Composed by Ennio Morricone
- Image Music 0195252IMA / 2009 / 65:42
Resolution 819 was one of the UN’s (rather limp) calls for a ceasefire in Bosnia-Herzegovena during the conflict that engulfed the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, and this Italian film is about the most flagrant violation of it, the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. It focuses in particular on the subsequent investigation of the genocide.As you might imagine, the music isn’t the most cheerful thing you’re likely to hear this year, but given that its composer is Ennio Morricone, it is of course of interest. The first thing to note is the magnificent opening piece, “Un Canto di Speranza”, a wonderful demonstration of Morricone’s gift at musically depicting pride, determination and hope even amongst the bleakest of backdrops. I haven’t seen the film, but it’s not hard to imagine this working stunningly well alongside the images.
There is extreme beauty to be found elsewhere in the score, too. Of course, it’s not Cinema Paradiso-style beauty – it’s beauty borne of dogged determination and superhuman courage. “Clara” is a stunning piece, Morricone again managing to accentuate both light and dark within the same four minutes. And, while large parts of the score are more despair than courage (particularly in its second half), it remains – perhaps surprisingly – melodic throughout. Yes, it’s exceptionally dark, but never unlistenable. A solo vocalist (Miriam Megnaghi) adds a real human connection to some of the score’s bleakest moments. This certainly isn’t an album you’re going to stick on all that often, but it’s impossible to listen to this and not be affected by Morricone’s skill in coming up with something so touching without being even vaguely sentimental. ****
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