Vetrate di chiesa / Impressioni Brasiliane / Rossiniana

"OK, so we all know the evergreen Respighi showpieces The Pines of Rome and The Fountains of Rome. Here, JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo Philharmonic forces set out to prove that the composer is no two-hit wonder. Prove it they do, in the most enjoyable of fashions, exploring the vivid Respighian worlds of church windows, Rossini tributes and images from Brazil". - Editor's Choice, Gramophone Magazine Feb 2008

Although Respighi's reputation rests on the justly celebrated trilogy of Roman tone poems (Naxos 8.550539), he also wrote a number of distinguished works in other forms. The four symphonic impressions Vetrate di chiesa (Church Windows) began life as Tre preludi sopra melodie gregoriane for piano (Naxos 8.553704), with the addition of a fourth movement to make a symphonic suite. Making full use of indigenous melodic and rhythmic shapes, Impressioni brasiliane (Brazilian Impressions) are a musical snapshot of the composer's visit to Brazil in 1927. Rossiniana, Respighi's orchestration of piano 'trifles' by Rossini, is one of his most brilliantly and colourfully scored works. It concludes with a wonderfully infectious Tarantella.