Not the best music in the world, but impressive nonetheless.
Respighi is perhaps the greatest master of orchestral color in the late Romantic period since Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He is masterful at painting rich colorful tonal landscapes and modal harmonies in his tone pomes like The Pines of Rome. To achieve orchestral color he uses unresolved dominant cords such as 6ths, 7ths, and 9ths. He also stacks 4th and 5ths. This is what I love most about his chord structures, including the instances where this structure is slightly atonal or leaves me expecting to resolve to a traditional 3rd or 5th. Also listen to the brilliant use of pauses and solos where the instruments sing. Understanding the meaning of each section of this piece helps in hearing and “visualizing” the portrayed musical landscape -
At Borghese - Day; Joy of childhood;
Near Catacombs- Eternal darkness; Faith, Death, Remembrance;
Of the Janiculum - Moonlight; Reflection; The beauty of nature
Oh the Appian Way - Dawn; History; Destiny
Listen again with these landscapes in mind you will understand that it is the best music from a genius able to structure orchestral tones to paint musical landscapes you can feel and see as well as hear. That is also why audiophiles generally love this work for it showcases the harmonic capabilities of their system. I understand appreciating any composer or work from that composer is personal and subjective, but to classify it as “not the best music” is an injustice in my opinion.
