Ennio Morricone's son on the composer: He was drawn to the players who showed loyalty

His music made countless Hollywood blockbusters unforgettable, but there was one standout soundtrack to Ennio Morricone’s existence: AS Roma.

The composer was born on 10 November 1928 and would have turned 92 today. He sadly passed away on 6 July.

His 63-year-old son Marco celebrates and pays tribute to his father’s memory in this interview, in which he discusses Ennio’s relationship with Roma and the Italian capital.

What do you miss the most about him, four months on from his passing?

“I miss having coffee together in the morning. I miss seeing him write. I miss him, my father. He was meticulous as a father, just as he was in his profession.”

As a family, do you have plans to conserve and promote your father’s work?

“We’re working on it. The fact that my brother Andrea is an orchestra director and musician makes it easier. We’re the only custodians of the musical arrangements that my father wrote and his legacy will live on around the world.”

What did Roma mean to Ennio Morricone?

“It was a wonderful source of distraction and entertainment, although he did, of course, get angry when Roma lost. He wasn’t a Roma fan as a boy, but probably became one because of the club’s colours. Roma took the pressure off him when he was composing.”

When he was on tour, did he manage to keep up to date with Roma?

“He would stream matches and there would always be three or four passionate Roma fans in front of the computer. It would be dad, me and the odd soloist from the orchestra.”

They say that Naim Krieziu was your father’s childhood idol.

“That’s right. He was a right winger that my father was a big fan of."

Besides Krieziu, which players was Ennio Morricone particularly fond of?

“Definitely [Francesco] Totti, who, beyond his footballing ability, also has a real connection with the city. My father also had a very strong, almost visceral link with Rome and it’s the same story for Francesco.

"Many years ago, my father was supposed to move to California, but he refused in order to stay in Rome. Dad was drawn towards loyalty, those who put down roots and showcased leadership, which is why he also really liked [Daniele] De Rossi. When the team wasn’t doing well, Daniele would stand up and be counted.”

Did he ever think about composing a song about Roma?

“President Franco Sensi pitched the idea to him in a bland way. My father responded, “Venditti’s hymn ['Grazie Roma'] is so brilliant; stick with that one.”

What is your first memory as a fan with your father?

“It was in the 1970s back in the days of eco-friendly Sundays. We’d all go to the stadium together as a group of Roma-supporting friends who all had season tickets. Sergio Leone was also with us. It was so much fun and we had a carefree lifestyle. Fantastic times.”

Sergio Leone – another Roma-supporting icon.

“Yes, Sergio was a Roma fan. Andrea (the director’s son) will remember that.”

If Roma were a soundtrack by Morricone, which would it be?

“Maybe Once Upon a Time in America because it’s a film about memories and it brings Sergio and my father together, so there’s a strong Roma connection. I associate Once Upon a Time in America with my father’s youth when he went to watch Roma play at Campo Testaccio.”