Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936)

Donald Macleod explores the richly evocative musical landscape of
Ottorino Respighi


This week, we’re 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 ‘Tone Poems’: 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 twentieth century. He remains hugely popular with
orchestras and audiences today. Respighi’s 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’s 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 was born in Bologna in 1879, and the city would have a
lasting influence upon the composer, even after he’d moved to
Rome. It was here, as a young man, that Respighi first discovered
his interest in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque, which
would have a great impact on his future compositions. Also in
Bologna, he began performing in the Theatre Orchestra, a job
which eventually led him to St. Petersburg where he encountered,
Rimsky-Korsakov. Bologna also boasted a number of second-hand
bookshops, where Respighi enjoyed spending his time. Over the
years he amassed several thousand volumes, some of which inspired
operas and songs.


Music Featured:


Adagio con variazioni, P. 133 Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110
(Moderato) Burlesca per Orchestra, P. 59 Notte. P. 55a Nebbie, P.
64 Aretusa, P. 95 Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1, P. 109
(Balleto detto “Il conte Orlando”) Il tramonto, P. 101 Fountains
of Rome, P. 106 Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110 (excerpt)
Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 2, P. 138 (Danza Rustica) Pines
of Rome, P. 141 Concerto Gregoriano, P. 135 (Finale) Belfagor
overture, P. 140 Poema autunnale, P. 146 Deità silvane, P. 147 No
1 (excerpt) Trittico botticelliano, P. 151 Gli uccelli, P. 154
(The Hen) Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3, P. 172 (excerpt)
Prelude and Fugue in D major, P 158 (after J.S. Bach’s BWV 532)
Notturno, P. 44 Roman Festivals, P. 157


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC
Wales


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Ottorino Respighi (1879 -
1936) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014npm


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z