO.

This was soon contrasted by the breathtaking C’ERA UNA VOLTA IL WEST, which was performed with angelic beauty by the one and only Susanna Rigacci. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Following the interval we were treated to a suite from an audience favourite, NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO. Played everywhere from famous Japanese TV commercials to shopping mall elevators, you’d be hard pressed finding anyone that doesn’t know the iconic main title or love theme. Both melodies were gorgeously performed by Gilda Butta on piano with Gianni Oddi on soprano sax. Just lovely.

MALENA was up next, my first time hearing this achingly beautiful theme. The build up with the orchestra leading to the sax and then viola solo was pure ecstasy…

We were then taken through an eclectic selection of Morricone themes starting with LA LUZ PRODIGIOSA and ending with a joyous and uplifting performance of “Abolisson” from QUEMADA. Dulce Pontes also graced the stage during this section for an impassioned performance of SACCO E VANZETTI.

The concert ended with a spectacular suite of music from THE MISSION. Consisting of the pieces “Gabriel’s Oboe,” “The Mission,” and “In Earth as in Heaven,” there really weren’t enough adjectives to describe the music and how deeply it affected us… we were just speechless by the end with tears streaming down our cheeks, our hearts overflowing with emotion. If there is any piece of music that can make us feel like we are in the presence of God, this is most definitely it.

It was a true honor to see one of the most revered composers of all time conduct his own music. Every piece was perfect, and every applause came with the deepest respect and adulation from the audience.

It was sadly also the first and only time I had the privilege of seeing Ennio Morricone conduct live in concert.

Rest in peace dear Maestro.

Your music lives on, forever.

PART 2: CONCERT MERCH

To celebrate this momentous concert, a variety of merch was being sold at the venue. I pretty much bought everything I could afford on my meagre teacher’s salary at the time.

The lavish 96-page program (i.e. mini Morricone encyclopedia!) with photos and notes in Japanese was available in white or black. Inside was a photo of a hand-written note from Morricone about his feelings for Japan.

It roughly translates to the following:

To my dear friends,

I would like to call you all “friends.” I consider the people of the wonderful city of Tokyo and everyone in Japan to be my friends. Although Japan is very far away from Italy, it feels very close to me.

I feel a very strong bond between the people of Japan and us Italians. Although I can’t speak the beautiful Japanese language, I hope that my works will become a common language and allow me to interact with you all. I myself have a deep interest in Japanese culture from ancient times, which is why I feel so close to Japan.

Once you start talking about the wonders of Japan, there is no limit to what you can say, and you will never be able to write about it all.

I would like to wholeheartedly dedicate my concert to the people of Japan, and I am very honored to be able to perform in front of you with the Roma Sinfonietta.

The coolest piece of merch I bought at the venue was a numbered limited edition music box commemorating Morricone’s first ever concert in Japan. It plays the opening bars of the main title to NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO. The music box sold out pretty quickly that day, so is now very rare.

PART 3: NOT MEETING MORRICONE & “LOVE” HOTELS

Like the hundreds of hardcore fans that day, I was hoping to catch Morricone at the end of the concert for an autograph. Because of the way Tokyo International Forum is built, there is no visible stage door or way to find it. That didn’t stop me and a horde of fans waiting around for any glimpse of Morricone to appear, but alas it was not to be.

While waiting, I lost track of the time and realized too late that I had missed the last train home. The next train was just after 5 a.m., so I had to find a place to stay the night.

As I was not familiar with the area around Tokyo International Forum, I decided to catch a train to the nearest station that did I know: Ikebukuro station on the Yamanote line.

When I got to Ikebukuro I was shocked to discover that all business hotels were full, so I had to settle for what was available: a love hotel 🙂

(Google it if you don’t know what that is!)

PART 4: OVER TO YOU

Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?

And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.