Ottorino Respighi (9 July 1879 - 18 April 1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist who was one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. His compositions range over operas, ballets, orchestral suites, choral songs, and chamber music, and include transcriptions of pieces from Italian composers of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and works of Bach and Rachmaninoff. Among his best known and most performed works are his three Roman tone poems, which brought him international fame: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928). All three demonstrate Respighi's use of rich orchestral colours.
Please support my channel:
ko-fi.com/bartjebartmans
Vetrate di chiesa (Church Windows), 4 impressions for orchestra, P. 150 (1926)
1. La fuga in Egitto (0:00)
2.San Michele Arcangelo (6:46)
3. Il mattuttino di Santa Chiara (12:57)
4. S. Gregorio Magno (18:25)
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jesús López-Cobos
Description by Roy Brewer [-]
Subtitled "Four Impressions," this work evokes in resplendent orchestration and with great dramatic power various religious events depicted in the stained glass windows of Italian churches. "The Flight into Egypt" depicts the caravan containing the Christ child; "St. Michael Archangel" is shown driving rebellious angels out of heaven with a flaming sword; "The Matin of St. Claire" is inspired by the legend of a thirteenth century saint transported miraculously to a little Italian church to take part in the Matin service; "St. Gregory the Great" portrays Pope Gregory (590-604) blessing the congregation at a ceremonial service.
These are no mere guidebook illustrations, and the work cannot in any strict sense be called program music. In fact the music was originally adapted from a three-part piano suite called Preludes on Gregorian Themes, written with no pictorial intent whatever. They were named by Respighi's wife and friends at a dinner when they heard him play the pieces for the first time and made up titles for them. After the church windows idea took hold, Respighi orchestrated them and added a fourth movement. But of course orchestration is everything with Respighi, and the score has the feeling of transparency and subtle coloration appropriate to its title. It becomes as evocative as The Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.
"The Flight to Egypt" has a reverent, modal feeling, and St. Michael sets on the naughty angels with exemplary vigor. "The Matin of St. Claire" is, perhaps, the most evocative of the set -- a tender pastorale with finely touched-in woodwind tints. In "St. Gregory the Great," Respighi unleashes his full orchestral forces, including an organ, to convey the pomp and grandeur of the papal setting. The splendor is almost visible. Bells of various pitches sound through the orchestra, and the wide difference in compass between lowest pedal notes of the organ and the high brasses contribute to the grandest of grand finales.
Publisher info:
Milan: G. Ricordi, 1927. Plate P.R. 816.
Copyright:
Public Domain - Non-PD US