Vetrate di Chiesa

Vetrate di Chiesa (Church Stained Glass Windows, 1926) The first three movements are based on "Tre preludi sopra melodie gregoriane" for piano, composed in 1921. Respighi consulted a literature professor, Claudio Guastalia, to help him find a title and subtitles for the orchestrated version. Guastalia's mental images upon hearing the music are the source of the quotations before each movement, which describes the drama of a major church event as depicted in the stained glass windows of Italian churches.

This transcription for wind ensemble skillfully preserves the keys, texture, and everything about this work that makes it so special, while allowing for the full wind ensemble experience. Every notational aspect of the original is reproduced where possible and adjusted where necessary for modern practice.