31 Days of Classical, Day 14: A Birthday Card from Ottorino

Each day throughout July, I'll share with you a piece of classical music. Thirty-one days, thirty-one pieces.

The list is by no means definitive, nor is it necessarily a list of all of my favorite music from the classical world. Every morning, I start my day with music that inspires me in some way, whether I'm inspired by its happiness, its loneliness, the instrumentation, the harmony, the colors, the melody -- each piece is special in some way -- and offers an opportunity to either hear something you've never heard, or hear something new in a piece you've known your whole life.

Day 14: Ottorino Respighi, Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite 2, 4th movement "Bergamasca"

This is for my mom on her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! My love for music comes from both my parents, truly, since my dad gets a kick out of a good tune as much as I do. However, my mom wears her heart on her sleeve with music. She first heard this piece from Respighi on a St. Olaf Christmas CD and she loved it. I remember her talking about how happy the music is; how the music bursts with pure joy. From a nerdier perspective, I'm a huge fan of Respighi for his dedication to Renaissance and Baroque music, even though Respighi lived from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. But listen to the harpsichord in this piece - you'll hear it prominently in the opening moments. The flurries of winds and strings at 1:25 is fabulous!!

Take the 31 Days of Classical Challenge

31 Days is a bite-sized month-long trial of Classical Music from across the spectrum of the wonderful, expansive music we love at Classical MPR. Join the fun by subscribing to the 31 Days of Classical newsletter, or use #31DaysofClassical on Twitter or Facebook.

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