Ottorino Respighi Sinfonia drammatica

Ottorino Respighi’s hour-long Sinfonia drammatica, which he completed 1913/1914 just before the First World War broke out, appears to anticipate the impending tragedy. The brilliantly orchestrated composition (with six horns, four percussion, harp and organ) is the Italian composer’s answer to Mahler and Richard Strauss: it could easily have been composed in the German-speaking world. The music lives up to its name – it is dramatic in all respects, with a hint of nostalgia for a world that was on the verge of disappearing forever.

 

 VIDEO: Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936): Sinfonia Drammatica, per grande orchestra (P. 102) (1914) -- BBC Philharmonic diretta da Sir Edward Downes -- I. Allegro energico II. Andante sostenuto III. Allegro impetuoso - Tempo di marcia triste