Performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Giordano Bellincampi
In The Birds, Respighi transcribes and then reinvents vocal and instrumental music from the baroque composers, Bernardo Pasquini, Jacques de Gallot, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and Jacob van Eyck.
After the first movement Prelude, each of the four other movements is named after a type of bird: the Dove, Hen, Nightingale and Cuckoo.
The Prelude is based on an aria by Italian Baroque composer, Bernardo Pasquini
La Colomba (The Dove) – a beautiful oboe melody is inspired by the French composer and lute-player Jacques de Gallot
La Gallina (The Hen) – derived from a harpsichord work by Jean-Philippe Rameau and features entertaining clucking in the strings and rooster calls in the woodwind instruments.
L’usignolo (The Nightingale) – an anonymous 18th century English melody transcribed by Dutch musician Jacob van Eyck.
And finally, Il Cucu (The Cuckoo) – after the two-note call by the flute and other wind instruments we hear the return of the original Pasquini tune.
Programme Note: Carey McDonald
Recorded by RNZ Concert in Auckland Town Hall, 15 July 2021
Engineer: Adrian Hollay; Producer: Tim Dodd