Ottorino Respighi
Born in Bologna on 9 July 1879, Ottorino Respighi was at first a string player, even moving to Moscow to play in the opera orchestra. He studied composition with Rimsky-Korsakov, and later with Max Bruch in Berlin. Generally speaking, his music is expansive and elaborately scored, such as The Pines of Rome and its companion tone poems. Respighi died in Rome on 18 April 1936.
A selection of articles about Ottorino Respighi
Spotlight. Largely Traditional - Keith Bramich listens to Christmas music recorded in 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. '... an intriguing glimpse of the work of Robert Shaw and his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus from nearly fifty years ago.'
CD Spotlight. Glittering and Colourful - Orchestral music by Respighi, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'This is a lovely disc which will delight most listeners ...'
CD Spotlight. Lusciously Fragile - Music by Ottorino Respighi, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Davide Alogna performs the Concerto with unbridled dexterity ...'
CD Spotlight. Fierce Criticism - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Rodion Shchedrin and Ottorino Respighi. '... a fitting tribute to Mariss Jansons ...'
Somewhat Delayed Reviews - The Beauty of Italy Captured in Sound - Arabella Teniswood-Harvey plays piano music from Italy, impressing Richard Meszto
Ensemble. Colour and Energy - An uppity chicken, a cuckoo and much more ... Stravinsky, J S Bach, Respighi and Mendelssohn from Maddy Aldis-Evans, Benedict Holland, Frank Zielhorst and Sinfonia Viva impress Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Engagingly Springy - The European Union Chamber Orchestra in Nottingham impresses Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Diverse Elements - Music by Duruflé and Respighi attracts Gerald Fenech. '... passionate and wholly committed performance ...'
CD Spotlight. Explosive Classics - A Chandos orchestral compilation, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... the programme is as explosive as one can hope for.'
Ensemble. Full of Irony - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences a different 'Sleeping Beauty', Ottorino Respighi's 'La Bella Addormentata nel Bosco', at the Lyric Theatre in Cagliari
Dies Irae - George Colerick takes a look at secular and romantic uses of the old Latin hymn
Ensemble. An Interesting Approach - Beethoven, Guillaume Connesson and Respighi from Stéphane Denève and the Brussels Philharmonic, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Double Revival - Respighi's 'Sunken Bell' in Cagliari, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Musical Invention - Orchestral music by Ottorino Respighi excites Gerald Fenech. '... passionately performed and sumptuously recorded ...'
Ensemble. 'Fantasia' Around The World - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the big screen in Rome
CD Spotlight. Faultless Artistry - Maria Luigia Borsi sings Italian arias, recommended by the late Howard Smith. '... outstanding in every respect.'
LP Spotlight. Unusual Transparency - Orchestral music by Ottorino Respighi, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... first-class performances ... in excellent sound.'
Ensemble. Orchestral Showpieces - Cristian Mandeal conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Perfect Settings - New Year in Italy, by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Velvet Quality - Violin lullabies from Rachel Barton Pine, heard by Howard Smith. '... soporific, inescapable uniformity.'
CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Performances - Tasmin Little plays Strauss and Respighi, heard by Ron Bierman. '... a winning program ...'
Successful and Fulfilling - On the rediscovery of the Italian symphonic tradition, by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Luminous Scoring - Jongen, Dukas, Fauré, Respighi and Messiaen from Jonathan Scott, Cristian Mandeal and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
A Stunning Voice - A recital by Vuyani Mlinde impresses Robert Hugill
A Golden Treasury - Havergal Brian on European and American music, read by Patric Standford
Ensemble. A Memorable Night - The Israel Camerata Orchestra Jerusalem, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Lightness of Touch - Brahms and Strauss, heard by Patric Standford. '... a very fine performance by Joshua Pierce ...'
Ensemble. Great Fun - The Hallé Orchestra ends Nottingham's orchestral season, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Rousing Performance - Mendelssohn, Ravel, Larsen and Tchaikovsky in South Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Record Box. Rhapsodic Cello - Music by Bruce Cale, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall
CD Spotlight. Musical Enjoyment - Works by Respighi, recommended by Howard Smith. '... impressively alive to each facet of Respighi's aural colourations ...'
Ensemble. Youthful Talent - Contemporary music from the Guildhall Brass Band, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Aesthetic and didactic - Music by Respighi and Mussorgsky, reviewed by George Balcombe. 'Tadaaki Otaka conjures the composer's unique sound ...'
CD Spotlight. Interlinking resonances - A song recital by Malena Ernman, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... lively and charmingly refreshing ...'
Ensemble. Impressions of Italy - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Alasdair Neale and the New World Symphony
CD Spotlight. Orchestral panoply - Respighi's Pines and Fountains, appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'Fritz Reiner has the right qualities for this music.'
Ensemble. Chamber orchestra charms - Rare Hungarian music, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen