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Respighi Fountains of Rome

Classical Music / Symphonic Poems


Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome) is a 1916 symphonic poem written by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, now considered part of the "Roman Trilogy" of symphonic poems along with Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome, 1924) and  Feste Romane (Roman Festivals, 1928). It is the first orchestral work in this trilogy.  Each of the four sections depicts one of Rome's fountains during different periods of the day.  It was first performed on March 11, 1917, where it appeared at the Teatro Augusteo in Rome with Antonio Guarnieri as conductor. Toscanini conducted the work in Milan in 1918 with tremendous success.



Movements:

1. "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba"
2. "La fontana del Tritone al mattino"
3. "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio"
4. "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto"

First section: "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'Alba" shows this fountain at daybreak in a pastoral landscape, in which cattle pass during the morning.

Second section: "La fontana del Tritone al mattino", Naiads and Tritons dancing in the morning light, as figures of the Bernini fountain are seen nearby. Gods and goddesses using conch shells (used in many rituals as spiritual symbols) are portrayed by the French horn.

Third section:  Introduces "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" and is ushered in by a triumph giving news of a recent victory by the god Neptune.

Final section: "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" portrays a much more melancholic atmosphere as the brilliance of the sun fades.


Video Credit:

Ottorino Respighi - Fountains of Rome - Eugene Ormandy, 1957. YouTube, uploaded by mahlerman77, Accessed July 9, 2015.

Resource:

Fountains of Rome. en.wikipedia.org  


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