Fontane di Roma
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Fontane di Roma (Italian "Fountains of Rome") is a 1916 work by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, now considered part of the Roman Trilogy of symphonic poems along with Feste Romane and Pini di Roma. Each of the four movements is dedicated to one of Rome’s fountains during different periods of the day and night. At first jeered by critics during its premiere[citation needed], this work has later become one of the most eminent examples of the symphonic poem.
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[edit] Orchestration
Fountains of Rome is scored for a medium-sized romantic orchestra. Respighi calls for the following:
- Woodwinds
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- English horn
- 2 Clarinets in A, B-flat
- Bass clarinet in A, B-flat
- 2 Bassoons
[edit] Movements
- 1. "La fontana di Valle Gulia" (The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn)
- 2. "La fontana del Tritone al mattino" (The Triton Fountain in the Morning)
- 3. "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" (The Trevi fountain at noon)
- 4. "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" (The Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset)
[edit] Descriptions
- The first movement "La fontana di Valle Gulia" shows this fountain at daybreak in a pastoral landscape, in which cattle pass during the morning.
- In the second movement - called "La fontana del Tritone al mattino" show Naiads and Tritons dancing in the morning light, as figures of the Bernini fountain are seen nearby. Gods and goddesses using conch shells are portrayed by the French horn.
- The third movement introduces "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" and is ushered in by a triumph giving news of a recent victory by the god Neptune.
- The final movement, "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" gives a much more melancholic atmosphere, as the brilliance of the sun fades.
