Galileo

Soundtrack information:

The eerie and mysterious atmosphere typical of Morricone’s style of music is based on careful study and research of earlier music while keeping avant-garde music styles in mind. The author’s experimental side emerges powerfully with dissonant horn sections accompanied by a choir (Tr.4). This alternates between chants and the hymn “Eresia defunta sia” with the words of the director Cavani (Tr. 2) set to delicate music that varies between romantic and mysterious (Tr. 5). For this CD we used every note recorded on the stereo master tapes of the recording session. We discovered six previously unreleased tracks approved by the composer himself. The result is a polished tribute to the great musical art of Ennio Morricone and the cinema of Liliana Cavani.

Movie synopsis:

Directed in 1968 by Liliana Cavani, Galilei is the story of Galileo Galilei, the Italian physicist who played an important role in the scientific revolution.

Story:

Galileo Galilei (Cusack) is working at the University of Padova as a physics teacher. In the meantime, the ideas of Giordano Bruno (Kaloiancev) and Copernico’s principles on the solar system start to become known and take hold. One day, Galileo receives a rudimentary Holland binocular. He perfects it to the point of being able to see the movement of the stars. Through extensive studies, he begins to understand that the Sun is at the centre of the solar system instead of the Earth. He is called to Rome to explain himself and demonstrate his research. Cardinal Bellarmino (Doicev) and the Pope himself (Vida) ask him to postpone his research because the claims it makes border on heresy. However he continues his research and even publishes a book. This brings a denunciation that leads to Galileo’s arrest and seizure of his works. The scientist is subjected to a series of interrogations before the Inquisition tribunal. Due to fear of torture he signs a solemn recantation of his claims.

Starring:

Cyril Cusack, Gheorghi Kaloiancev, Giulio Brogi, Nevena Kokanova, Maia Dragomanska, Miroslav Mindov, Mila Dimitrova, Paolo Graziosi, Lou Castel, Gheorghi Cerkelov, Piero Vida, Gigi Ballista, Claudio Cassinelli, Nikolaj Doicev, Sergio Fincato, Vittorio Duse, Dante Cleri, Jean Rougel, Marcello Turilli, Giampiero Frondini, Antonio Nediani.