Respighi - The Birth of Venus - Three Botticelli Pictures (3/3)

Ottorino Respighi, best known for his Roman Trilogy ("Fountains of Rome", "Pines of Rome" & "Roman Festivals") and, perhaps, slightly less for his "Ancient Airs & Dances" which were based upon Baroque works for Lute, Archlute, Viol, and Guitar, offered far more for the Classical music lover to appreciate.

What has been lost, from what I have seen, is perhaps one of the most beautiful compositions ever created, "Three Botticelli Pictures", a composition of 3 pieces based upon 3 paintings by the Renaissance master painter Sandro Botticelli.

The standout of this triptych is this, the 3rd and final piece, 'The Birth of Venus', presented here, from what I can tell, for the first time on YouTube (a shame it took so long; but it is here now!).

This is one of the most beautiful, sensuous and vividly drawn tone poems I have ever heard. It has long been a favorite of mine. Respighi, though he lacks the popularity of many of the turn of the century composers, earned the right to be mentioned alongside greats like Debussy (my favorite) and Sibelius (2nd only to Debussy in my books).

Listen to this masterpiece and tell me that Respighi was not a genius. Then explore his less and more popular works and find a gem that has remained buried for far too long.

Performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra of London and conducted by Geoffrey Simon, this is my favorite version of the piece (I have at least 10 versions).
Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ottorino
• Respighi
• Three
• Botticelli
• Paintings
• Pictures
• Birth
• Venus
• Trittico
• Botticelliano
• London
• Philharmonia
• Geoffrey
• Simon
• Classical
• Music

[mrfredlicurgo]

Outstanding man, thanks for sharing!!!

[billystewart4]

@mrfredlicurgo

My pleasure. Easy to share what we love...

[4165mc]

Thank you for posting it. It is sublime indeed especially the way it builds around 2.00 onwards.

[billystewart4]

@4165mc

Very welcome. Respighi was a unrecognized master of Baroque reborn, in my humble opinion...

[JCHBONNET]

Respighi is a true genius. Unfortunately, he did not clearly condemn Mussolini's fascist regime between the wars and his works were unfairly neglected thereafter. Florent Schmitt suffered the same fate. Art should not be mixed with politics.

[billystewart4]

Agreed,

It is unfortunate that Respighi's political views (or lack of statements against the tyranny of Italy) led to such a poor appreciation for his genius.

I have a large collection of Respighi and, despite his possible ties to fascism, still appreciate the music of a genius of composition.

Thanks for sharing!

[IncaRoad01]

Oh, and Venus it hot. I always had a thing for redheads ...

[Zxc1011123]

Why she standing on a shell over the sea?

[4165mc]

Beautiful and sad. I first heard this after a woman requested it on classic fm many years ago. she wrote a letter in which she talked about the death of her son and how this piece of music meant so much to her and reminded her of her son. I am haunted by her story whenever i hear it this music.

[lamazopa21]

I'm quite partial to Respighi's music in general but this Botticelli Triptych is surely a masterpiece. It has beautiful flowing melodic lines and rich yet subtle harmony and orchestration.

[EsotericMaestro]

@JCHBONNET - My sentiments exactly! Musical gifts must be treated as separate entities, even if the artists in question were/are guilty (whether fully, partially, or unwittingly).

[EsotericMaestro]

@JCHBONNET - However, I am sure he was not pro-fascist per se. He just could not bring himself to leave his beloved Italy. He was not all that naïve. For instance, he did actively and lovingly advise Toscanini to leave Italy for his own safety.

[jariworld]

Beautiful movement .