CD REVIEW - URSUS NELLA TERRA DI FUOCO


Ursus nella Terra di Fuoco
Music by Carlo Savina
Digitmovies CDDM129 (Italy)
33 Tracks 60:28 mins

Previously only released as 10 tracks in a collection of music from the Ursus film series, Digitmovies has uncovered the complete stereo masters of the original recording sessions of this score by Carlo Savina, plus a further eight "lost" tracks (with the help of Stefan Schlegel) for the third in the series of Ursus films starring Ed Fury. Known by the English language title of "Ursus in the Land of Fire," the 1963 film was directed by Giorgio Simonelli.
Carlo Savina's score, like the film's star, is suitably muscular and gets away to a dark, menacing start in the opening track (there are no track titles), with barbaric horns and wild percussion. More dramatic and powerful writing can be heard in track 2, though a soaring, passionate string theme emerges at its climax, and continues in track 3, which turns somewhat mystical with expressive harp runs. A tragic feel opens track 4, then a subdued, devilish woodwind solo leads to a powerful climax. More tragedy and drama in track 5 leads to something of an exotic, low-key dance variation on the woodwind motif. It's action all the way in track 7, but track 8 is of a totally different nature, an eerie Theremin or similar bringing a threatening, supernatural quality to the score, often carried on in later tracks by sustained Hammond organ chords and that woodwind motif again.
These opening tracks pretty much introduce all the main thematic elements of the score, save for those of a romantic nature, commencing with strummed solo harp in track 12, the instrument turning more expressive as it leads into a somewhat bittersweet string melody in track 24.
After much drama, an heroic brass fanfare sounds in track 31, with French horns introducing a powerful climactic track 32, before expressive strings, interrupted by one last burst of muscular dramatics, lead us through an impressive finale.
As always, a colourful booklet accompanies the disc, with stills and artwork from the film, plus Claudio Fuiano's introductory notes. Go to www.digitmovies.com.