THE WEST VALLEY SYMPHONY OF UTAH

PRESENTS

OTTORINO RESPIGHI’S

PINES OF ROME

Saturday, March 19, 2016 – 7:30pm

Utah Cultural Celebration Center

1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84119

The West Valley Symphony of Utah presents: “Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi, with Music Director Donny Gilbert, Saturday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m.

Though Respighi was schooled in his native Bologna, Ottorino Respighi started his career in earnest as an orchestral viola player in Russia, where he had the opportunity to study with Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, renowned as a master of orchestral color. Further work ensued in Berlin, with Max Bruch, before Respighi returned to Italy, where he would make his mark. Written in 1923-24 The Pines of Rome “uses nature as a point of departure, in order to recall memories and visions. The centuries-old trees which dominate so characteristically the Roman landscape become testimony for the principal events in Roman life.”

The Pines of the Villa Borghese (Allegretto vivace)—Children are at play in the pine groves of the Villa Borghese, dancing the Italian equivalent of “Ring around a Rosy.” They mimic marching soldiers and battles. They twitter and shriek like swallows at evening, coming and going in swarms. Suddenly the scene changes.

The Pines Near a Catacomb (Lento)—We see the shadows of the pines, which overhang the entrance of a catacomb. From the depths rises a chant, which echoes solemnly, like a hymn, and is then mysteriously silenced.

The Pines of the Janiculum (Lento)—There is a thrill in the air. The full moon reveals the profile of the pines of Gianicolo’s Hill. A nightingale sings.

The Pines of the Appian Way (Tempo di Marcia)—Misty dawn on the Appian Way. The tragic country is guarded by solitary pines. Indistinctly, incessantly, the rhythm of unending steps. The poet has a fantastic vision of past glories. Trumpets blare, and the army of the Consul bursts forth in the grandeur of a newly risen sun toward the Sacred Way, mounting in triumph the Capitoline Hill.

The West Valley Symphony, now in it’s 25rd season is an all-volunteer orchestra of nearly 60 musicians. For over 25 years, the orchestra has performed 3-5 concerts each year.

Admission is Free. No tickets required www.westvalleysymphonyutah.org. For additional information, contact Eric Kartchner (801) 746-0792.