A new Respighi biography

[adriano]

That's just what I asked myself too. This disc is a somehow odd combination of hit pieces with lesser-known juvenile pieces. And why combine chamber string orchestra pieces with pieces for a large formation? Was Maestro Chailly perhaps afraid of the last movement of "Feste Romane"? :-) A few conductors told me that its fast tempo, syncopations and rhythm changes are quite difficult to stand through. But Chailly has also conducted "Le Sacre"... And there are also conductor who do not really like "Feste Romane"...

Next year, incidentally, I will issue a new edition of my "International Respighi Discography" - in the form of an online version easy to consult and with searching system. Already now I shudder at all the (too) many new recordings published since the last (1996) edition...

[TerraEpon]

Oh drear, there is more news about Respighi:

Another CD with (in my opinion totally unnecessary) four-hand versions of "Fountains and Pines of Rome" and "Ancient Airs":

Unnessary for you maybe, i think it's a pretty enjoyable disc *shrug*

[adriano]

@ TerraEpon
Unnecessary things can also be enjoyable :-)

Anyway, all what I chatter in here is to be taken as an expression of (free) personal opinion. However, it would have been more useful if the two pianists would be recording something from Respighi's original piano output (no matter for how many hands).

There is, for example, a lovely and amusing (original) 4-hands suite ("Sei piccoli pezzi") based on folksongs from various countries (I made an orchestral version of it). Or a lovely Waltz in C sharp minor - not to mention a funny "Gösdemlan" ("Overture for 4 hands piano") parodizing Bologna's singing street vendors of melon skins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-yaoIxHk00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kne1TmkU00c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KruFSSlFIKo


And - to cause more *shrugs* perhaps - I dare to add: enough of Antiche Danze ed Arie, no matter if original or transcribed :-)

[TerraEpon]

....you know what? I didn't actually look at the link you gave and thought it was a DIFFERENT recent Respighi four hands disc:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CP7J53/?coliid=I2GC3RR3STM7N3&colid=3N33M15OIWKQA&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Which in fact DOES have 'Sei piccoli pezzi' on it....and the same four other works.

[adriano]

No problem. We have (besides the discussed new one and the one you mention) even 7 more CDs with Respighi's four-hand piano music:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Musica-Pianoforte-Quattro-Tiziana-Moneta/dp/B000035Q4G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=respighi+tiziana+moneta&qid=1599396362&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Respighi-Musiche-pianoforte-quattro-mani/dp/B00IKUCNXY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=respighi+massimo+palumbo&qid=1599396414&sr=8-1
(This includes "Sei piccoli pezzi and the two other four-hand pieces - see my Youtube quotes)

https://www.amazon.com/Piano-4-Hands-Ottorino-Respighi/dp/B000GQNJSS
(also with "Sei piccoli pezzi")

https://www.amazon.de/Music-4-Hand-Piano-Martucci/dp/B000003XLP
(also with "Sei piccoli pezzi")

https://www.discogs.com/de/Tony-Lenti-Mary-Ann-Lenti-Busoni-Casella-Respighi-Goetz-Forgotten-Piano-Duets-Vol-1/release/14317620
(ibidem)

https://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Duo-piano-Classical_000000000059708/item_Works-For-Duo-Piano-respighi-Ravel-Poulenc-Etc-Moretti-Oliviero_1211617
(ibidem)

In my Respighi Discography I also have datas on:
LP Orion (1979: duo Schoettler and Dye)
CD Sony (2002): Tal Y. & Groethuysen
(cannot find them in the internet)

The world premiere of "Sei piccoli pezzi" may have been on an LP of the "Four Hans Music" label, featuring pianists I. Beyer and H. Dagul

And, last but not least, I too I did produce a CD recording of "Sei piccoli pezzi" (on my own label in 1991):

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Ottorino-Respighi/dp/B001GENXIU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1599397916&refinements=p_32%3ARudolf+am+Bach&s=music&sr=1-1

It's the Youtube link in my previous posting. To anyone interest I can send free copies :-)

[Jonathan]

I think there is another 4 hand recording in the Toccata Classics pipeline - as part of their Complete Respighi piano music series too.

[adriano]

Yes, thanks Jonathan, I've heard about this too. I will buy only after completion of the series :-)