[Respighi’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Modern Italian Composer

Ottorino Respighi, born in 1879 in Bologna, Italy, was active as a composer, musicologist, conductor, and violinist.

Interested in music spanning a broad period from the 16th to the 18th century, he left works in a variety of genres, including his celebrated Roman Trilogy.

In this article, we highlight piano pieces and works frequently performed on the piano from among Respighi’s diverse output.

We will introduce them along with the background of their composition and the characteristics of the pieces.

Playlist

[Respighi’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Modern Italian Composer
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Six Pieces No. 1 “Sweet Waltz”Ottorino Respighi		Respighi’s delicate and graceful collection of piano miniatures
2	Six Pieces No. 3 “Nocturne”Ottorino Respighi		Respighi's Nocturne is beautiful and emotionally rich.
3	Piano Sonata in F minor, P.16Ottorino Respighi		Respighi's early piano sonata
4	Festival(s) of RomeOttorino Respighi		Respighi’s masterpiece, Feste Romane (Roman Festivals)
5	Ancient Dances and Airs for Lute, Suite No. 1: I. BallettOttorino Respighi		Respighi revived early music for the modern era.
6	Ancient Dances and Airs for Lute, Suite No. 3, No. 3: SicilianaOttorino Respighi		Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances are striking.
7	Piano Concerto in the Mixolydian Mode, P.145Ottorino Respighi		Respighi's piano concerto works
8	Toccata for Piano and Orchestra, P.156Ottorino Respighi		Respighi's neoclassical masterpiece
9	Piano Concerto in A minor, P.40Ottorino Respighi		The appeal of Respighi’s Piano Concerto
10	Six Pieces for Children, P.149 No. 1 “Romance”Ottorino Respighi		Respighi’s children’s piece: simple yet expressive
11	The Pines of RomeOttorino Respighi		I recommend Respighi’s Roman Trilogy of symphonic poems.
12	Three Preludes on Gregorian Chant, P.131 No. 1Ottorino Respighi		Respighi’s work fusing the classical and the modern
13	Six Pieces No. 6 “Intermezzo”Ottorino Respighi		Respighi’s piano piece “Intermezzo” is richly expressive and beautiful.
14	Piano Quintet, P.35Ottorino Respighi		The Characteristics and Appeal of Respighi’s Piano Quintet
15	Fountain of RomeOttorino Respighi		Respighi's Roman Trilogy is richly colorful.