Italian composer Ottorino Respighi was propelled to the international stage with his “Roman Trilogy” series of tone poems, and on Friday night the Nashville Symphony will perform its vibrant second installment, Pines of Rome. While the first and third installments, Fountains of Rome and Roman Festivals, celebrate man-made motifs, Pines of Rome focuses on the city’s natural beauty. Each of its four movements describes a particular pine tree in a particular part of Rome at a particular time of day — there’s an especially unexpected nightingale recording featured at the end of the third movement. The Roman theme continues with performances of Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, which blends sections of his Benvenuto Cellini opera, and Samuel Barber’s Symphony No. 1, a tightly wound and explosive piece written by the composer while he was visiting Rome. Guest pianist Javier Perianes breaks the evening’s theme with Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, a virtuosic work of boundless energy that remains pleasantly unpredictable throughout. The performance will be led by guest conductor Peter Oundjian, the director of the Toronto Symphony. MATT FOX
Nashville Symphony Performs Pines of Rome
