Alhambra: A.F. Lavagnino´s BEATRICE CENCI

[Stefan Schlegel]

Alhambra Records proudly presents on this CD the world premiere release of Angelo Francesco Lavagnino’s complete original score for the 1969 historical drama BEATRICE CENCI which was directed by Lucio Fulci – who later on would reach cult status through his horror movies - and had an international cast with the American actress Adrienne La Russa as Beatrice Cenci, the Italian Tomas Milian as her servant and lover Olimpio and the French actor Georges Wilson as powerful and ruthless patriarch Francesco Cenci.
Beatrice Cenci (1577-1599) had been a member of a prominent and wealthy Roman family in the late 16th century known for her tragic life story that has captivated audiences through history. Her father Francesco Cenci was a cruel tyrant who was hated by everyone including his own family, especially Beatrice whom he placed in solitary confinement for deciding to become a nun. He was even rumoured to have repeatedly raped her. Due to this abusive treatment, Beatrice persuaded two servants to help her murder Francesco. This act resulted in a highly publicized trial in which Beatrice, her stepmother and her brother were sentenced to death, provoking widespread sympathy among the Roman populace.
In 1969 Fulci´s picture was already the fourth film version of this famous story and in contrast to the previous adaptations he follows the historical events of Beatrice´s life very closely, but uses a quite unconventional non-linear storyline. With the help of some stylish camera work, lush sets and costumes he quite convincingly evokes the harsh 16th century setting and mercilessly attacks the abuse of power as well as the corruption of the Catholic Church.
As the singer-songwriter and actor Silvano Spadaccino also received an official credit as co-composer in the film´s main title, till now there has always been some confusion as to who wrote what for this movie. However, Spadaccino and his folk group I Cantastorie were only responsible for the a cappella consolation chants – based on Italian folk songs of the medieval period – which are heard during the film´s prison scenes and for a few tavern songs. Nothing of this music can be heard on our CD as the tapes which we have had at our disposal contain only Lavagnino´s own music. It consists of  all the instrumental tracks in the film and of two religious a cappella choir cues (In the Garden/The Pope`s Room).
Lavagnino has written a rather intimate score for a medium-sized orchestra which for the most part is an elegy for the tragic fate of the heroine Beatrice Cenci. The beautiful plaintive main theme with its slight Renaissance flavour – due to the use of typical instruments of the period like lute and harpsichord – immediately grabs the attention of the listener and makes it clear where the sympathies of the composer lie. The musical highlight of the score certainly are the torture scenes for which Lavagnino reserved his most extensive symphonic elaboration of the Beatrice Cenci tune interweaved with an even sadder theme with his characteristic use of the high strings and the solo viola.
On the other hand, all the musical sequences involving the patriarch Francesco Cenci are infused with a doom-laden brooding bass motif of four notes which seems to suffocate everything just as the cruel tyrant humiliates everyone around him. Besides, Lavagnino has written an agitated musical hunt which resembleses a devilish dance (On the Run) and some festive brass music for the arrival of the Cardinal Lanciani at the Cenci fortress (The Cardinal Arrives).
This wonderful CD project – the 18th CD in our Lavagnino series – has only been possible thanks to the generous support of the three daughters of the composer – Bianca, Iudica and Alessandra Lavagnino -, who still had open reel tape copies of the original master tapes in their personal archive which we were allowed to use. Our CD edition which contains a 16-page booklet with extensive liner notes and numerous colour stills from the two movies is limited to 400 copies.

The CD is now in stock at Alhambra and can be pre-ordered at SAE and at the other European dealers during the next few days.

Track listing:

01.  Main Theme 0:40
02. Return to Rocca di Petrella 2:01
03. Secret Meeting 2:24
04. The Cardinal Arrives 1:02
05. The Discovery 0:56
06. On the Run 2:25
07.  Beatrice and Olimpio (Love Scene) 2:07
08. Preparations for the Murder – The Murder 5:02
09. The Confrontation 2:25
10. Beatrice Is Led Away 1:43
11.  Beatrice Gets Tortured – The Confession 3:54
12. The Black Dress 1:54
13. The Pope´s Room 1:09
14. Finale – End Cast 1:41

Bonus Tracks:
15. In the Garden (Choir Rehearsal) 1:10
16. Secret Meeting (Alternate Track) 2:25
17. Beatrice and Olimpio (Alternate Track) 1:52

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