The magic pot

Respighi's "La Pentola Magica" was created in 1920 as a choreographic work and shows the Italian composer in his characteristic role as a virtuoso orchestrator. The ballet is based on Russian folk songs and melodies by composers such as Arensky, Rubinstein and Gretchaninov, which Respighi reshaped in his distinctive musical language. With his predilection for colorful instrumentation and brilliant orchestral technique, he gives the folkloric material an entirely new brilliance.

The music combines Russian melody with Respighi's typical late-Romantic harmony and his instinct for orchestral effects. As in his famous Roman tone poems, the composer demonstrates here too his ability to create different moods and characters through sophisticated instrumentation. The ten movements range from lyrical moments to spirited dances, with Respighi consistently proving his mastery in handling the large orchestra.

The work is said to be rarely performed today, but belongs to those compositions that demonstrate Respighi's international orientation and his ability to integrate foreign musical material into his own musical language.