Alessandro De Rosa – Biography
Full Name: Alessandro De Rosa
Date of Birth: 1985
Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Profession: Composer, Music Producer, Writer
Known For: Co-author of Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words
Active Years: 2000s – present
Early Life and Education
Alessandro De Rosa was born in Rome, Italy, in 1985. From a young age, he showed deep interest in music composition and storytelling through sound. He pursued studies in music composition, orchestration, and film scoring in both Italy and the Netherlands, refining his craft under various mentors and through academic training.
His passion for music eventually led him to meet Ennio Morricone, one of the world’s greatest film composers — a relationship that would later shape his career and legacy.
Career and Collaboration with Ennio Morricone
De Rosa’s career is most recognized for his close collaboration with Ennio Morricone, the Oscar-winning Italian composer known for his work on The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Cinema Paradiso, and The Mission.
Their relationship evolved from mentorship to friendship and later into a literary partnership. Together, they co-authored the book:
“Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words” (original Italian title: Ennio Morricone: Inseguendo quel suono).
The book, published in 2016 in Italian and translated to English in 2019, is a deep, conversational biography in which Morricone discusses his life, creative process, and musical philosophy — with De Rosa acting as the interviewer, editor, and co-writer.
This book is now considered one of the most insightful and intimate accounts of Morricone’s thoughts on music and art.
Music Career
Apart from his writing, Alessandro De Rosa is an accomplished composer in his own right. His works span:
- Film and television scores
- Orchestral and chamber music
- Experimental sound projects
He has composed and produced music for international productions, documentaries, and independent films, blending classical orchestration with modern electronic elements.
De Rosa’s compositions are noted for their emotional storytelling and structural depth, echoing the influence of Morricone while maintaining his own distinct voice.
Notable Works
- Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words (2016, A Bompiani publication; English edition 2019)
- Original scores for short films and documentaries in Europe
- Music for cultural and art events in Italy and the Netherlands
Personal Life and Philosophy
Alessandro De Rosa lives between Italy and the Netherlands, continuing to work as a composer, writer, and music educator. He often gives talks and interviews about the creative process of composing for visual media and the philosophical side of music.
De Rosa has described music as “a way of connecting the invisible dots between emotion, intellect, and the world around us.”
Legacy and Influence
Through his collaboration with Morricone, De Rosa became one of the few people to gain direct insight into the Maestro’s artistic soul. His book has become an essential read for musicians, composers, and music lovers who want to understand the mind behind some of cinema’s most iconic scores.
Alessandro De Rosa continues to bridge generations of composers, blending the classical legacy of Italian film music with modern storytelling techniques.
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