Ottorino Respighi

Ottorino Respighi in 1903

Respighi

Campo Marzio - Accademia di Santa Cecilia 1

Claudio Guastalla, Ottorino Respighi (1932) - Archivio storico Ricordi FOTO003266 detail

Respighi 1935

Ottorino Respighi tomb 02

Ottorino Respighi (9 July 1879 – 18 April 1936) was an eminent Italian composer, musicologist, and conductor, known for his richly descriptive orchestral music which drew inspiration from Italian history and landscapes. Respighi's work represents a synthesis of traditional Italian music and modern orchestral techniques, making him a pivotal figure in the early 20th-century classical music scene.

Biography

Ottorino Respighi was born in Bologna, Italy, into a musical family. His father was a piano teacher, which gave Respighi early exposure to music. He entered the Liceo Musicale in Bologna at a young age, where he studied violin, viola, and composition. After completing his studies, Respighi embarked on a career that would see him travel extensively, absorbing influences from Russian, German, and French music, which would later inform his compositions.

In 1913, Respighi moved to Rome, a city that would inspire much of his best-known work. He became a professor of composition at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia. During this time, he composed the first of his Roman trilogy, Fountains of Rome (1916), followed by Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928). These works, celebrated for their brilliant orchestration and evocation of the landscape and history of Rome, solidified Respighi's reputation internationally.

Respighi's interest in early music led him to study Italian music of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, resulting in compositions that revived interest in these periods. His arrangements of pieces by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina for the suite Antiche danze ed arie (Ancient Airs and Dances) are particularly notable examples.

Musical Style and Legacy

Respighi's music is characterized by its rich orchestral textures and vivid imagery. He had a profound understanding of orchestration, which allowed him to create music that was both innovative and deeply rooted in the Italian tradition. His ability to evoke scenes and moods through music, particularly in his tone poems, has been widely praised.

While Respighi is best known for his orchestral works, his oeuvre also includes operas, ballets, chamber music, and songs. His operas, such as La fiamma (1934), did not achieve the same level of success as his orchestral pieces, but they contribute to his reputation as a versatile and ambitious composer.

Respighi's influence extends beyond his compositions. As a teacher, he influenced a generation of Italian composers, and his interest in musicology and early music helped stimulate a revival of interest in these areas in Italy.

Selected Works

• Fountains of Rome (1916)
• Pines of Rome (1924)
• Roman Festivals (1928)
• Antiche danze ed arie (1917, 1923, 1932)
• La fiamma (1934)

Death and Legacy

Ottorino Respighi died in Rome on 18 April 1936. His death marked the loss of one of Italy's most distinguished composers of the early 20th century. Today, Respighi is remembered for his unique ability to blend the past with the present, creating music that is both evocative and timeless. His works continue to be performed and recorded worldwide, testament to their enduring appeal.