HISTORY & SURVEY OF FILM MUSIC

Nino Rota

(1911 - 1979)

1952 The White Sheik

1954 La Strada

1960 La Dolce Vita

1963 8 1/2

1968 Romeo & Juliet

1972 The Godfather

1973 Amarcord

1974 The Godfather Part II

Rota was an Italian composer most known for his scores to films by Italian film maker Federico Fellini. Among American films, The Godfather and The Godfather Part II stand out, with the score to The Godfather Part II winning the Oscar in 1975. Working primarily in Italy, he produced more than 150 film scores over a period of 44 years. He also composed music for ten operas and five ballets.

The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s film, based on the Mario Puzo film, romanticizes the life of a New York crime family from Sicily. Nino Rota’s lush score provides deep cultural roots to the film, emphasizing a tradition of love and family, set against an environment of fear and violence.

The Godfather (1972) - Michael in Sicily