Ottorino Respighi, “Church Windows” (Vetrate di Chiesa)
Following the great success “The Fountains of Rome” and “The Pines of Rome”, Respighi offers further proof of his supreme orchestral mastery with his set of “Four Symphonic Impressions, Church Windows” (1927).
Movements:
1. La fuga in Egitto
2. San Michele Arcangelo
3. Il Mattutino di Santa Chiara
4. S. Gregorio Magno
(Composition Year 1925-26)
Respighi held a lifelong fascination for early music and in middle age composed several works that look back to earlier eras, e.g., the “Ancient Airs and Dances”, “The Birds”, and the “Concerto Gregoriano”. “Church Windows” belongs to this group and makes use of fragments of Gregorian chant, incorporating melodies and harmonic structures from the older modes of the church. These modes are contained in a modern orchestral context, effectively marrying ancient and contemporary means of musical expression.
The subject of Church Windows derives from traditional Italian religious scenes as viewed through the magnificent stained glass frescoes of the church.
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Manfred Honeck.
Category
Music
License
Standard YouTube License