Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in an excerpt from Mvt. IV “The Pines of the Appian Way” of Respighi’s Pines of Rome. Video by Todd Rosenberg | Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Pines of Rome – Movement II Composer: Ottorino Respighi Conductor: Yu Ji Orchestra: China Philharmonic Orchestra Following the exuberant climax of the first movement, Pines of Rome transitions abruptly into a solemn and introspective second movement, introduced by the deep tones of the double basses. This movement portrays the pine trees near the catacombs—ancient underground burial sites once used by early Christians. Under the shadow of these trees, one seems to hear distant, solemn hymns of p