Respighi, Ottorino (1879 - 1936)

[Serial_Apologist]

It may seem somewhat surprising that this well-known composer has not been included in our list - possibly it has something to do with his self-ingratiation with the Mussolini régime. So I am consciously separating art from artist in opening his thread with this atypical but beautiful Late Romantic Impressionist pastoral tone poem quasi violin concerto, written in 1925, which I encountered for the first time this morning on Through The Night, mistakenly if understandably thinking it must be an overlooked piece by either Kodaly or Hanson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUCGhkOourA

[hmvman]

One of my favourite composers, S_A. I hadn't realised he wasn't in our composers list I recently came across his beautiful piano piece Valse Caressante.

[Old Grumpy]

His Stabat Mater with Andreas Scholl and Barbara Bonney with Les Talens Lyriques is one of my favourites.

https://www.discogs.com/release/13249094-Pergolesi-Andreas-Scholl-Barbara-Bonney-Les-Talens-Lyriques-Christophe-Rousset-Stabat-Mater

[smittims]

For an Italian composer writing a piece for violin and orchestra about Autumn, Vivaldi must have loomed, but Respighi writes quite an original work here.

I think it cannot be denied that Respighi was uneven, and for many years was close to being a 'one-hit wonder '. But some of his songs are wonderful, especially 'Il Tramonto' which gets an airing occasionally, surely a unique masterpiece in its way; like the Brahms Alto Rhasody, there's nothing quite like it.

[hmvman]

Agree about the inconsistency, smittims, especially in the earlier works. However, he was, I think, an absolutely superb orchestrator!

[Pulcinella]

His Stabat Mater with Andreas Scholl and Barbara Bonney with Les Talens Lyriques is one of my favourites.

https://www.discogs.com/release/13249094-Pergolesi-Andreas-Scholl-Barbara-Bonney-Les-Talens-Lyriques-Christophe-Rousset-Stabat-Mater

Oops?
Respighi not Pergolesi, OG.

[vinteuil]

Oops?
Respighi not Pergolesi, OG.

... ahhh, that's better. Respighi (along with Weill) among my least favourite composers : Pergolesi (along with many others) among my favourites...

[RichardB]

It may seem somewhat surprising that this well-known composer has not been included in our list

True, but surely most of his work is unsubtle and unmemorable, except perhaps in its orchestration... or am I mistaken?

[Pulcinella]

True, but surely most of his work is unsubtle and unmemorable, except perhaps in its orchestration... or am I mistaken?

Probably mostly true, but The Roman Trilogy is a good introduction for youngsters: the 'birdy' music and the soldiers marching.

Have you heard Il tramonto (especially with Janet Baker singing)?

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8021428--respighi-aretusa-lauda-per-la-nativita-il-tramonto-trittico-botticelliano

[RichardB]

the 'birdy' music and the soldiers marching

Those were exactly the moments I had in mind! Looking forward to trying out whatever recommendations turn up here though.

[Pulcinella]

Those were exactly the moments I had in mind! Looking forward to trying out whatever recommendations turn up here though.

I meant the nightingale in the Janiculum (as I'm sure you realised) not The Birds per se, which I'm not a great admirer of.
But as well as the trilogy there's Church windows (though is there a recording with decent rather than somewhat artificial organ sound?) and the Three Botticelli Pictures.

Here's a thought: Compare and contrast Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano (1927) with Martinu's Fresques de Piero della Francesca (1953).

[Old Grumpy]

Oops?
Respighi not Pergolesi, OG.

Oh dear...

...

[Sir Velo]

OK, it seems I'm going out on a limb here but I'll admit to a guilty pleasure in loving the full on technicolour of Respighi's Roman trilogy. Although, to be perfectly honest, I don't feel the need to apologise at all!. Apart from the rather wonderful Pines, Belkis, Queen of Sheba is another shamelessly OTT orchestral bacchanale which deserves more than the occasional airing..

[hmvman]

I regard Trittico Botticelliano as a masterpiece. I love all three of the Roman works and technicolor is a great adjective to use. I've often wondered if Respighi had lived longer whether he would've composed for the cinema. His film scores would've been something to marvel at!

[Pulcinella]

I regard Trittico Botticelliano as a masterpiece. I love all three of the Roman works and technicolor is a great adjective to use. I've often wondered if Respighi had lived longer whether he would've composed for the cinema. His film scores would've been something to marvel at!

I remember being disappointed by an NYOGB Proms performance under Petrenko of Feste (later issued as part of a BBC MM CD) though; it was too much of a scramble.
Boston/Ozawa, Montreal/Dutoit, and Philadelphia/Ormandy high up the list for me.