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