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Classics with NOW: Respighi, Pini di Roma

Classics with NOW: Respighi, Pini di Roma

Italian composer Ottorino Respighi completed his symphonic poem 鈥楶ini di Roma鈥 (鈥楶ines of Rome鈥) in 1924. It is the second of a trilogy of tone poems based on Rome, and the composer鈥檚 most frequently performed work.

Its four movements provide vibrant depictions of pine trees located across the city, making use of a large orchestra and a range of unusual instruments. These include a large organ, six bucinas (Roman trumpets), an extensive percussion section and a gramophone player.

The opening movement, 鈥淭he Pines of Villa Borghese,鈥 evoke scenes of children playing amongst the pine groves with boisterous melodies. The second movement, 鈥淧ines near a Catacomb,鈥 is much more sombre and spiritual, before a brighter third movement, 鈥淭he Pines of the Janiculum,鈥 portrays a nightingale singing in the moonlight. The final movement, 鈥淭he Pines of the Appian Way,鈥 creates an image of a Roman army marching into the city.

This performance by 麻豆官网首页入口 NOW took place in 2004 at the 麻豆官网首页入口 Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, under the baton of Conductor Laureate, Tadaaki Otaka.

Release date:

Duration:

22 minutes