Respighi ’Roman Festivals’ - Vasily Petrenko / National Youth Orchestra - Complete Performance

The four individual sections in this performance of Respighi’s ’Roman Festivals’ (’Feste Romane’) have already been uploaded here separately. However, as they are all linked together, and as it’s been specially requested, here is the complete performance as given at the 2009 Proms in London by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain under Vasily Petrenko. It has already been noted that the conductor took this piece at 100-miles an hour in some places, so it is a tribute to the talented youngsters that they were able to keep up with his speedy tempos. Incidentally, this was the work’s Proms Premiere. (1) Circenses - A threatening sky hangs over the Circus Maximus. The howling of wild beasts mingles with the strains of a religious chant sung by the martyrs as they are led into the arena. (2) The Jubilee - Pilgrims trail along the highway praying. Finally they see the Holy City. “Rome! Rome!“ they cry and a hymn of praise bursts forth. (3) The October Festival - In the Roman ’Castelli’ we hear echoes of the hunt, tinkling bells, songs of love and a romantic serenade from a mandolin. (4) The Epiphany - The Night before Epiphany in the Piazza Navona. A frantic clamour of saltarellos, barrel-organs, popular songs and drunken revellers with their hoarse cries of “We are Romans! Let us pass!“