Mario Nascimbene (The Vikings, The Barefoot Contessa, Barabbas, Solomon and Sheba) is one of the most memorable maestros from the Golden and Silver Ages of Italian film music. This November, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth (Nov. 28, 1913) with the world premiere release of one of his most wonderful scores: La ragazza con la valigia (aka Girl with a Suitcase, 1960).
Directed by Valerio Zurlini (whose successful professional relationship with Nascimbene included Estate violenta, Le Soldatesse and La prima notte di quiete), La ragazza starred Claudia Cardinale and Jacques Perrin. Shot in glorious black-and-white by Tino Santoni, the film is a romantic melodrama, remembered as one of the most iconic Italian films of the period.
Nascimbene wrote a classy, bittersweet score dominated by the unforgettable and sad Aida’s Theme and the nostalgic Lorenzo’s Theme. The full score was conceived for a small chamber ensemble (a “black-and-white” music) – with such guest soloists as Mario Gangi (guitar) and Bruno Nicolai (harpsichord). Nascimbene composed several source cues, including an adaptation of the popular “Degüello” by Dimitri Tiomkin.
The composer selected six cues for a 45 RPM extended-play disc that was never released. These appeared three decades later on CD in a compilation from CAM, along with short selections from Estate violenta and Morte di un amico. This is the first time that the complete score of La ragazza con la valigia has been released in any form, mastered by Claudio Fuiano from the 2-track mono sessions, courtesy of Gruppo Sugar. The richly illustrated booklet includes liner notes by Miguel A. Barroso.
Tracklist
THE UNRELEASED 45 RPM EXTENDED PLAY
1. Incontro con Aida (Titoli di Testa) (1:32)
2. Incontro con Aida (1:17)
3. Bagno Nero (1:01)
4. Rivelazione (0:58)
5. Incontro Sulla Spiaggia (1:45)
6. Incontro con Aida (Finale) (1:16)
THE COMPLETE FILM SCORE
7. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.1- Titoli di Testa) (1:34)
8. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.2) (2:16)
9. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.3) (1:28)
10. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.4) (1:55)
11. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.5) (1:18)
12. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.6) (4:01)
13. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.7) (1:08)
14. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.8) (1:23)
15. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.9) (3:37)
16. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.10) (1:45)
17. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.11) (1:34)
18. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.12) (2:35)
19. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.13) (2:23)
20. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.14) (2:42)
21. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.15) (2:52)
22. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.16) (1:13)
23. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.17) (1:02)
24. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.18 – Mambo) (2:15)
25. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.19 – Deguello)* (3:02)
26. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.20) (2:31)
27. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.21) (0:46)
28. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.22) (0:59)
29. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.23 – Rock) (1:24)
30. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.24) (1:54)
31. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.25) (1:45)
32. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.26) (0:55)
33. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.27) (2:25)
34. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.28) (1:17)
35. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.29 – Finale) (1:34)
Bonus Tracks
36. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq. 30 – Deguello Base)* (3:02)
37. La Ragazza con la Valigia (Seq.31 – Deguello Mix stereo)* (3:01)
- * Composed by Dimitri Tiomkin
- Arranged by Mario Nascimbene
