Nino Rota: Between Cinema and Concert

00:00:24 30 years ago, at the premiere of Fellini's 8 1/2.

00:02:02 Many of his melodies are world-famous.

00:03:07 to those notes that are so light and spontaneous

00:05:12 Biographer Pier Marco De Santi.

00:06:51 I was very fortunate

00:08:37 under the supervision of family friend Arturo Toscanini.

00:10:46 This is the simple theme I had so much trouble with:

00:13:13 Here Rota led a quiet life, away from the noise

00:16:20 of a concert hall, all to raise academy standards.

00:17:52 to begin studying the piano.

00:20:01 There are still stories of him working through the night

00:22:45 "La Pappa col Pomodoro."

00:25:11 A suitable film score did not always mean an entirely new composition.

00:26:41 and starring Giulietta Masina.

00:29:47 Nothing can be made of the creative periods, nor his crises or climaxes.

00:31:19 with his vast harmonic and instrumental mastery.

00:32:52 It hurt him when critics condemned him

00:34:37 Visconti liked it very much.

00:36:28 We write the scores for Fellini's films so quickly

00:38:59 Rota was unfairly branded as "Fellini's musician."

00:40:33 "What was that?" I ask him. "What?" Nino asks absently.

00:42:11 because the dialogue starts.

00:44:49 Rota's confessions end here.

08:01:02 Federico Fellini