Doing what he does best

Haunting and evocative film soundtracks are a speciality of Ennio Morricone. Listening to the song by BosbaPANH this morning reminded me of the maestro's composition for the film Fateless (Sorstalansag), which was released in 2005. Set in the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a place I visited myself a couple of years earlier, this is Morricone doing what he does best, taking control of your emotions and grabbing you firmly by the heart-strings without letting go. There is no one better. Read more about Fateless here.

A watch tower at the concentration camp of Birkenau

Sunday round-up

Hat-trick hero, Vin Nhek Troeung, Kirivon's mid-season signing from Vietnam
Kirivong's skipper and goalscorer Ly Ravy

Kirivong put their recent poor form behind them to notch up a 6-2 success

The youthful BBU side that were trounced by Kirivong on Sunday

It's 1.30am Monday morning and I've just finished watching the film The Untouchables on tv. Great story but the soundtrack music from Ennio Morricone is also untouchable, the man is a genius and if you haven't ever found the time to appreciate the man and his music, I implore you to rectify that immediately. Find out more about the maestro Morricone here. I also watched the Community Shield match on ESPN hence why my posting of Sunday's football round-up is a tad late. As I've come to expect from the Cambodian Premier League in recent months, there were goals galore in the two matches played Sunday afternoon. If you want to see the ball hitting the back of the net on a regular basis then the CPL is where its at. In the first game, Kirivong reversed their recent run of poor form with a 6-2 trounching of Build Bright, and in the second match of the day, Naga consolidated 4th spot with a 3-1 win against the bottom club Phuchung Neak.
Kirivong's recent Vietnamese import Vin Nhek Troeung was the star of their win, netting a hat-trick and leading the BBU defence a merry dance for 90 minutes. His technique in front of goal, cool, calm and collected, makes a nice change from the usual frantic attempts at goal that are the norm. His strike partner Julious Chukwumeka, skipper Ly Ravy and sub Mim Sophal were also on the scoresheet. Two late goals from BBU's industrious African striker Augustine Ogbni made it 6-2. In game 2 of the afternoon, Naga took their time before finishing off the plucky Navy side who stay rooted to the bottom with just 2 points from 14 games. They held out for the 1st half but changed their keeper just before the break - the reasons for the high number of 1st half substitutions in the CPL are a mystery to me - and paid the price when the replacement was chipped early in the second period. Chin Chom did the damage and substitutes Kop Isa and Soeung Monyroath also netted goals for Naga, with Wilson Mene grabbing a consolation for Phuchung Neak. A total of twelve goals in two games, with another five yesterday makes the CPL well worth a few hours of your time every weekend if its goals that you crave. And if you can't make the games, watch the Apsara tv round-up at 6pm every Friday night. Finally, the Cambodian U-19 team ended their AFF U-19 youth championships with a 3-nil defeat against Australia in Saigon on Saturday. Their group turned out to be just as tough as anticipated, with the Cambodians losing all three games they played. However, they did gain valuable competition practice which will hold them in good stead in the future.

Naga Corp consolidated 4th spot with a 3-1 win over Phuchung Neak

Naga's first goal was scored by former national team player Chin Chom

Mid-season signing Kop Isa netted one of the late Naga goals

The toss up between Naga (blue) and Phuchung Neak (red)

Phuchung Neak's goalscorer Wilson Mene at the after-match press interviews

The late afternoon cool air brings out the exercise merchants and kite-flyers at Olympic

Morricone magic

The incomparable Ennio Morricone

There's little to better a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon listening to the stirring music of Ennio Morricone. I've just watched his Arena Concerto dvd, filmed in 2002 and recorded live in Verona, Italy. Morricone is a genius, and his music will live on forever to accompany the images of the films he has scored or as individual pieces that will stand the test of time. He is the maestro but credit must also go to the soloists and musicians of the Rome Sinfonietta Orchestra who have been accompanying Morricone on stage and in recording studios for many years. His entourage include pianist Gilda Butta, singing sensations Susanna Rigacci and Dulce Pontes, as well as the key members of the orchestra such as Antonio Salvatore, Monica Berni, Carlo Romano, Fausto Anzelmo, Marco Serino and Paolo Zampini. With his advancing years, Morricone has set himself a challenging goal of delivering more live concerts around the globe whilst his film compositions have reduced in number, with just a few films like The Demons of St Petersburg, Resolution 819, Baaria and The Lady being given the Morricone treatment in the last two years. Here are some screen captures from the dvd which I recommend everyone should have in their collection. Link: Ennio Morricone

The soprano Susanna Rigacci

Monica Berni on the flute (right)

Carlo Romano (left) and his oboe have been with Morricone for 25 years

Dulce Pontes is an amazing vocalist and sings some of my favourite Morricone tracks

The youthful flutist Paolo Zampini

Piano soloist Gilda Butta

The lead violinist Antonio Salvatore, a Morricone man for many years