Pini di Roma

Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) is considered one of the greatest Italian composers of the early 20th century. Respighi composed several operas, ballets, cantatas, chamber music and melodies for organ and piano. His unique style was profoundly influenced by the French Impressionists, Rimsky-Korsakov and Richard Strauss. However, he is best known for his symphonic triptych Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome), Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome) and Feste Romane (Roman Festivals). In the symphonic poem Les Pins de Rome, he shows himself to be a master of orchestration, using a wide variety of captivating timbres. The four-movement composition opens with the Pines of the Villa Borghese, where children are playing near the trees. After this introduction, Respighi abruptly moves on to Pines near a catacomb: the pines cast their shadow over the entrance to a catacomb, from which a melancholy Gregorian hymn rises. Les Pins du Janicule (The Pines of the Janiculum) is a nocturne in which the pines are silhouetted against the light of a serene moon. In the Pines of the Via Appia (Apian Way), day breaks: the tragic countryside is watched over by solitary pines. The music resurrects the glorious vision of a consular army marching towards the Capitol.