Ottorino Respighi: Church Windows/Brazilian Impressions/Roman Festivals
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The Best "Church Windows" Out There
This was my first exposure to the four-movement tone poem "Church Windows," and López-Cobos's interpretation is still at the top, from the recordings I've heard. He's the only one who understands the importance and raw, naked power of the French Horn ostinato figure at the end. No other recording of this work gets it right. His lightning tempos in "Roman Festivals" should also not be missed. The ending is a whirlwind. I prefer the version of "Brazilian Impressions" on Geoffrey Simon's CD. If you can get a download of Simon's BI, and López-Cobos's CW and RF, you'll be better off.
I just wish the level of technical recording on this CD was better. There is somewhat of a lacking in the treble, as if the sound is a bit muted. This, however, is a minor complaint, especially considering the wonderful interpretation of two out of three of the works on this recording.
Simply Amazing
I will admit from the outset that Respighi is one of my top five favorite composers; but he has earned that place with works of beauty, power, creativity, feel and elegance.
Ottorino Respighi was known for his unabashed love of the classical and romance periods of classical music and these 3 compositions are unmistakably nostalgiac of those periods.
Church Windows, was composed as a tribute to the style of classical church works and thus named after stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible; oddly, and thus somewhat confusing to this fan of Respighi, these tone poems were written BEFORE the names were applied, which is in stark contrast to Respighi's habit of naming tone poems after that which inspired him (Roman Festivals and Brazilian Impressions on this disk being 2 examples; Fountains and Pines, the other 2 pieces from the Rome trio, are other examples). Regardless of the inspiration behind this work, all 4 pieces from Windows are marvelous, sometimes eerie, but always beautiful.
Brazilian Impressions was composed after Respighi and his wife made a trip to Rio to hear performances of his works and he found the musical styling of Latin America so intriguing that, almost as soon as he returned home, he composed these three poems as his expression of love for, and inspired by, the musical mode of the Brazilian music.
Roman Festivals, the most well known of these three compositons, completed Respighi's Rome Trilogy. Fountains of Rome (1916) and Pines of Rome (1923) preceded Festivals (1928), and the three are now what's most closely associated with Respighi. All 3 are superb and I highly recommend purchasing the other 2 to complete the trio; perhaps Respighi: Pines of Rome; Fountains of Rome; Metamorphoseon Modi XII which is a wonderful recording of the first two tone poems and also includes the Metamorphoseon Modi which are excellent, even if rarely known, as well. But I digress.
Roman Festivals seemed to be the feather in Respighi's cap; a wonderful composition that is pure chaos, controlled and perfect. I often hear Respighi described as bombastic, which may be somewhat accurate but leaves much about the music to explain. To put it simply, Respighi's work was that of a genius mad-man; the fourth movement from Festivals is sheer insanity on percussion and horns and is, in my ever so humble opinion, perhaps one of the most creative sounds in modern classical composition; certainly so, as far as finales are concerned.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos, have played these 3 pieces marvelously and the recording and mixing is near perfect. This is a beautiful recording.
Respighi was a wonder and his entire life's work should be celebrated.
Unimpressive Works by a Great Composer
I am a fan of many of Respighi's works, but I was not impressed by Brazilian Impressions or Church Windows. Both of the works struck me as unusually sluggish, with a lack of focus.
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