Rome (music: Respighi – Fountains of Rome)
Structure
***The first section, The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn (La fontana di Valle Giulia all’Alba), shows this fountain at daybreak in a pastoral landscape which cattle pass through during the morning.
***In the second section, The Triton Fountain in the Morning (La fontana del Tritone al mattino), depicts 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 section, The Trevi Fountain at Noon (La fontana di Trevi al meriggio), is ushered in by a triumph giving news of a recent victory by the god Neptune.
***The final section, The Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset (La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto), portrays a much more melancholic atmosphere, as the brilliance of the sun fades.
Instrumentation
Fountains of Rome calls for the following large orchestra:
- woodwinds: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets in B-flat and A, bass clarinet in B-flat and A, 2 bassoons
- brass: 4 French horns in F, 3 trumpets in B-flat and A, 3 trombones, tuba
- percussion: timpani, cymbals, triangle, bell in D, glockenspiel
- keyboards: organ (ad lib.), piano, celesta
- strings: 2 harps, violins i, ii, violas, violoncellos, double basses
It was also transcribed for piano duet by the composer.
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