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Post by MartinT on Jun 6, 2022 20:01:37 GMT
June 2022: Respighi - Pines of Rome (1924)If you hadn't known that Respighi wrote much of his music while Hollywood was building a movie empire, you soon would after listening to some of his most well known pieces. Many of them sound like soundtracks to a film that never was and, rather like Strauss with his tone poems, Respighi had his 'sound pictures'. Pines of Rome, written in 1924, represents one of the pinnacles of his creative talent, combining musical visuals with his well acknowledged mastery of orchestration. Just close your eyes and let the imagery form in your mind. I have chosen this recording as it has long been my favourite and I have had it on CD almost since CDs were first issued. The recording is from 1985 and the Atlanta SO are in good form while the organ, one of the largest in the world, contributes some room shaking deep pedals just where they are needed, especially in the Pines Near a Catacomb. Please give this a try, you don't even have to be a classical fan to contribute and express an opinion.  open.qobuz.com/album/r87zn48vz6x4a
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Post by Slinger on Jun 6, 2022 20:09:10 GMT
I haven't listened to that in ages. It'll be something to look forward to.
[EDIT]
Having had a quick check I have the choice of Batiz with the Royal Phil, Dutoit with the Montreal Symphony, and Dorati with the Minneapolis Symphony.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 6, 2022 20:27:32 GMT
The Dutoit is a really good performance although the organ is a little muted. Still good all round.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 6, 2022 20:38:39 GMT
I have the Telarc recording, look forward to getting reaquainted.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 7, 2022 10:11:03 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Jun 7, 2022 10:46:12 GMT
"Telarc gets a big, glittery sound for Louis Lane and the Atlanta Symphony, brilliantly engineered to encompass the spatial brass in the Pines finale. Trevi is very exciting with its surging brass ejaculations, there’s a massive crescendo in Catacombs and a top-quality clarinet in the Janiculum episode, too." Good - because the above album is my choice and it's the one I want everyone to listen to  |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 9, 2022 12:19:23 GMT
So, just listening to Pines of Rome for now.
Tk1 has such a sprightly start whereby one is launched headlong into this technicolour world. You feel like the instruments glide and dance through the score like birds darting round the pines in a Roman breeze.
Tk2 - restrained, noble and not wanting in atmosphere. The gradual crescendo is beautifully handled.
Tk3 has that gorgeous clarinet solo followed by utterly seductive technicolour playing from all. A sumptuous Hollywood allure to it, so beguiling and captivating.
Tk4 has that super slow burn leading up to a majestic climax of successive fanfares. Gloriously inspired music, I just love it. Not sure what else one could want from this.
I can't comment on sound quality as listening on headphones.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 9, 2022 20:52:30 GMT
Pines of Rome has been featured in several film soundtracks and has influenced a number of film score composers, including Basil Poledouris in his 1982 music for Conan the Barbarian!  Not surprising when you consider how colourful and evocative it is. If you enjoy film music why not give this a try and tell us what you think? |
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Post by John on Jun 10, 2022 17:13:36 GMT
This is not my thing so I don't like voting. The first movement I just don't get. The other movements are a bit more melodic but just do not grab me.
When it comes to classical I am quite fussy with what I like
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 11, 2022 13:17:48 GMT
This is the fascinating thing - it's like all our individual assessments of what constitutes 'sound quality' can be wildly different from person to person listening to the same track, the same applies to the music itself. I get all kinds of images listening to Respighi, some or none of which others might get - I feel myself getting drawn into the Roman landscape. The music has a reverence for nature that borders on the pantheistic for me but I don't know what Respighi's leanings were in that regard.
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Post by John on Jun 11, 2022 13:23:50 GMT
Music is such a personal thing. I just can not relate to it I will try again on my system rather than my headphones
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Post by MartinT on Jun 11, 2022 14:27:45 GMT
The first movement I just don't get. The other movements are a bit more melodic but just do not grab me. The first movement is Respighi at his most dissonant and 20th century. I hear it as the sparkle of the sun beaming through between the pines, a glorious view of sun, glittery raindrops and magnificence all around. From the second movement onwards, there is more darkness, an amalgam of the menace that the land has seen, battles won and lost, victory seized. just my visualisation, you understand. You really need speakers with some bass as the organ underpinnings are an integral part of the music. |
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Post by John on Jun 11, 2022 14:47:17 GMT
Perhaps it not possible for me to appreciate this as I am missing some of those low bass notes. The system is just not designed for that.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 11, 2022 15:16:47 GMT
It's not about the system - I was listening on headphones no probs... Maybe the music just doesn't inspire you, which is absolutely fine!
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Post by John on Jun 11, 2022 16:12:26 GMT
My headphones are good enough to give a taste of the system, so I think you are right, Jules.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2022 9:09:45 GMT
There must be a few more people willing to listen to this and comment?
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Post by John on Jun 20, 2022 9:41:18 GMT
I tried on the big system. Sorry dose not engage me. I often like film scores and music that takes me on journey and reading Jules and Martin feedback it dose it for them, but with me just leaves me cold.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2022 11:03:48 GMT
Thanks for trying, John.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 21, 2022 10:02:27 GMT
There must be a few more people willing to listen to this and comment? Indeed - c'mon chaps, it's not a long work and may surprise you ... |
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Post by Slinger on Jun 21, 2022 15:31:59 GMT
It's a piece I've always loved since Jeanette introduced me to it. I've given it a "four," but only because I didn't round up. Almost a five.
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