Respighi - Gli Uccelli ("The Birds") - (2/2)

Yet another of Respighi's wonderful works that receives little attention on YouTube...
Respighi's love of music from the 17th and 18th Centuries often inspired his work; Ancient Airs and Dances would be the most significant example of this mimicry.

"Gli Uccelli" (The Birds) was heavily influenced by compositions of the past; pieces which were composed as 'bird-pieces'. In 1927 Respighi composed a 5 piece Suite based upon compositions which were inspired by birds; the work was first performed the same year in Brazil (where Respighi conducted and, incidentally, during his visit, was inspired to write "Brazillian Impressions"; please, see my other video posts for those three amazing toen poems).

The fourth movement, L'Usignuolo (The Nightingale), is based upon an anonymously written 17th Century melody; the piece allows us to hear the Nightingale as it murmurs and coos softly.

The fifth and final movement in the Suite, Il cucù (The Cuckoo), is, like the the Prelude, based upon a keyboard piece by Bernardo Pasquini. A spirited conclusion to the suite, the bird "cuckoos" throughout; Respighi also appended a coda (at the end, obviously) that reprises the various bird-calls from all the movements.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs under Louis Lane.

Enjoy!

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• Uccelli
• Suite
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• Birds
• Fourth
• Fifth
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• Lusignuolo
• Nightingale
• Il
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• Atlanta
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• Louis
• Lane

[amceagle1]

Mr. Bill Stewart;

I bought "The Birds" & "Pines of Rome" on LP's & 2-track open reel in the early 70's. (This video rendition is excellent! accept I can't stand digital or MP3 music) Classical music is the music of God's influence on the mind of Man. I hope your 'views' run up to the thousands soon on this one. Check also "Gabriel Faure' Pavane op-50" & "Richard Wagner-Elsa's procession to the cathedral".

[billystewart4]

Many thanks for the kind note.

Yes indeed, classical is the music of God. I believe Sibelius put it best when he wrote, "Music is, for me, like a beautiful mosaic which God has put together. He takes all the pieces in his hand, throws them into the world, and we have to recreate the picture from the pieces".

I write down or all of my favorite composer quotes (odd, I know).

Faure's Pavane is spectacular both for voice & orchestra and orchestra alone. I WILL check out the Wagner.

[azzz09zzza]

Can hear the Handel influence

[XGalaxy4U]

I heard this in my sleep one morning. I awoke when it started playing and hit my alarm clock. 10 minutes later I woke again and put my coffee on. I was sitting in my chair when I realized it was still playing. I wrote it down and found it here on the internet. It makes me think of our nation’s capital. May be it reminds me of my childhood visit. Yeah

[MsPandaRosa]

Anybody ever hear the Koto version of this? Gives a quite glorious sound.

Heard it at my old college Earlham.

[alger3041]

This happens to be, despite the indication (2/2), the latter two, the fourth and fifth movements, of this five movement suite, I still enjoyed listening to it.. Very good performance.

Only please change the title on it so that people know what they're listening to.

It is NOT the second movement with the oboe solo.

[wertuy6785]

listened to this while doing my homework. I got it done really fast! Thanks Respighi!

[magicalfairiesmoon]

I first bought Resphigi's Ancient Airs And Dances when I was a teenager; whilst my friends were raging at the Disco I used to stay home and listen to it contently....

[XXXPolemideXXX]

ben fatto!

[jos53cor]

Maravillosa musica gracias por compartirla...

Saludos desde Mexico.

[zsparling]

So ethereally beautiful..

[perla51]

Simply splendid!!!!!! Perla.