Fountains of Rome
Donald Macleod follows Respighi to Rome, where he takes up a teaching post and begins to make important contacts.
Donald Macleod follows Respighi to Rome, where he takes up a teaching post and begins to make important contacts.
This week, we鈥檙e invited to explore the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino Respighi. The colourful inventiveness of his most popular music was often inspired by images, places or stories, like his trio of 鈥楾one Poems鈥�: Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals. These works and others were frequently championed by celebrated conductor, Arturo Toscanini, and Respighi rose to become one of the leading Italian composers of the 20th century. He remains hugely popular with orchestras and audiences today. Respighi鈥檚 trademark orchestral brilliance betrays the influence of his Russian mentor, Rimsky-Korsakov. He was also fascinated by early music and sometimes incorporated antique styles into his works. In this series, Donald Macleod explores Respighi鈥檚 life and music from different perspectives, including his associations with Bologna, Rome and the USA, the important presence of his wife, Elsa, and also his complicated relationship with Toscanini.
Respighi became frustrated with the lack of opportunities in Bologna, so when he was offered a new teaching post in Rome, he snapped it up. Even so, he frequently returned to Bologna, where he found the peace of mind he needed to compose. Rome would influence Respighi in many ways, not least as the place he first encountered his future wife Elsa. The city also served as the inspiration for several tone poems. The initial reception for his Fountains of Rome was poor, but once it was taken up by Toscanini, interest in Respighi began to grow.
Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1, P. 109 (Balleto detto 鈥淚l conte Orlando鈥�)
Sinfonia 21
Richard Hickox, conductor
Il tramonto, P. 101
Anna Caterina Antonacci, soprano
Orchestre Philharmonique de Li猫ge
John Neschling, conductor
Fountains of Rome, P. 106
Sinfonia of London
John Wilson, conductor
Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110 (excerpt)
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock, for 麻豆社 Wales
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Music Played
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Ottorino Respighi
Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1, P. 109 (Balleto detto "Il conte Orlando")
Orchestra: Sinfonia 21. Conductor: Richard Hickox.- Telemann: Ein wahrer Held.
- CHANDOS.
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Ottorino Respighi
Il tramonto
Singer: Anna Caterina Antonacci. Orchestra: Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Li猫ge. Conductor: John Neschling.- BIS : BIS CD-2250.
- BIS.
- 4.
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Ottorino Respighi
Fontane Di Roma
Orchestra: Sinfonia of London. Conductor: John Wilson.- CHANDOS : CHSA 52-61.
- CHANDOS.
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Ottorino Respighi
Violin Sonata in B minor (2nd & 3rds mvts)
Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Piers Lane.- Chandos CHAN 10749.
- Chandos.
- 5.
Broadcast
- Tue 22 Feb 2022 12:00麻豆社 Radio 3
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