Andrea Doria -74

Quartet Records and Gruppo Sugar present the premiere CD release of this much-requested score by Riz Ortolani in a complete presentation.

Italian writer/director Bruno Vailati helmed an expedition in 1968 to film the wreckage of the Andrea Doria, a legendary Italian ship that sank near Nantucket (the number in the title refers to how deep the ship had sunk). The film is a rare treat to behold, one of the first diver documentaries using expensive, state-of-the-art equipment to capture as much action in the murky waters as possible.

Ortolani uses sparse percussion, distorted electronic guitar and electronic textures to create a dread-inducing atmosphere filled with sharks and dark caves. Once the ship is found, however, the music changes character. Ortolani uses surf guitars, leisurely lounge music and a more relaxed mood as the expedition takes its time to document the wreckage amidst the terrifying sea life.

Our expanded CD of this rare Italian album—very expensive in the secondary market—features the complete score for the first time in stereo (except for three cues recorded in mono). Mastered by Claudio Fuiano from first-generation master tapes courtesy of Gruppo Sugar, the package comes with an 8-page booklet in which Gergely Hubai discusses both film and score. This CD is a limited edition of 300 units.