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When it comes to movie soundtracks, there’s always something extremely personal and subjective about it. Cinema music undoubtedly has the power to evoke deep emotions, and every viewer will have his own preferences. This is my selection, of course incomplete and dictated by memories, sensations, and artistic choices that have particularly struck me. But these five soundtracks, in my opinion, are among the most poetic and evocative in the history of cinema.

1. Once Upon a Time in America – Ennio Morricone
The soundtrack of Once Upon a Time in America is a true sonic masterpiece, capable of amplifying the visual narrative and giving it a unique emotional depth. Morricone’s music transforms Sergio Leone’s film into a Greek epic, evoking the passage of time, unbreakable bonds, but also betrayal and loneliness. Every theme seems to bridge memory and the present, immersing the viewer in a sea of nostalgia and passion that emanates from every note.

2. Il Postino – Luis Bacalov
A heartbreaking and delicate piece of music, seemingly bidding us farewell, as if it were a sweet and melancholic goodbye. Bacalov, for Michael Radford’s Il Postino, wrote one of the most touching and intimate soundtracks in cinema. His melody evokes the world of the island and poetry, framing the love story between the postman and the woman he loves, but also reflecting on the beauty of life and its fleeting nature. The sadness that permeates his notes is tinged with a sense of abandonment and hope, touching the heart every time we listen to it.

3. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg – Michel Legrand
The music for Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, directed by Jacques Demy, is among the most refined ever written for a film. Michel Legrand manages to intertwine the elegance of French music with the sweetness of a love story that seems destined not to be. Every note is a wave that envelops and reassures, yet also slightly hurts, accompanying the tale of a youthful love that defies fate. The soft orchestrations and timeless melodies give a sense of nostalgia and eternal beauty to one of the most poetic stories in cinema.

4. Eyes Wide Shut – Various Composers
In Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick chooses a soundtrack made up of non-original pieces, yet these have become, for many, inextricably linked to the film’s imagery. The choice of Ligeti and Shostakovich is perfect: the “Musica Ricercata” with its slow and ominous rhythm creates a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere, guiding us into a nocturnal world filled with obsessions and suspicions. The waltz from Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite, almost in contrast, evokes the daily normalcy of a couple but also the fragile appearance of a bourgeois life that hides inner torment. Each piece becomes a symbol of a different dimension, a different face of the same reality.

5. Pensavo fosse amore… invece era un calesse – Pino Daniele
The melancholic and passionate “Quando” by Pino Daniele, written for the film Pensavo fosse amore… invece era un calesse, is a piece that strikes deeply. The song tells of love in all its nuances: passion, disappointment, and sadness. The music almost becomes the inner voice of the protagonist, a bitter awareness of how love can take unexpected, painful, but also liberating turns. The simplicity and intensity of the piece express a feeling of abandonment, but also redemption, while Troisi’s film touches on universal and personal chords.

 

Each of these soundtracks is a reflection on the human condition, its dreams, pains, and hopes. Music, like cinema, is capable of crossing time and space, making stories and emotions universal, and allowing us to feel, even for just a moment, closer to our soul

I’ve always wondered how music can truly be defined. Even as a teenager, reading theory books, I often came across that simple yet, in my view, empty definition: “Music is the art of sounds.”

But what does that really mean? It’s a phrase that says nothing. By the same logic, would painting be “the art of colors”? Just as meaningless. And what does art even mean? If defining music requires first defining what art is, then the definition becomes a maze of words without any real substance.

A simple melody, yet so true

Imagine this scene: a child humming three simple notes—those universal sounds we all know from Ring-aring o’Roses—G, G, E, A, G, E (three notes, with G repeated three times: the magic and perfection of the number three).

In that moment, the child is undeniably making music. Yet, it would be a stretch to call him or her an artist. It’s clear that, in that spontaneous and innocent gesture, there’s no intention of creating art. So, can we really say that music is just the art of sounds?

Alma: the word that nourishes

This is where a beautiful Latin word comes to mind: “alma”, from the verb alere, meaning to nourish, to help grow. Like in “alma mater”, the mother who nurtures and supports.

And this is exactly how I see music: as nourishment for the spirit.
Music restores, gives energy, can inspire battle with the blare of trumpets, or, on the contrary, heal conflicts—both within us and around us. It can accompany work, support study, enhance focus, or guide meditation and rest.

Alma musica: the true essence of music

For all these reasons, I believe calling it simply “the art of sounds” doesn’t do justice to its true nature. Music is much more: it is nourishment, energy, and connection.

Music is much more than just a sequence of notes—it is a journey through time. Each musical piece unfolds moment by moment, and our brain perceives it progressively. But what determines our engagement when we listen to a piece for the first time? The answer lies in our ability to perceive the form of a composition, which is closely linked to musical memory.

Music and Memory: A Sonic Puzzle

Imagine a puzzle: we cannot see the full picture until all the pieces are in place. Music works the same way. Since it unfolds over time, we cannot grasp it all at once like a painting or a sculpture. The musical form comes to life as we listen, piece by piece, until it reveals its complete design.

One of the key elements in understanding a composition is repetition. When a musical theme returns after a period of absence, our brain recognizes it and connects it to what we have already heard. Without this mechanism, music would be a continuous flow without reference points, making the listening experience less engaging.

The Importance of Repetition in Music

A piece without repetition might create disorientation, just as obsessive repetition could bore the listener. The secret to musical beauty lies in the right balance between novelty and familiarity.

When we listen to a piece for the first time, we experience pleasure in recognizing a motif that reappears. This sensation allows us to participate actively in the listening process, forging a connection between composer and listener.

Predictability and Surprise: The Magic of Music

Every composer plays with expectations and returns, with variations and repetitions, creating a balance between surprise and predictability. While surprise is an essential element in music, predictability also plays a crucial role.

When we hear a musical progression (a motif repeated at different pitches within a scale), we feel a sense of satisfaction. For a moment, we become part of the creative process, almost as if we were composing the piece alongside the author. This phenomenon explains why we sometimes start humming a melody even before fully knowing it.

Active Listening: The Listener as Co-Creator

Listening to music is far more than a passive act. Through memory and perception, we form connections with melodies, anticipate their development, and actively participate in the musical experience.

Next time you listen to a piece, try to notice how your brain recognizes motifs and repetitions—you might be surprised at how much your mind is an integral part of the music itself!