Once Upon a Time in the West (BMG) To really appreciate Morricone you need to hear his soundtracks in their entirety. This, one of the most iconic scores in film history, is a good start. Cheyenne creates an eerie atmosphere with banjo and out-of-tune piano, while Man With a Harmonica is the most recognisable theme in the western genre.
Morricone: The Man and his Music (Warner Classics)
Morricone conducts the Rome Sinfonietta and four soloists through his most famous songs. Includes Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon a Time in America and The Mission, plus other film music transcribed for solo piano.
Ennio Morricone at the Movies (Camden)
Features such classics as Paying Off Scores, from For a Few Dollars More, and the legendary, much-pastiched theme tune to A Fistful of Dollars, and lesser known western themes.
Metti, Una Sera A Cena (Love Circle) (Cinevox)
One of his most beautiful pieces, for this 1969 film about wife-swapping. The title track is a masterpiece in harmonic minimalism; Hurry to Me is groovy easy listening.
Ad Ogni Costo (Grand Slam) (Dagored)
The soundtrack for this 1967 caper movie starring Janet Leigh and Klaus Kinski sees Morricone playing his own instrument, the trumpet, on a solo on the title track. Alongside his signature wordless vocals and moody atmospherics, he manages to find space for bossa nova and samba tunes, making this one of his most eclectic works.