Neoclassicism is the name of the game today, as we celebrate two composers who scored their biggest successes by building on styles and themes of the past.

Ottorino Respighi composed not only his “Ancient Airs and Dances” suites, but also tone poems – while not strictly speaking “neoclassical” (in fact, more like orgiastic) – evocative of Rome’s illustrious and/or notorious history. He also wrote music redolent of the Catholic Church, with works influenced by Gregorian modes. Even his ballet, “Belkis, Queen of Sheba,” is set 3000 years ago.

In 1944, American composer David Diamond was asked by conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos for a “happy” piece. It was still the height of World War II, and Mitropoulos was depressed from conducting too much 12-tone music. Diamond’s response was the clear, cool “Rounds for String Orchestra.” a work alive with imitative counterpoint. The title is a reference to musical canons or “rounds” – you know, like the “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Frère Jacques” – with the different “voices” entering in rapid succession along the same melodic lines.

This is music is full of optimism, vitality, and joy, qualities too often dismissed at the expense of the weightier considerations of human existence. Clearly, it hit the spot. “Rounds” went on to become Diamond’s best-known music, embraced as a bona fide American classic.

Happy birthday, Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) and David Diamond (1915-2005)!

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Uto Ughi performs Respighi’s “Concerto Gregoriano”

Diamond’s “Rounds for String Orchestra,” played with youthful exuberance by the Portland Youth Orchestra