Respighi: Pini di Roma; Fontane de Roma; Feste Romane

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburghers give us Respighi's Roman triptych in all its gaudy splendor on this 1996 release, which was made using a purist two-mike approach unusual for Sony. Thanks to the conductor's control of balances, the high standard of the orchestra's execution, and the clarity of texture that characterizes the recording, one can enjoy every detail of Respighi's opulent scoring and at the same time hear these works, for once, as actual music. The performances, like the sonics, are demonstration class. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Pines Of Rome: I. Pini di Villa Borghese
Pines of Rome: II. Pini presso una catacomba
Pines of Rome: III. I Pini del Gianicolo
Pines of Rome: IV. I Pini della via Appia
The Fountains Of Rome: I. La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba
The Fountains Of Rome: II. La fontana di Tritone al mattino
The Fountains Of Rome: III. La fontana di Trevi al meriggio
The Fountains Of Rome: IV. La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto
Roman Festivals: I. Circenses
Roman Festivals: Il. Giubileo
Roman Festivals: III. L'Ottobrata
Roman Festivals: IV. La Befana

Amazon.com

Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburghers give us Respighi's Roman triptych in all its gaudy splendor on this 1996 release, which was made using a purist two-mike approach unusual for Sony. Thanks to the conductor's control of balances, the high standard of the orchestra's execution, and the clarity of texture that characterizes the recording, one can enjoy every detail of Respighi's opulent scoring and at the same time hear these works, for once, as actual music. The performances, like the sonics, are demonstration class. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

This is the one to get.......2007-02-22

If you only can buy one recording of the Roman Trilogy make it this one. It has best sound quality and the performance is awe-inspiring.

Highly recommended!

Impeccable performance by both Maestro and Orchestra.......2006-08-17

To compare an orchestra with such caliber as Philadelphia (one of the "Mighty Five" of this country) with a lesser known orchestra (yet not any less talented I must say) is to compare apples to oranges. I personally don't see any sense in doing so and I strongly dispute comparing recordings based on the orchestra alone. I have heard sloppy records played by world famous orchestras. It happens. I have also heard phenomonal recordings done by orchestras previously unheard of. While Pittsburgh is most certainly not unheard of, they would still fall into the latter category.
The performance given here by Pittsburgh is top notch, no questions asked, hands down. A fabulous technical ability paired with the wise musical styling of Maazel make this record a steal. The sound quality is stunning, each episode of Respighi's triptych sparkles with its own light, not a cut and paste example. Another fine example of this is Danielle Gatti with the Orchestra of Saint Cecilia.
Maazel doesn't fail to delight with his great readings of the Respighi Roman triptych. And, at least in this recording, Pittsburgh is right up there with the heavy hitters in today's orchestral scene.

Good clean energy.......2006-06-09

Lorin Maazel brings an incredibly energetic approach to the music of Respighi. The previous reviewer, Mr. Kniess does a wonderful job telling you about the pieces of music on this disk, so I only intend to add to what he has said. (However, I would not regard Respighi as an 'impressionist'. That seems to put his music in the same category as Debussy and Ravel, which it is most certainly not.)

The performance of these works are impeccable. All sections of the orchestra are always pristine, both in terms of rhythm and pitch. So much power and energy comes from the orchestra, I continue to be amazed every time I listen to the recording. The brass soloists in the last movement of Roman Festival are incredible. They really go for the biggest tone, and sound great in the process.

This is a great CD to own. A must have for Respighi lovers and brass musicians.

Italian Impressionist.......2006-01-28

Ottorino Respighi is somewhat of an oddity; considered an Italian impressionist, his music is far off from the fuzzy haze of the French, and while he highly regarded Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, his music is not particularly nationalistic, save the ideas and programs of his works. Three very popular symphonic poems represent the pinnacle of his compositional style, all included on this disk: The Pines of Rome, The Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals.

Each of the poems have four movements which describe the musical portraits or scenes Respighi wants to convey, usually in a vivid manner. The Pines of Rome is centered around the ancient trees of his native land, the first, the pine trees of Villa Borghese, is a playful opener with tinkling bells and skipping rhythms imitating the playing children. Pine trees near a catacomb is very subdued, but a rhythmical chanting rises to a climax with blazing brass, combining ancient ritual with, then, modern classicism. The nearest Respighi approaches French Impressionism is in the pine trees of Janiculum, with its shimmering strings, arpeggiated piano, and use of harp and celeste. The nature-based clarinet solo cuts through any haze, however, and the use of recorded bird song is unique to Respighi in this case. The final, pine trees of the Appian Way, builds into a theme of fifths, horn and trumpet calls aided by the trombones and tuba, give a militaristic quality and a brash ending gives a glorious close. The orchestrations are very colorful, even including organ on top of a host of other unique instruments. The melodic material is tuneful and interesting, one of Respighi's most approachable poems for orchestra.

The poem which flows the best from start to finish is the Fountains of Rome (no pun intended). Respighi describes four specific fountains in an around Rome and musically depicts them. The opening fountain of Valle Giulia is the most bubbly (pun intended). The lines are long and florid with burbling scales in all parts, with calmly rising melodies. In contrast, the Triton Fountain is firmly announced by horns, screaming strings, and bells. What follows is a bouncy scherzo, often reminiscent of the French Romantic composer Paul Dukas; the movement is fun and bubbly. The Fountain at Trevi, however, seems to recall Richard Strauss, with heavy and powerful trombones in the spotlight. The forcefulness is fortified by the addition of organ, but subsides into the last fountain at Villa Medici. The most impressionistic sounding, the modal melody on English horn recalls Debussy, while the harp glissandi, celeste, string tremolos, and woodwind dottings only reinforce the idea. Again, colorful orchestrations, beautiful melodies, including the haunting modes of the last fountain.

Roman Festivals is by and far the most Italian sounding of the three poems, and chronicles life around a celebration. The very angry and agitated opening Cirenses, sounds nearly schizophrenic, with unrelated fanfares, and a menacing bass drum for the impending storm, as well as a fearful organ. A slow procession of religious folk outside of town changes the mood to the movement entitled Jubilee, but builds in intensity. The third movement, October Festival, has varied melodies and sections, including an Italian love song, and a serenade complete with solo mandolin. The blazing finale, Epiphany, is also schizophrenic in pacing, with constantly changing moods, scenes, and themes. The end result is exultancy as full orchestra resoundingly concludes.

Of digital recordings, this Sony recording is by and far the finest. The Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra under Lorin Maazel is captured in a sonically enriched atmosphere, very much like a concert hall setting. The large proportions are captured well and balanced properly, and the colorful orchestration dazzles the listener. The playing is great, the brass section is particularly exceptional; I have not heard such ensemble, precision, and high quality in a long time. Maazel is faithful to the score, but also makes each portrait diverse from the preceding one, relying on Respighi's imagination. He gets a full and dramatic reading from the score. Highly recommended modern account of three classics. Compare with Maazel's 70's recording with the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca; both great, I prefer this one.

Second to none!.......2004-11-08

Lorin Maazel transports the listener along a musical soujourn that s/he'll not soon forget! The composer, the conductor and the orchestra nail this one in a perfect tenon. This is a rendition that one can listen to over and over. Don't wait to add it to your Classical Music library.

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