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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 β€˜Pini di Roma’ (β€˜Pines of Rome’) in 1924. It is the second of a trilogy of tone poems based on Rome, and the composer’s 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, β€œThe Pines of Villa Borghese,” evoke scenes of children playing amongst the pine groves with boisterous melodies. The second movement, β€œPines near a Catacomb,” is much more sombre and spiritual, before a brighter third movement, β€œThe Pines of the Janiculum,” portrays a nightingale singing in the moonlight. The final movement, β€œThe Pines of the Appian Way,” creates an image of a Roman army marching into the city.

This performance by ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ NOW took place in 2004 at the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, under the baton of Conductor Laureate, Tadaaki Otaka.

Release date:

Duration:

22 minutes