Fountains of Rome

Donald Macleod follows Respighi to Rome, where he takes up a teaching post and begins to make important contacts.

This week, we’re invited to explore the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino Respighi. The colourful inventiveness of his most popular music was often inspired by images, places or stories, like his trio of ‘Tone Poems’: Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals. These works and others were frequently championed by celebrated conductor, Arturo Toscanini, and Respighi rose to become one of the leading Italian composers of the 20th century. He remains hugely popular with orchestras and audiences today. Respighi’s trademark orchestral brilliance betrays the influence of his Russian mentor, Rimsky-Korsakov. He was also fascinated by early music and sometimes incorporated antique styles into his works. In this series, Donald Macleod explores Respighi’s life and music from different perspectives, including his associations with Bologna, Rome and the USA, the important presence of his wife, Elsa, and also his complicated relationship with Toscanini.

Respighi became frustrated with the lack of opportunities in Bologna, so when he was offered a new teaching post in Rome, he snapped it up. Even so, he frequently returned to Bologna, where he found the peace of mind he needed to compose. Rome would influence Respighi in many ways, not least as the place he first encountered his future wife Elsa. The city also served as the inspiration for several tone poems. The initial reception for his Fountains of Rome was poor, but once it was taken up by Toscanini, interest in Respighi began to grow.

Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1, P. 109 (Balleto detto “Il conte Orlando”)
Sinfonia 21
Richard Hickox, conductor

Il tramonto, P. 101
Anna Caterina Antonacci, soprano
Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège
John Neschling, conductor

Fountains of Rome, P. 106
Sinfonia of London
John Wilson, conductor

Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110 (excerpt)
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales