A Roman Triumph by the Sinfonia of London

Sinfonia of London at BBC Proms 2023 - Wiki Image by TruroTrotter

The Sinfonia of London, under the baton of its brilliant conductor John Wilson, brought the house down with its delivery of Respighi's 'Roman Trilogy' at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall last Friday

It was a thrill to witness one of the world's greatest orchestras bring to life Respighi's rhapsodic evocation of the Eternal City in all its colour and variety, from the spiritual to the festive and profane.

Using every resource, and with huge brass and percussion sections, not to mention two harps, two pianos, organ and mandolin, the Sinfonia first returned to Ancient Rome in 'Roman Festivals'. Dissonant staccato chords conjured roaring, pacing lions in the Circus Maximus, countered by the hymn of the Christian martyrs in Respighi's favourite Gregorian style, whose music prevails even as they are preyed upon to the cheers of the pagan crowd.

The Gregorian influence continues in the following 'Jubilee' episode. In Respighi's own description, 'Pilgrims trail down the long road, praying. Finally, from the summit of Monte Mario appears to ardent eyes and gasping spirits the holy city: Rome! Rome! A hymn of praise bursts forth, the churches ring out in reply.' A gigantic Allegro festoso climax uses full orchestral forces.

The Harvest festival is a joyous scherzo and the Epiphany a boisterous hubbub of folkloric songs, dances and melodies, both rustic and urban.

The work of the great Catholic sculptor, architect, artist and town planner Bernini is honoured in 'Fountains of Rome'. Conch-shell blasts summon naiads and tritons to disport themselves in an exuberant dance, and Neptune's chariot is drawn by sea-horses in a grand processional which involves the whole orchestra.

In 'Pines of Rome', plainchant and psalm-singing emerge from a subterranean catacomb while a recording of a nightingale (very daring and avant garde in 1924) bursts forth from the quietly shimmering strings.

Verdi's overture to 'The Force of Destiny' jump-started the evening with its savage mood-swings, by turns serene and agitated. The soloist playing by Jonathan Aasgard in Walton's complex 'Cello Concerto' - both idyllic and unnerving - was a thing of beauty.

This evening of great colour and richness was brought to a dramatic and resounding end with Rossini's 'William Tell Overture' as encore.

LINK

Proms 2026:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1V163YZRv3DDzSkjxZTNCjg/proms-2026-your-guide-through-the-season

Sinfonia of London: https://sinfoniaoflondon.com/