Ottorino Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Orchestral Suite) / Metamorphoseon (Theme & Variations)

Ottorino Respighi (Artist), Geoffrey Simon (Artist), Philharmonia Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000ADG
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,067 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #15 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Variations
  • #58 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Variations

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One word-Incredible, February 2, 2000

By 

Ryan DiLisi (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ottorino Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Orchestral Suite) / Metamorphoseon (Theme & Variations) (Audio CD)

Most people know Respighi only by his Roman Trilogy. This is indeed a shame, for many of his other works are just as brilliant and exciting. The works on this CD are no exception. Belkis, Queen of Sheba is an incredible warhorse or a work. Respighi pulls out all the stops for an action oriented, nonstop musical journey. The result leaves you kneeling on the floor (after you get up from being blown away by the immense power he achieves in the finale) praying that the local ballet company will decide to perform this piece so you can hear the whole entire thing! The Metamorphosen is another beautiful work by Respighi that is neglected. It shows a darker side of Respighi that doesn't show up quite as often as his colorful side. Both works are truly masterpieces. If you love big timpani and percussion (like me-being a timpanist and all), big brass, Arabian-style music, and huge finales, then this is the CD for you. Respighi is the man! Be sure to check out the recording of Church Windows and Brazilian Impressions (don't get me started on those!) on the same label with the same orchestra while you're at it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Respighi, March 14, 2002

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ottorino Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Orchestral Suite) / Metamorphoseon (Theme & Variations) (Audio CD)

There are few CDs that I have enjoyed more than this one. Belkis, Queen of Sheba is an exotic ballet (80 minutes in length) that tells the story of the journey of the Queen to the court of King Solomon. Respighi used a huge orchestra with instruments as the sitar and wind-machines. The music perhaps is bombastic, particularly the War Dance) but there are moments of exceptional beauty as in the Dance of Belkis at Dawn, where the Queen dances in honor of the newly risen Sun. The Orgiastic Dance is a frenzy of excitement of Dionysian proportions that brought the audience at the premiere to its feet. It would be interesting to hear the entire ballet music; the suite has only 22:30.

The Metamorphoseon is my favorite work of Respighi. It is a series of 12 variations written for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony in 1930. The work is more a concerto for orchestra with brilliant playing culminating a joyous conclusion. For people interested in Respighi's music, this is a must have disc. The sound is wonderfully clear and Geoffrey Simon and the Philharmonia perform beautifully.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Respighi Bombast, January 13, 2009

By 

Robert S. Costic - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ottorino Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Orchestral Suite) / Metamorphoseon (Theme & Variations) (Audio CD)

Unlike most of the reviewers here, I'm not blindly in love with everything Respighi wrote. I consider "Church Windows" and "Brazilian Impressions" to be pretty weak. The pieces on this CD are no profound masterpieces themselves, but they are entertaining. "Belkis" is high on bombast and exotic tunes, while "Metamorphosen" provides some playfully thoughtful variations on a grand tune. This is a CD worth checking out if you like Respighi and/or over-the-top late-Romantic music.