EL CISCO

Digitmovies continues its journey of exploring the wide Italian Western field releasing for the first time the original soundtrack from the 1966 movie “El Cisco” (starring William Berger) composed and conducted by Bruno Nicolai. Until today not a single note from this soundtrack has been issued, so we have to thank this important discovery to the Edipan Archives where the original mastertapes were located. The mastertapes were not only in particularly good condition, but were also recorded in splendid stereo sound. M° Nicolai composed a symphonic score which alternates quiet pastoral moments to other violent very dramatic and dissonant ones given by powerful brass and percussions, incorporating the classical elements of both the Italian and American Westerns. After a dissonant jew's harp flourished string-introduction (jew’s harp is a very often used instrument here), the “El Cisco” motif appears for the first time in tr.1. This epic theme was written in the style of Deguello for trumpet solo, accompanied by orchestra and choir. It is reprised later in tr.6,9,10,17 breaking the atmosphere of mysticism and violence as musically described by tracks 2,3,7,14,15 and many other ones. The famous harmonica of Franco De Gemini appears in tr. 2,5,12,16 and 18. Bruno Nicolai also composed a sweet and evocative love theme for guitar and strings (tr.13), later reprised in tr.21, while the ethnic side was characterized by a slow Mexican Mariachi tune for guitar solo (tr.25). For this world premier CD release every note recorded in the 1966 stereo master tapes was used; certain sound defects (magnetic anomalies etc.) present on the original analog source can persist despite of the digital remastering. Limited edition compact disc - 8 full colour pages de-luxe booklet.