Composer

:

Ottorino Respighi

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1915

Average_duration

:

16:03

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Ottorino Respighi's "Fontane di Roma" (Fountains of Rome) is a symphonic poem that was composed in 1916. It premiered on March 11, 1917, in Rome, Italy, under the direction of Bernardino Molinari. The piece is part of a trilogy of symphonic poems that also includes "Pini di Roma" (Pines of Rome) and "Feste Romane" (Roman Festivals). "Fontane di Roma" is divided into four movements, each of which depicts a different fountain in Rome. The first movement, "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba" (The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn), begins with a soft and mysterious introduction that gradually builds to a powerful climax. The music then becomes more tranquil, evoking the peacefulness 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 scherzo that captures the playful spirit of the fountain. The music is full of rhythmic vitality and features a prominent horn solo. The third movement, "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" (The Trevi Fountain at Midday), is the emotional heart of the piece. It begins with a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The music gradually builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a peaceful coda. The final movement, "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" (The Fountain of Villa Medici at Sunset), is a serene and contemplative piece that brings the work to a peaceful conclusion. The music is characterized by lush harmonies and a sense of tranquility. Overall, "Fontane di Roma" is a masterful work that showcases Respighi's skill as an orchestrator and his ability to evoke vivid images through music. The piece is notable for its use of colorful orchestration, lush harmonies, and evocative melodies. It remains a popular work in the orchestral repertoire and is frequently performed by orchestras around the world.

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