Ottorino Respighi

12.  Which work of Respighi did the composer consider to be the culmination of his large-scale orchestral compositions? 

Feste Romane (Roman Festivals), composed in 1928, was the work that Respighi considered to be the culmination of his large-scale orchestral compositions. Upon finishing the work, Respighi believed he had extracted the fullest possible orchestral sonority and color, and he no longer felt compelled to create such expansive compositions. Instead, he began favoring works for smaller ensembles, such as The Birds, also completed in 1928 and based on Baroque pieces imitating birds, his popular Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 3 (1932), arranged for strings only, and the Concerto a cinque (Concerto for Five) (1933), for oboe, trumpet, violin, double bass, piano and strings.

A fine performance La gallina" ("The Hen”), from Respighi’s The Birds - based on the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau. Quite different than Feste Romane, written in the same year!

13. Which part of Italy was Respighi from?