Egisto Macchi: The Assassination of Trotsky. Sources of the Creative Process

This volume examines Egisto Macchi’s creative process for the soundtrack of The Assassination of Trotsky, directed by Joseph Losey (1972). Drawing on an in-depth analysis of sources preserved in the Egisto Macchi Collection at the Institute of Music, Fondazione Giorgio Cini (Venice), and the Joseph Losey Collection at the British Film Institute (London), the book offers, for the first time, a detailed exploration of the collaboration between Losey and Macchi—a partnership that continued with the film Mr. Klein (1976).

Why did Losey choose this relatively unknown composer? How did an avant-garde musician navigate the cinematic system? What kind of audiovisual experience did Macchi and Losey craft through this film? To address these questions, the volume delves into multiple facets of the creative process, analyzing letters, notes, drafts, sketches, and final orchestral scores.

The book is enriched by a wide selection of reproduced facsimile sources, providing invaluable insights into the archival traces of Macchi’s work. These materials situate the composition within its historical and creative context, illuminating analytical methodologies that bridge distinct artistic domains. The philological investigation offers critical contributions, not only to understanding the genesis of the film but also to uncovering the aesthetic principles underlying Macchi’s collaboration with Losey.

This volume not only investigates Macchi’s compositional approach and working materials, but also highlights the potential of an integrated approach combining analysis, theory, and history. It reveals the significance of experimental sound practices in shaping cinematic experiences during a pivotal historical moment when the world of film embraced avant-garde music.