Ennio Morricone

Edition of 350. Built from three episodes, Stato Interessante turns on the experiences of women facing pregnancy and abortion in an Italy on the edge of profound change, the country's debate over reproductive rights reaching its height in the months before the 1978 law. Nasca, working from a script co-written with Maurizio Costanzo, frames intimate character study against broader social observation, with a cast including Janet Agren, Monica Guerritore, Duilio Del Prete and Turi Ferro.

Morricone answered it with a lyrical, emotionally nuanced score that sits far from the experimental edge of much of his work in these same years. Delicate orchestral writing, graceful thematic development and a deep sense of intimacy carry the music, which unfolds with restraint across themes like Per Annabella, Mezza Luce and Controluce. The recurring È mejo de morì che restà qui appears in both instrumental and vocal forms, the latter sung in Roman dialect, and the writing throughout catches the hopes and uncertainties of the film's protagonists without ever overstating them.

Less familiar than the celebrated soundtracks, Stato Interessante rewards the listener who comes to it fresh, sitting comfortably among Morricone's finest dramatic writing of the decade. Originally produced by Claudio Fuiano and Dániel Winkler, presented from the best available stereo sources and mastered by Chris Malone, with liner notes by Miguel Ángel Ordóñez. Released by Quartet Records with GDM and Universal Music Publishing Italy.

A graceful, deeply felt score restored to its full beauty. Limited to 350 copies and not to be missed.

Original soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Film: Stato Interessante (Sergio Nasca, 1977). Produced by Claudio Fuiano and Dániel Winkler from the best available stereo sources; mastered by Chris Malone. Liner notes by Miguel Ángel Ordóñez.