BIG SCORES FOR THE SMALL SCREEN.
Morbo K
The series “Morbo K” aired on Rai 1 in Italy on January 27th and 28th, with the first episode coinciding with Holocaust Remembrance Day. The series explores a particularly courageous and significant chapter in Italian history during World War II. Produced by Rai Fiction and Fabula Fiction, it is directed by Francesco Patierno and centres around Dr Giovanni Borromeo, the head physician at the Roman Fatebenefratelli Hospital. In the series, his name is changed to Professor Prati, portrayed by Vincenzo Ferrara.
The haunting musical score is composed by Stefano Lentini and features many beautiful and impactful melodies. The composer effectively utilises solo piano and solo violin to create heartrending tone poems that are both captivating and emotional. This score is worth listening to, not only for its lilting melodic content but also for its moments of apprehension and drama, which are conveyed largely through similar orchestration and instrumentation. The sound, at times sparse and simple, complements the narrative and enhances the on-screen action without overwhelming it. The score is now available on digital platforms, so be sure to give it a listen.
COLPA DEI SENSI.
Another Italian-produced TV series is Colpa Dei Sensi, in which Davide (Gabriel Garko) returns to his hometown, disrupting what appears to be a stable environment. He comes back to support his dying father (Ricky Tognazzi), who was accused years earlier of uxoricide, a crime Davide has never fully accepted. His return brings him face to face with his emotional past: Laura (Anna Safroncik), his first great love, is now married to Enrico (Tommaso Basili), his former best friend and heir to one of the city’s wealthiest families. This encounter reopens old wounds and reignites feelings that have long been buried.
An overwhelming passion reignites between Davide and Laura, capable of shattering existing bonds and threatening her marriage. Although Laura attempts to resist and protect her life with Enrico, the passion between her and Davide is too powerful to contain. Simultaneously, doubts about whether Davide’s father is truly guilty of the crime spur him to investigate both the past and present in search of hidden truths. Assisting him is Tommaso (Francesco Venditti), a brilliant deputy commissioner from Ancona and the husband of Viola (Giorgia Würth), who is Laura’s best friend but is hiding her own secret. Meanwhile, Laura’s mother-in-law (Lina Sastri) perceives Davide’s return as a threat—not only to her son’s marriage but also to a shocking truth she has kept hidden for some time. Amidst a backdrop of eroticism, betrayal, forbidden passions, and mysteries, a sudden murder will alter the destinies of all the characters involved, putting their certainties at risk.
The entertaining and effective soundtrack is the work of respected Maestro Paolo Vivaldi. It’s a mix of styles, having to it a light and appealing sound, the composer employs solo piano from time to time within the score, adding to it soft and romantic sounding strings, which are expressive and warm. At times, whilst listening, I was reminded of the sound of Stelvio Cipriani’s score to The Anonymous Venetian, then on other occasions, the more dramatic and low-key sounds evoked Morricone and Nicolai. Available now on digital platforms.
Una Nuova Vita.
Vittoria Greco (played by Anna Vale) discovers her husband, Leonardo Moser’s body, at the end of a mountain climb. After eight years in prison, she wins a competition to become a doctor and returns to the village of San Martino di Castrozza, where she faces challenges in regaining the trust of the community and her husband’s family.
Her son, Matteo, rejects her, having been raised by his uncles. Vittoria meets Marco Premoli, a criminal lawyer from Milan, who decides to help her seek justice and reclaim her son. The Moser family has hired a journalist to further tarnish Vittoria’s reputation, suggesting she had an affair with Diego Ferrari, for whom she may have killed her husband.
As a doctor, Vittoria discovers that Leonardo had given money to Raul Chiesa, a local inn owner, for a cabin where he met a woman, amidst family disputes over a hotel renovation. Meanwhile, Premoli finds his daughter and learns of her connection to Leonardo Moser.
The score for this series is composed by Andrea Farri. I must emphasise the melodious quality of this soundtrack, which can be a rarity in British or American television soundtracks, aside from a few notable composers like Debbie Wiseman and Ben Bartlett. Farri’s music is truly delightful, and although the digital release is brief—just over twenty minutes—its impact was significant for me. Tracks such as “La Ferrata,” “Il Sangue dei Moser,” and “Ricordi di Una Vita Passata” all feature a clear melodic essence, while also incorporating a driving and darker element. Overall, it is a varied and entertaining score that I highly recommend.
L’Affaire Laura Stern.
Laura is a pharmacist and a mother who founded an association called Femmes Debout to support women who are victims of violence. One day, she witnesses the murder of one of its members and feels utterly helpless. Deeply traumatised by this act of femicide and infuriated by the inaction of the police and justice system, she resolves to confront men’s violence with violence to protect those around her. This French TV mini-series is a drama, that is at the moment streaming on HBO.
The music is composed by Eric Neveux and features a score filled with subtle yet effective themes. I describe it as subtle because the melodies remain below the surface, rarely coming to the forefront. However, this isn’t a criticism of the score; I genuinely enjoyed how the music complemented the drama. There are a few moments where melodies peek through, such as in the cue “Camille.” Although it may not be a grand or lavish statement, it is truly delightful to hear. I am a fan of subtle or understated scores, and this one is a piece I thoroughly enjoyed. I recommend giving it a listen—it’s available on digital platforms now.
VAKA.
“Vaka” explores the harrowing ordeal of Stockholm’s population as they grapple with a relentless epidemic of insomnia. The city quickly descends into turmoil, with the inability to sleep transforming daily life into a ceaseless nightmare marked by mounting chaos and unpredictability. As the mysterious illness tightens its grip, the interconnected lives of Stockholm’s residents are thrown into disarray, each battling their own personal struggles amid the broader crisis.
Among those caught in the upheaval is a disgraced prime minister, desperate to manage not only the escalating public emergency but also to salvage his own reputation. His efforts are further complicated by the need to protect his wayward son, whose actions threaten to make an already volatile situation even worse. Meanwhile, a committed ambulance nurse faces her own moral dilemma, risking everything to save the life of her lover, who has succumbed to the infection. The story also follows a teenage girl, who finds herself thrust into a position of responsibility as she steps in to defend a vulnerable young neighbour after his family becomes victims of both the spreading illness and the dangerous conspiracies it gives rise to.
Through its interconnected narratives, “Vaka” offers a compelling depiction of a city in crisis, highlighting themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the delicate relationships among its inhabitants. The musical score, composed by Atli Örvarsson, Kjartan Holm, and Sin Fang, primarily features electronic elements, complemented by live cello and string performances.
The soundtrack presents cohesive and distinctive compositions characterised by thematic development and creative expression. Notably, it effectively evokes moments of melancholy through its melodic arrangements that are at times lingering in the background, purveying a sense of hope. Stand-out tracks include Predators in Nature. Radiation and Stockholm’s Drinking Water. The album is now available on digital platforms.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.
Streaming now on Netflix is Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, featuring innovative music by Anne Nikitin. Her score stands out both in the show and on its own, making it worth listening to repeatedly.
It has to it an atmosphere of adventure and mystery, and is rich in inventive and thematic compositions. It’s available on digital platforms and highly recommended.
Prima Di Noi.
“Prima Di Noi” is an Italian-produced television series that unfolds across ten episodes, offering an in-depth exploration of the Sartori family’s journey through the course of three generations. The narrative spans a significant period from 1917 to 1978, tracing the family’s roots in rural Friuli and following their migration to the industrial city of Turin.
Against the backdrop of two world wars, the post-war economic boom, and the turbulent years that follow, the series delves into the personal and social transformations experienced by the Sartori family. Created by Giulia Calenda, Daniele Luchetti, and Valia Santella, “Prima Di Noi” paints a vivid portrait of family life and societal change in twentieth-century Italy.
The enchanting and beguiling music for the series is composed by Alessandro Forti and Francesco De Luca. Their work delivers a truly gorgeous score, distinguished by its richness in thematic material. Throughout the soundtrack, enticing piano solos are seamlessly woven together with sweeping string-filled interludes, creating moments that are both emotive and affecting. These solos, whether performed by piano, woodwind, or strings, contribute significantly to the score’s depth and character.
At times, the music evokes a sound and atmosphere reminiscent of the late James Horner, adding a familiar yet unique quality to the series’ auditory experience. Additionally, the score features appealing musical poems, gracefully performed by guitar, lilting and breathy woodwind, subdued yet melodious strings, and poignant piano, which further enhance its allure. This is a soundtrack that comes highly recommended for listeners, and it is available now on digital platforms.
His and Hers.
A very different score from the previous one is Mac Quayle’s music for the Netflix series His and Hers; it relies more upon layers of tense and apprehensive music rather than melodic themes, although, saying this, there are glimpses and moments within the work that boast a theme or two. Mainly an electronic work, the music works well in the series, and also can be a rewarding listening experience away from it.
Cues such as What Room is She in, for example, are dark-sounding but also possess a theme of sorts that runs throughout the track. It is an inventive and innovative work, the composer fashioning hesitant, understated compositions that successfully underline and punctuate the proceedings. Available via digital platforms.
Love Through a Prism.
Also available for streaming on Netflix is Love Through a Prism, a Japanese original net animation series created by Yoko Kamio, renowned for her work on Boys Over Flowers. Produced by Wit Studio, the twenty-episode series premiered on Netflix in January 2026. In conjunction with the anime release, a manga adaptation illustrated by Maki Minami commenced serialisation on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ and Manga Mee manga websites in the same month.
The story is set in early-1900s London and follows a Japanese student who travels to the city to pursue her studies in art. There, she becomes entwined with the life of a gifted young aristocrat, and their paths begin to overlap in unexpected ways.
The series features music by Naoki Chiba, whose score provides a thoroughly enjoyable and symphonic listening experience. The soundtrack is rich in themes, showcasing an easy-going and appealing character. Chiba primarily utilises strings, woodwinds, and a variety of percussive instruments, crafting a sound that recalls the styles of Hisaishi and Sakamoto. Expressive and engaging, the music adds considerable depth and charm to the overall production. It’s on digital platforms.
MOVIE MUSIC INTERNATIONAL. (MMI) . 