Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1894

Death

:

1996

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Elsa Respighi was a classical music composer born on March 26, 1894, in Berlin, Germany. She was the daughter of a German mother and an Italian father, who was a composer and musicologist. Elsa grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at a young age. Her father recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Elsa studied music at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin and later at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. She also studied composition with Max Bruch and Ottorino Respighi, whom she later married in 1919. Elsa and Ottorino had a close working relationship, and he often sought her advice on his compositions. Elsa's own compositions were influenced by Ottorino's style, but she also had her own unique voice. Her music was characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of orchestration. She wrote in a variety of genres, including chamber music, vocal music, and orchestral works. One of Elsa's most famous works is the "Concerto in modo misolidio" for piano and orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and premiered in 1925. The concerto is notable for its use of the misolidio mode, a scale that was used in ancient Greek music and was later revived by Ottorino Respighi in his own compositions. Elsa's concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with its intricate piano writing and lush orchestration. Another notable work by Elsa is the "Suite in E major" for string orchestra. The piece was composed in 1935 and premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Serge Koussevitzky. The suite is a charming and lyrical work, with its delicate melodies and graceful dance rhythms. It has become a staple of the string orchestra repertoire and is often performed today. Elsa also wrote several vocal works, including the "Cinque Liriche" for voice and piano. The songs are set to Italian texts by various poets and showcase Elsa's gift for melody and expressive writing. The songs are often performed in recitals and have been recorded by several prominent singers. Despite her talent and success as a composer, Elsa was often overshadowed by her husband's fame. Ottorino Respighi was one of the most prominent composers of his time, and his music was widely performed and recorded. Elsa's own compositions were often overlooked, and she struggled to gain recognition for her work. After Ottorino's death in 1936, Elsa devoted herself to promoting his music and preserving his legacy. She edited and published many of his unpublished works and wrote a biography of him, which was published in 1955. She also continued to compose, but her output decreased in later years. Elsa Respighi died on February 22, 1996, at the age of 101. She left behind a legacy of beautiful and expressive music, which is still performed and admired today. Her compositions are a testament to her talent and dedication to the art of music, and they serve as a reminder of the important role that women have played in the history of classical music.

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