“¡Por Ennio!” – A Contemporary Tribute to a Film Music Giant
Music by John Finbury | Lyrics and Vocals by Magos Herrera | Performed by PUBLIQuartet
When contemporary classical meets lyrical jazz in tribute to one of the most revered film composers of the 20th century, the result is more than homage—it becomes an artistic conversation across time. This is the power of “¡Por Ennio!”, a poignant musical work composed by John Finbury, featuring lyrics and vocals by Magos Herrera, and performed by the genre-defying PUBLIQuartet.
Released in 2022, “¡Por Ennio!” stands as a shimmering reflection on the emotional breadth of Ennio Morricone, the legendary Italian composer whose film scores for The Mission, Cinema Paradiso, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly continue to inspire musicians and cinephiles alike. But rather than mimic Morricone’s iconic motifs, Finbury and Herrera have created something both personal and reverent—a piece that honors the master not by imitation, but by invoking the spirit of his creative freedom.
The Collaborative Heart of “¡Por Ennio!”
At its core, “¡Por Ennio!” is a work born from collaborative artistry.
John Finbury, a Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated composer known for his intimate arrangements and global sensibilities, composed the music with a clear sense of cinematic scope. A composer who often works through deep collaboration—particularly with artists from Brazil and Latin America—Finbury brought his signature melodic lyricism to the piece, crafting music that feels both modern and timeless.
For the lyrics and vocals, Finbury turned to Magos Herrera, one of the most compelling voices in Latin jazz. Herrera’s contributions elevate the piece with poetic fluency, layered in imagery and depth. Her performance on “¡Por Ennio!” is understated yet emotionally direct—her vocal line gliding through the arrangement like memory through time.
Joining them is the trailblazing PUBLIQuartet—Curtis Stewart, Jannina Norpoth, Nick Revel, and Hamilton Berry—who bring an edge and emotional elasticity to the score. PUBLIQuartet is renowned for pushing the boundaries of classical chamber music, integrating jazz, improvisation, and contemporary idioms into their performances. Their interpretation of Finbury’s score is anything but static—it breathes, pulses, and resonates with subtle complexity.
The result is a rich, genre-blending composition that merges chamber music, jazz, and vocal poetry into a single expressive narrative.
Recorded with Intention and Elegance
“¡Por Ennio!” was produced by Emilio D. Miler—a frequent Finbury collaborator and a Latin Grammy-winning producer known for his sensitivity to cross-genre projects. The track was recorded at the Power Station in New York City in May 2022, a studio known for its acoustic precision and historic pedigree. The production team also included Alex Venguer (recording), María Elisa Ayerbe (mixing), and Carlos Freitas (mastering)—a dream lineup for a composition that required nuance and clarity at every level.
From the moment the strings enter, there’s a sense of spaciousness and quiet reverence. The quartet’s arrangement—crafted by PUBLIQuartet members—builds around Magos’ voice without overwhelming it, giving her lyrics the kind of textural support that turns them into part song, part soliloquy.
A Tribute to Morricone Without Quotation
One of the most striking aspects of “¡Por Ennio!” is that it avoids the obvious. There are no direct quotations from Morricone’s most famous themes, no musical winks to spaghetti westerns or choral climaxes. Instead, Finbury’s composition channels the emotional architecture of Morricone’s work—his ability to conjure longing, nostalgia, and understated grandeur.
Herrera’s lyrics further the emotional distance from pastiche, instead weaving a literary homage that invokes the kind of existential reverie often found in Morricone’s finest scores. There’s a meditative quality here—a slow unveiling of feeling rather than spectacle.
This approach is deeply in line with Finbury’s compositional philosophy: his music often values intimacy over drama, atmosphere over flourish, and collaboration over ego.
Why “¡Por Ennio!” Matters Now
In a cultural moment where immediacy and volume often dominate, “¡Por Ennio!” offers something quieter—and more enduring.
It is a reminder that homage can take the form of dialogue, not just echo. That artists like Finbury, Herrera, and PUBLIQuartet are not merely looking back with nostalgia, but engaging with a lineage of musical storytelling that continues to evolve.
The track also underscores a key truth about John Finbury’s career: he is a composer deeply committed to relationships—musical, emotional, and intergenerational. From his early work in Brazilian jazz with vocalists like Marcella Camargo, to his Grammy-nominated collaboration with Thalma de Freitas on Sorte!, and more recently, his lyrical partnerships with Magos Herrera and Camille Bertault, Finbury’s music lives in the space between composer and performer.
“¡Por Ennio!” is yet another example of this ethos: not a singular statement, but a shared offering.
Final Thoughts: A Poetic Interlude in a Noisy World
“¡Por Ennio!” might not be a chart-topper or viral sensation—and that’s precisely why it matters. It’s a piece that invites listening rather than consumption. Reflection rather than reaction.
In honoring Ennio Morricone through original composition, John Finbury and his collaborators offer something rare in today’s musical landscape: a work of respect, restraint, and resonance.
As the strings dissolve into silence and Magos Herrera’s final note fades, what remains is not just the memory of Morricone, but the living continuation of the artistic values he embodied: melody, narrative, atmosphere, and feeling.
Listen to “¡Por Ennio!”
“¡Por Ennio!” is available on all major streaming platforms. For more information on John Finbury’s work and collaborations, visit Green Flash Music