bleak and desperate are interesting descriptions. I come at this from an entirely different perspective, with an ear that was exposed to this track long before I actually enjoyed the film in entirety. But looking specifically at L’Arena, and at the minor -to-major -to minor chord progression , with drum clashes on downbeats - to me at least - are simply, yet structurally sound in expressing a harmony that draws in the listener, and establishes a progression before the whistling melody plays.

Without having made the picture-based connection before hearing it, I found the track to be more sound and true to contrapuntal form in clearly defined chord changes. When adding the whistle, then the trumpet melody, given the Spaghetti Western (Morricone especially) similarities in the chords and strings used, I found the track to be a layered anthem for a hero’s entrance.

In my case I hear the sounds distinctly, as I have a musical ear and mindset, but in analysis only- after the fact most definitely. In the moment of the beginning of the track, my mind’s eye is inspired, and moved to an inner awakening not unlike any hero grounds themselves in their training. I find myself grounded and focused through the clear string progression to start this track.

In hindsight, this scene is the anticlimax for The Bride, where she overcomes her obstacles with her training. L’Arena is the moment of the series where the champion, the hero is born.

But art is subjective, and many see and hear reality different, some do not subject themselves to the same study or discipline of the eyes or ears. Others seek an objective valuation- for better or worse, to each their own 🙏🍵