Respighi: Pini Di Roma, Feste Romane

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This knock 'em, sock 'em orchestral spectacular is Leonard Bernstein at his charismatic best. There weren't many people in the music biz who even remembered these recordings (he made so many) before Sony reissued them on CD. As seems to be so often the case with Bernstein, he was able to bring an incredible amount of excitement and energy to an unbelievably wide range of music, but when it came to show stoppers like these, he was literally unbeatable. What's even more gratifying, the remastered sonics sport altogether outstanding impact and range--better in fact than most newer, digital recordings of the same music. A blast. --David Hurwitz

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.

Average customer rating:

Good job
Masterful!
Great CD of Classical music's power pieces!

Time Life Presents: Classical Thunder

Manufacturer: Time Life Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Thunderous Classics
Thunder & Lightning
25 Thunderous Classics
Classical Thunder II: Time Life Library of Classical Favorites
Simply the Best Classical Anthems

ASIN: B00081U6XC
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Introduction
Ride Of The Valkyries
Mars, The Bringer Of War
Montagues And Capulets
Sabre Dance
William Tell Overture (Conclusion)
In The Hall Of The Mountain King
The Hut On Fowl's Legs
The Great Gate At Kiev
Fanfare For The Common Man
Allegro Con Brio
Marche Au Supplice (March To The Scaffold)
Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)
Circus Maximus
Les Toreadors
Finlandia, Op.26
1812 Overture, Op.49 (Conclusion)

Tracks:

Procession Of The Nobles
Rakoczy March
Ritual Fire Dance
The Hero's Battlefield
Pines Of The Appian Way
Dies Irae
Allegro Con Brio
Allegretto
Air Et Danse Bacchanale
Farandole
Infernal Dance Of King Kastchei
O Fortuna
The Wedding Of Kije
Hurricane
Marche Slave, Op.31

Customer Reviews:

Good job.......2005-08-26

I remember when I was little, I had this cd, but i lost it. I bought a similiar type of one through TIme Life and decided to try the Classical Thunder one. I have like it so far.

Masterful!.......2005-06-15

This two CD set is magnificent. I got the set in the early 1990's when it was advertised on television, along with other releases in Time Life's set. I was struck by the interpretations of the conductors. Whenever I hear these pieces now, I judge them against this recording. Amazing selection as well. There are staples of orchestra repetoire, like Beethoven symphonies, but also gems that are not heard very often, like the Rimsky-Korsakov "Procession of the Nobles." A very impressive recording.

Great CD of Classical music's power pieces!.......2005-06-07

I got this CD when I was around 16 because I loved a lot of the music on this double CD set. As a student pursuing a Music Education major, it has been a great asset for my musically, and just great for listening to. I will drive on short trips and take this with me and blast it louder than the guy in the next car blasting rap music. I also take it skiing as it sets a great tempo down the mountain. This is a great CD for anyone that loves music.

Respighi: Pini di Roma/Feste Romane/Fontane di Roma

Average customer rating:

The Ultimate Roman Trilogy
Roman excellence
Wow.
Truly a Monumental Respighi Recording
Enjoyable Works!

Respighi: Pini di Roma/Feste Romane/Fontane di Roma

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Respighi - Ancient Aires and Dances / L.A. Chamber Orhcestra · Marriner
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Respighi: Pines of Rome, etc
Respighi: Church Windows, Brazilian Impressions/Simon
Symphonie Fantastique

ASIN: B0000041OT
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

PINI DI ROMA: Pines of Rome: I. I Pini di Villa Borghese
PINI DI ROMA: II. Pini presso una catacomba
PINI DI ROMA: III. I Pini del Gianicolo
PINI DI ROMA: IV. I Pini della Via Appia
Feste romane: Feste Romane: I. Circenses
Feste romane: II. Il Giubileo
Feste romane: III. L'Ottobrata
Feste romane: IV. La Befana
FONTANE DI ROMA: Foutains of Rome: I. La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba
FONTANE DI ROMA: II. La fontana del Tritone al mattino
FONTANE DI ROMA: III. La fontana di Trevi al meriggio
FONTANE DI ROMA: IV. La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto

Customer Reviews:

The Ultimate Roman Trilogy.......2006-04-20

Well, what can I say? Charles Dutoit's rendition of Respighi's Roman Trilogy ranks among the finest. The orchestral emotions give out a spine-tingling sensation. The sound quality is beyond excellent. Tension is high and tedium is low. I'd have to say congratulations to Decca/London for giving us this fabulous creation.

Pini di Roma: I first heard this in the movie Fantasia 2000, and I just had this feeling that the filmmakers cut out half of its entirety. When I heard this complete version, I was hooked. Its power and precision is strikingly beautiful. From the lively introduction to the gracious finale, this one is hard to hate.

Feste Romane: The most energetic of the three, it misses some familiarity from the other two Roman pieces, but it is still worth a listen. The First movement (Circenses) has a high level of good old apprehension, while the Fourth movement (La Befana) goes way deeper than that. For the second half third movement (L'Ottobrata), it has some of the same lovable atmosphere as from Pini del Gianicolo of Pini di Roma. Not the best of the three, but simply not the worst.

Fontane di Roma: The Italian flair and the massive sanguinity are both present here in this first piece of the Roman Trilogy. It's a beautiful phenomenon that has generated to a catchy musicality today. Precise, vigorous, soft, and exquisite at the same time.

This should be an absolute steal for those who are beginning to feel the Italian Impressionism through Ottorino Respighi. A+

Roman excellence.......2005-06-26

After long and arduous searching and listening, I have come to the conclusion that this is quite possibly the best available recording of the Roman triptych by Ottorino Respighi.

This comes not as a revelation but as a final assertion based on what I've heard and what I look for in fine recordings: this includes examining 'reference' (if there be fairness in naming such things) recordings the likes of Muti/Philadelphia, Bernstein/NYPhil, Reiner/Chicago, Ozawa/Boston, and others of the sort. I think all of them have exceptional qualities but something missing from them. For some reason, this particular recording of Dutoit with a very disciplined and rather 'on-fire' Montreal Symphony bests them all.

Whether it be in just intonation or in clarity from better digital recording to attention paid to every little nuance, OSM and Dutoit give us the most riveting account. The power is really there at the end of Pines of the Appian Way and one can feel the majesty and glory in the Fountains of Rome (especially in Fountain at Trevi at Mid-day... the low brass especially bass trombone are alive and kickin'). The sweet song of the nightingale is gorgeously present and dubbed in so well, you'd almost swear that the bird is in the studio with the orchestra.

I recommend and encourage everyone who wants to hear a supreme recording of the Roman cycle to snatch this recording up. It is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

Wow........2003-06-06

I never thought I'd hear a brass sound equal to that of the Chicago Symphony, but Charles Dutoit and the OSM do it right here. The OSM plays the Pines of Rome like I've never heard it before. As fantastic as the entire performance is, the final Pines of the Appian Way seems to dwarf the first three movements. One can visualize the slow, steady march of the Roman legions, coming closer, closer, and closer still. The OSM possesses and demonstrates the superb control required to give a convincing performance of this piece. They play the written "F"'s and still retain the purity and clarity of their sound. The last two or so minutes of it still send chills up my spine. I recommend this album highly to anybody and everybody.

Truly a Monumental Respighi Recording.......2003-01-26

As others have expounded, this is exquisite performance and recording. Dutoit and the Orchestra Symphony of Montreal deliver Pines of Rome with sensitive, passionate dynamics which are incredibly captured by this recording.

The instrument groups are crystal clear and pristine, yet the subtle movements deliver concert hall chills while listening.

This is of the top notch.

Enjoyable Works!.......2003-01-15

Not much more to say that others haven't said already.
These are very fine works, excellent sound and music.

Average customer rating:

WOW!
Respighi's Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals

Respighi: Pines Of Rome/Roman Festivals

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Respighi: Pini di Roma; Fontane de Roma; Feste Romane
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol
Handel: Messiah
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Brahms: Symphony 1 / Serenade 2 / Bernstein

ASIN: B0000062CY
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Pini di Roma: I. I Pini di Villa Borghese
Pini di Roma: II. Pini presso una catacomba
Pini di Roma: III. I Pini del Gianicolo
Pini di Roma: IV. I Pini della Via Appia
Feste Romane: I. Circenses
Feste Romane: II. Il Giubileo
Feste Romane: III. L'Ottobrata
Feste Romane: IV. La Befana

Amazon.com

This knock 'em, sock 'em orchestral spectacular is Leonard Bernstein at his charismatic best. There weren't many people in the music biz who even remembered these recordings (he made so many) before Sony reissued them on CD. As seems to be so often the case with Bernstein, he was able to bring an incredible amount of excitement and energy to an unbelievably wide range of music, but when it came to show stoppers like these, he was literally unbeatable. What's even more gratifying, the remastered sonics sport altogether outstanding impact and range--better in fact than most newer, digital recordings of the same music. A blast. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

WOW!.......2000-07-26

It is not often I am as stunned by a recording as much as I am in this case. These recordings, made 1968-1970, sound as good as any classical recording I've purchased ever. I have to point out the brass and percussion in particular as outstanding. The speeds tend to be on the quick side (especially Festivals), but I have never heard these works so alive. Granted, with some recordings Bernstein sometimes goes over the top and lets his enthusiasm get in the way of the music. Not here, however. Listen, for example, to the way the melody in "The Pines of the Via Appia" starts softly around three minutes into the piece and slowly builds to a stirring climax. "The Pines of the Janiculum" are also played sensitively. "Circenses" and "La Befana" are both played a shade faster than normal, but it lends a great deal of excitement to the music. The conclusion to Festivals is so fast it makes you admire the orchestra for simply being able to keep the rhythym. Certainly there are other excellent versions of these two works out there: Ormandy on RCA, Gatti on Conifer, and Jansons on EMI. However, I would have no problem putting this disc alongside them too. The performances themselves are worthy of five stars, but I have deducted one star for the short playing time of the disc: 46 minutes. You would think Sony could find something in the Bernstein archives to make the disc a better value. Incidentally, I am not sure what another reviewer means by it sounding like "an amateur orchestra". I would disagree.

Respighi's Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals.......2000-05-21

Excellent performance! The finale from Pines of Rome sounded very triumphant! And the finale from Roman Festivals sounded harsh and exciting.

The only problem is that it pretty much sounds like an amatuer orchestra.

If you don't like the sound of an amatuer orchestra, buy Toscanini's, Ormandy's, or Karajans instead.

This is one of my favorite CDs. To me, this CD is a masterpiece!

Respighi: Fontane Di Roma/Pini Di Roma/Feste Romane
Average customer rating:

Not bad but

Not very Roman

Not at all a Bad Performance with Sinopoli

Respighi: Fontane Di Roma/Pini Di Roma/Feste Romane

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Respighi | Respighi, Ottorino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (NY Philharmonic - Zubin Mehta) / Salome - Final Scene (Toronto Symphony - Andrew Davis)

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Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Bernstein: West Side Story; Symphonic Dances

ASIN: B000001GIF
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

Fontane Di Roma: I. La Fontana Di Valle Giulia All'Alba
Fontane Di Roma: II. La Fontana Del Tritone Al Mattino
Fontane Di Roma: III. La Fontana Di Trevi Al Mattino
Fontane Di Roma: IV. La Fontana Di Villa Medici Al Tramonto
Pini Di Roma: I. I Pini di Villa Borghese
Pini Di Roma: II. Pini Presso Una Catacomb
Pini Di Roma: III. I Pini Del Gianicolo
Pini Di Roma: IV. I Pini Della Via Appia
Feste Romane: I. Circenses
Feste Romane: Il. Giubileo
Feste Romane: III. L'Ottobrata
Feste Romane: IV. La Befana

Customer Reviews:

Not bad but.......2006-11-11

why would you buy this when you could buy Fritz Reiner's legendary performance with the CSO for less $$? I can't think of any reason.

When I got the Reiner CD, this one became a gift to a non-discriminating friend (who I hope doesn't read this)!

Not very Roman.......2006-04-17

I owned this CD for a few years and then it was off to the used CD store. I found the performances, while very well played by the New York Phil., simply dull. I think the late conductor took the music too seriously, playing it like Johannes Brahms. The passion and fire are simply nowhere to be found. If Maestro Sinopoli was trying to make this music better than it really is, he was making a mistake. Better to simply to play the music as it was intended. In other words, have fun with it.

Not at all a Bad Performance with Sinopoli.......2001-06-09

Both "Pines of Rome" and "Fountains of Rome" played by Sinopoli with the New York Phil lack a bit of musical and instrumental effect compared to Karajan with the Berlin Phil, recorded on the same company. On "Fountains of Rome", the orchestra is less expressive and more apathetic. One "Pines of Rome", the climatic movement is rather very slow, less bold and very loosely performed. However, I think both recording is okay. The "Roman Festivals" is performed almost like most regular performances, lacking energy a bit on the climax. Or is it that Bernstein's performance with the New York Phil on "Roman Festivals" is untraditionally very unique ,yet extremely exciting, with all the revealing sounds of the tambarines and the tam-tam?

Tracks:

Roman Festivals: Circus Games
Roman Festivals: The Jubilee
Roman Festivals: Harvest Festivals In October
Roman Festivals: Epiphany
Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Valle Giulia At Dawn
Fountains Of Rome: The Triton Fountain In The Morning
Fountains Of Rome: The Trevi Fountain In Mid-Day
Fountains Of Rome: The Villa Medici Fountain At Sunset
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of Villa Borghese
Pines Of Rome: Pines Near A Catacomb
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Janiculum
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Appian Way

Customer Reviews:

Unbeatable Roman Trilogy .......2007-02-12

This is my second recording of The Roman Trilogy by my favourite composer Ottorino Respighi. It is even preferable to my last one with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The sound quality is superior with a slight reverberation to the acoustic, which goes well with such atmospheric music. The brass playing is also terrific on this recording. Every time I listen to these masterpieces of orchestral colour something new is revealed, so I never tire of them. Rightly so, Gramophone magazine gave this recording a top recommendation when it was first released.

Terrific recording.......2003-10-11

I think, this is one of the best "Rome Trilogy" recordings...

Especially, The Festivals of Rome is excellent. This symphonic poem is the most joyful and most difficult link (for orchestras and conductors) of trilogy. But Enrique Batiz and His Royal PO are amazing, especially last movement of "Fetivals" (Epiphany)...

Pines of Rome is also very good. I was impressed especially 3rd movement. This movement tells about The Pines of Janiculum at night, and landscape is very impressive and a little scaring. And then music continues without a brake to 4th movement. This music tells about Pines of Appian Way. Julius Caesar and his Roman Army is passing on this way, because they were won a battle...

Highly recommended for all Respighi fans...

Quality regardless of price.......2000-10-16

Who says budget labels only hire (relatively) unknown orchestras? Here, Enrique Bátiz teams up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to produce one of the most preferred recordings of Respighi's Roman Trilogy in the catalogue right now. These three symphonic poems have long been orchestral favorites; the music not only requires great orchestral finesse but also creative interpretations. Bátiz and the RPO are all that and more. In this recording, the RPO exudes raw power resembling that of the Chicago Symphony under Reiner and Solti. At the same time, the British orchestra also displays great virtuosity not unlike George Szell's Cleveland Orchestra. On top of all the orchestral prowess, Bátiz offers a fun and insightful view to the music. Finally, for you audiophiles out there, I should add that the sound engineering is first rate. This recording would be among the top recommendations at any price. At Naxos price, however, it IS the top recommendation.

Respighi: Feste romane, Pini di Roma / Maazel, Cleveland Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Why people rave about the Cleveland Orchestra
Outstanding Sonics and Inspired Performance
Legendary Recording
Fasten your seatbelt
A Bit Disappointing "Festivals", but Wonderful "Pines"

Respighi: Feste romane, Pini di Roma / Maazel, Cleveland Orchestra

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies 1

ASIN: B00004TEV0
Release Date: 2000-07-18

Tracks:

Feste romane: Circenses - Circuses
Feste romane: Il giubileo - Jubilee
Feste romane: L'ottobrata - October festival
Feste romane: La Befana - Epiphany
PINI DI ROMA: I pini di Villa Borghese - At the Villa Borghese
PINI DI ROMA: Pini presso una catacomba - By a catacomb
PINI DI ROMA: I pini del Gianicolo - On the Janiculum
PINI DI ROMA: I pini della Via Appia - On the Appian Way
Suite from 'Le Coq d'or': King Dodon in his palace - Le tsar Dodon chez lui
Suite from 'Le Coq d'or': King Dodon on the battlefield - Le tsar Dodon en campagn
Suite from 'Le Coq d'or': King Dodon with the Queen of Shemakha - Le tsar Dodon chez la reine
Suite from 'Le Coq d'or': The marriage feast and lamentable end of King Dodon - La Noce et la fin pitoyable de Dodon

Amazon.com Classical Music Reviews

The Clevelanders play this program of dazzling showpieces to the hilt. In the Respighi works, their tender, quiet playing is as radiantly impressive as the color-soaked raise-the-roof sections of raw power and high decibels. The scene-painting in Respighi's Roman portraits is done to perfection, from the moonlit nocturnal picture of the Janiculum in Pines to the splashes of primary colors in the Circuses movement of Feste romaine. These performances transform tired warhorses into musically worthy experiences. The Suite from Rimsky-Korsakov's opera, Le Coq d'or, is equally brilliant. The Clevelanders demonstrate breathtaking virtuosity, and Maazel milks the sensuous score for all its worth. Maazel remade the Respighi works for Sony, repeating his achievement in first-class digital sound. But these 1976 and 1979 recordings were hi-fi demonstration material and the reissue, in Decca's 24/96 transfer process, yields nothing to recent recordings. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Why people rave about the Cleveland Orchestra.......2003-09-13

Heavens, what a sonic spectacular this is -- arguably the finest version of the gaudy "Feste Romane" ever recorded, and the mid-1970's sound needs no defense. Maazel just whips up a huge explosion of color, energy and detail, and the great Cleveland Orchestra shows why many discriminating listeners think this is one of the best ensembles in the world.

The "Pines" is also superb, even if it perhaps faces stiffer competition with so many other excellent versions available. But Maazel's pacing, coupled with the Cleveland musicians out in full force, makes this a contender for many "top" lists. I confess that the Rimsky-Korsakov suite, imaginative as it is, somehow hasn't hooked me as immediately as the Respighi works. But in any case, it is delivered with the same high-level playing, and Maazel deserves credit for reproducing the score's full spectrum.

While I like versions of "Pines" and "Feste" by Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra (EMI) and a budget version on Naxos with Batiz and the Royal Philharmonic, the overwhelming impact of this recording is hard to resist.

Outstanding Sonics and Inspired Performance.......2003-02-10

Looking for an outstanding performance of the The Pines of Rome, look no further. The Cleveland Orchestra and its outstanding brass section breathe life into this Orchestral showpiece. In addition, the transfer to CD preserves the incredible sonics of the original Decca analog recording.

Legendary Recording.......2002-09-25

Wanting a great recording of Pines of Rome, I surveyed the offerings and many suggested this is the best.

Have not heard the rest, but this is superb! It offers four movements orchestrating Roman settings where pines flourish. One in the midday sun, the next in twilight, the third of a nocturne nature introduces a nightingale as a nice touch. The finale, a Roman army triumphantly marching with a ominous conclusion.

The conductor and orchestra exemplify the balances providing great texture and clarity. The recording as others have noted from Decca is outstanding.

Enjoy the Rimsky-Korsakov offering with its exotic Oriental coloring in The Golden Cockerel. It has some wonderful offerings.

Fasten your seatbelt.......2001-01-23

Why can't Lorin Maazel always perform like this? These are showpieces that will knock your socks off. They're also sonically amazing. The reviewer below who says Bernstein is better has missed the point, I think: Yeah Lennie is more intense (though not really...he's just shriller and faster) in the outer sections of Festivals, but the inner sections, which are more contemplative and lyrical, are brittle and unfelt with Lenny, gorgeous with Maazel. (Hear the sumptuous Cleveland strings in the that close out part two, just before the mandolin movement enters!) If you want just loud thrills, the classical equivalnet of a hard rock band banging while you crank up the amplifier, go with Lenny. If you want shades and colors *and* a finale that will threaten your plaster, this is the one. (Maazel also uses a real glockenspiel for the churchbell, whereas Lenny flubs by with a combination triangle and piano note struck in unison.)

The Pines recording is also dazzling, with a very rich, almost spiritual middle two sections. The last movement here is a little trite maybe, but few conductors pull this off really well to my ears. (It actually works better *slower,* which gives it a greater majesty and a "finale" quality, but most conductors try to up the temperature by going in fast, and Maazel is no exception. Neither is Lenny, by the way.) This is a superb disc, and I'm thrilled Decca had the good sense to bring it to life on CD.

A Bit Disappointing "Festivals", but Wonderful "Pines".......2001-01-05

For "Roman Festivals", Maazel with the Cleveland Orchestra is pretty energetic, but I don't think not as much as Bernstein's performance with the New York Phil. You should buy his CD instead if you only want "Roman Festivals".

For "Pines of Rome", on the other hand, TWO THUMBS UP! The climax is superb! (But I also love the performance by Karajan with the Berlin Phil, and the one by Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra.) If you never heard of "Pines of Rome" before, then you should buy this CD, and feel the orchestral triumpth! (It is my very favorite music so far. If you love dynamic classical music, you will definitely love this music.)

Respighi: Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome/Roman Festivals
Average customer rating:

A musical wide-screen spectacular

Takes my breath away......

A great portal to teh future, but untrodden

In a word... awful.

Superb Respighi at unbeatable price.

Respighi: Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome/Roman Festivals

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000027XP
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

Pines Of Rome: Il pini di Villa Borghese
Pines Of Rome: Pini presso una catacomba
Pines Of Rome: I pini del Gianicolo
Pines Of Rome: I pini della Via Appia
Fountains Of Rome: La fontana di Valle Giualia all'alba
Fountains Of Rome: La fontana del Tritone al mattino
Fountains Of Rome: La fontana di Trevi al meriggio
Fountains Of Rome: La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto
Roman Festivals: Circenses
Roman Festivals: Il giubileo
Roman Festivals: L'ottobrata
Roman Festivals: La befana

Customer Reviews:

A musical wide-screen spectacular .......2007-02-13

This is another fantastic recording of these masterpieces, from the master of orchestral colour Ottorino Respighi. However the Royal Philharmonic/Batiz recording on Naxos is preferable to this one, in terms of sound quality and performance.

Takes my breath away.............2003-12-17

This was one of my first classical cd's, and I still have this deep emotional connection to it. I'm not a music historian, so I can't write the same review as our good Dr. Jacques. All I can say is this is some of the most beautiful music ever written. Flowing like water, swirling like a cloud, undulating like a weeping willow by a stream-all of these images come to mind with the gorgeous orchestrations of Ottorino Respighi. I think one of the reasons the Romantic era is my favorite is that, even though it is relatively simple in it's classical theory, it just plays with you and prolongs the resolution until you're just begging for the treat to come. For instance, in my favorite track I Pini Il Gianicolo, Respighi dances around the root like a mischevious fairy, then finally lets you down with a sweet sigh. The piano enters with a twinkle like the sparkling morning sun. The strings caress you like the hands of a lover. The nightingale chirps you to sleep as the piece pleads for you to reconnect with nature. I pini della Via Appia and La fontana di Trevi al meriggio are the most majestic pieces, in my opinion, and will give you a great taste of the bountiful brass you may desire. Someday I wish to compose something so beautiful. Long live the beauty brought forth by Ottorino and Elsa Respighi!

A great portal to teh future, but untrodden.......2003-08-11

To depict Rome is an interesting task. This aim classifies this music in the impressionistic tradition : to create an atmosphere that evokes a place, a vision, and behind it all, some older references. Very dark catacombs, brilliant birds, the glory and power of the Roman Empire, the delicacy of dawn or dusk on Roman fountains, the frenzy of the Triton, etc. But this music is more important than that. It also represents a transitory period in the history of western music, particularly of Italian music. To go beyond the brilliance turned recipe of the opera and to integrate the impressionistic trend so clearly represented by French composers, but also the expressive and descriptive current largely represented by the Russians or more generally by the Slavs. Even deeper Respighi, like d'Annunzio, tries to find old roots on which to build the new power of Italy. He will thus rediscover Monteverdi and many others and will develop a symphonic music for this new Italy led by Mussolini. That has little to do with fascism but it has a lot to do with a newly united nation that wants to conquer a position in the world. So Rome has to be the head of it, and old traditions from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance have to be the heart of it. That sounds at times eclectic but it gives a variety that can interest all Italians. We must also note that the inspiration of this music may come from the whole of Europe and thus it may try to take a universal dimension. The criticism we have to level at Respighi is that he did not develop enough his own creativity, he did not take the road he was at times showing and that should have led him to a completely different musical expression : the vision of a world in which man is always divided between his roots deeply embedded in traditions and his branches deeply involved in the transformation of history, the world and the birth of some unknown reality that some declare monstrous and some consider revolutionarily innovative.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan

In a word... awful........2001-05-31

This is really a pretty awful recording. If you don't mind awful recording technology and a horrible recording hall (a hotel ballroom, I believe), then you might like this CD. The pieces are of course, superb, and the performances are not horrible. The sound quality just kills this CD, though. It's really horrific - scratchy, noisy, with horrible presence and a mix that is far, far too bright. I literally had to turn the treble all the way down on my stereo. My advice: get the Chicago Symphony version of Pines and Fountains (with Reiner - and get their Pictures at an Exhibition while you're at it) and the Cincinnati Symphony version of Roman Festivals (with Lopez-Cobos). Those are really excellent albums, with both excellent playing and excellent recording.

Superb Respighi at unbeatable price........2001-03-18

Whatever opinion you might have of Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, there can be no denying Ormandy's mastery of the these Respighi tone poems. "Pines of Rome," "Fountains of Rome" and "Roman Festivals" were staples of Ormandy's repetoire during his years (1936-1980) as Philadelphia's music director, and these superb recordings are almost unrivalled (Fritz Reiner's are their only competitors). Even Bernstein and Karajan's recordings pale in comparison; the famous "Philadelphia sound" is perfectly suited to Respighi's music.

Each tone poem is beautifully performed, with the lushness and sensual qualities (not to mention bombast) one expects of Ormandy/Philadelphia. The clarity of texture and singing lines of Ormandy's interpretations are what set these apart from other recordings, including Reiner's more objective (but still dazzling) renditions. Though he stumbled often in Classical and Romantic music, in Strauss, Debussy, early Stravinsky, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Respighi, Ormandy was a master. These are excellent recordings at a spectacular price. Don't pass it up.

Respighi: The Fountains Of Rome/The Pines Of Rome/Feste Romane
Average customer rating:

Early stereo recordings revisited

Respighi: The Fountains Of Rome/The Pines Of Rome/Feste Romane

Manufacturer: Everest Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000023GQ
Release Date: 1995-02-28

Tracks:

The Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Valle Giulia At Dawn
The Fountains Of Rome: The Triton Fountain
The Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Trevi At Midday
The Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of The Villa Medici At Sunset
The Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Villa Borghese
The Pines Near A Catacomb
The Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Janiculum
The Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Appian Way
Feste romane: Circuses
Feste romane: The Jubilee
Feste romane: The October Festival
Feste romane: The Epiphany

Customer Reviews:

Early stereo recordings revisited.......2003-03-25

The Goosens version of Feste Romane was an early release on Everest Records (#3004) using 35mm wide, sprocketed recording tape putatively designed to capture the huge dynamic range of the tone poem. The transfer to CD isn't first class, but it does satisfactorily capture the energy of the performance. Like a recording of Eugene Ormandy's, this one omits the pipe organ called for in the score. This is (ironically) made up for in spades in Malcolm Sargent's rendering of the other two tone poems, Pines & Fountains, where the organ is arguably more prominent than on any other recording of these works. On the opening movement of Feste Romane (Circenses), Goosens emphasizes pain in the discords (substituting p-ff crescendos for sforzando attacks), his tempi are recklessly fast, and the percussionists were unbridled (esp. the gong player). Percussion takes center stage in the final movement (La Befana), where the xylophone and rattle drive the rhythms forward (virtually the opposite approach to Zubin Mehta's for this sequence). Unrestrained, unrefined, pounding Respighi for those who can appreciate Roman Festivals "with the gloves taken off." Goosens handles the more delicate sections well, bringing out contrasts and emotional depth. Sargent's reading of Pines and Fountains is, for the most part, valuable for revealing what Respighi had written for the pipe organ for these works - that instrument fairly thunders at the climax of Pines. The limitations of early stereophonic recording haven't been transcended in the remastering process, however -- some tinniness and compressed stereo image obtains.

Respighi: Roman Festivals, Brazilian Impressions, Pines of Rome

Average customer rating:

Respighi: Roman Festivals, Brazilian Impressions, Pines of Rome

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001Q9U
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Roman Festivals: Circuses
Roman Festivals: The Jubilee
Roman Festivals: The October Festival
Roman Festivals: The Epiphany
Brazilian Impressions: Tropical Night
Brazilian Impressions: Butantan
Brazilian Impressions: Canzone And Dance
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of Villa Borghese
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Near A Catacomb
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Janiculum
Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Appian Way

Amazon.com

Eduardo Mata had a special flair for music of this period, and his Respighi record is one of the best. The coupling is interesting. Whereas most recordings would include The Fountains of Rome, Mata chooses instead the evocative and rarely heard Brazilian Impressions. This exotic piece contains a particularly creepy musical illustration of a snake pit, followed by a zippy Brazilian dance finale. The other two works are performed with sledgehammer impact and uninhibited brilliance. Dorian's recording is an audiophile's dream, offering both analytical detail and warmth within a huge dynamic range. --David Hurwitz

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