Respighi ’Church Windows’ - Vasily Petrenko conducts

Respighi’s ’Church Windows’ (’Vetrate di Chiesa’) are seldom heard in the concert hall but here is a performance given in Rome in 2011 by Vasily Petrenko and the Orchestra dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia. The four ’symphonic impressions’ are (1) The Flight into Egypt; (2) St. Michael Archangel; (3) The Matins of St. Clare; and (4) St. Gregory the Great. (With acknowledgements to RAI.) 00:00 The Flight into Egypt ... “ ...the little caravan proceeded through the desert, in the starry night, carrying the Treasure of the World.“ 07:20 St. Michael Archangel ... “And a great battle was made in the Heavens: Michael and his Angels fought with the dragon, and fought the dragon and his angels. But these did not prevail, and there was no more place for them in Heaven.“ 12:50 The Matins of St. Clare ... “But Jesus Christ her bridegroom, not wishing to leave her thus disconsolate, had her miraculously carried by the angels to the Church of St. Francis, and to be at the whole function of Matins.“ 18:50 St. Gregory the Great ... “Ecce Pontifex Maximus! ... Bless the Lord ... Sing the hymn to God. Alleluia!“