Composer

:

Ottorino Respighi

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

ca. 1917

Average_duration

:

14:43

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"Fontane di Roma" (Fountains of Rome) is a symphonic poem for piano, four hands, composed by Ottorino Respighi in 1916. The piece was premiered in Rome on March 11, 1917, with Respighi himself and his wife, Elsa Olivieri Sangiacomo, performing the piano duet. The work is divided into four movements, each depicting a different fountain in Rome. The first movement, "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba" (The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn), portrays the peaceful atmosphere of the fountain at dawn. The second movement, "La fontana del Tritone al mattino" (The Triton Fountain in the Morning), is a lively and energetic depiction of the fountain's water jets and the triton's trumpet calls. The third movement, "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" (The Trevi Fountain at Midday), is the most famous and popular of the four. It begins with a solemn and majestic theme, representing the grandeur of the fountain, before transitioning into a lively and joyful section, depicting the hustle and bustle of the midday crowds. The movement ends with a return to the solemn theme, representing the timeless beauty of the fountain. The final movement, "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" (The Fountain of Villa Medici at Sunset), is a serene and peaceful depiction of the fountain at sunset. The music gradually fades away, representing the end of the day and the tranquility of the evening. Respighi's "Fontane di Roma" is characterized by its vivid and colorful orchestration, which he later adapted for the piano duet version. The piece is also notable for its use of programmatic elements, with each movement depicting a specific fountain and its surroundings. Overall, "Fontane di Roma" is a beautiful and evocative tribute to the fountains of Rome, and a masterpiece of early 20th-century Italian music.

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