Hyperion Records

Born in Bologna in 1879, Respighi frequented its Liceo Musicale and attended Martucci’s composition class from which he eventually graduated. In the meantime he also spent a brief but fruitful period studying with Rimsky-Korsakov. If the latter had a great influence on Respighi’s handling of the orchestral palette, under Martucci he was able to develop his gift for easy-flowing melody, which is the stamp of genuine Italian style. His output was considerable: chamber, vocal and symphonic music, several symphonic poems, transcriptions, concertos and, of course, operas.

from notes by Alfredo Bonavera © 1988