Ottorino Respighi
Ottorino Respighi's music moves between the orchestral blaze of his Roman tone poems and a quieter strain of art song and piano writing steeped in older Italian melody. Scene, colour and chant sit close to the surface of the score.
Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals made his name through vivid programmes and full orchestral sonority. Beside them stand operas, ballets, chamber works and free transcriptions of sixteenth- to eighteenth-century sources, among them the Ancient Airs and Dances suites. Songs such as Nebbie, Notte and Contrasto turn inward: mournful lines, rising and falling contours, and a controlled lyric weight rather than display. The Three Preludes on Gregorian Melodies fold plainchant into dense yet lucid piano textures that need stamina, balance and clear voicing. Across genres the ear is drawn to atmosphere first: water, pines, night, festival noise, then the older modes he loved to rework.
Compositions by Ottorino Respighi appear on
Carpe Diem
This recording celebrates the ongoing attraction of Italy and especially Rome as a place of artistic pilgrimage and inspiration.
Moonlight Reflections
A recital album full to the brim with exquisite art song, this recording is a compilation of hidden treasures and classic favourites performed by Opera Australia star, Stacey Alleaume.