Respighi: Metamorphoseon, P. 169, Ballata Delle Gn
) | Label: BIS Catalog: BIS-2130 Format: SACD / CD Hybrid Conductor John Neschling leads the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège on his third Ottorino Respighi disc for BIS. Ballata delle gnomidi (The Ballad of the Gnomes), from 1920 was inspired by a poem depicting satanic rituals, sexual abandonment and blood sacrifice. Metamorphoseon (1930) consists of a theme and twelve variations or 'modes'. Despite his doubts about it, the work is now considered a masterpiece. The disc closes with the suite from Belkis, Regina di Saba, a full-length ballet scored for a massive orchestra but slimmed down for the intended-for-concert-use suite.  Price: $28.98 |