Written in 1931,  and unlike Suite 1 and 2, it is originally arranged for only strings. Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No.3 is based on lute songs in the baroque period.  The Dances consist of four movements. Respighi begins the third suite with an anonymous song of the time, which he labeled Italiana. The second movement is built of six Arie di Corte, or "airs of the court," all songs having to do with the pleasure, sadness, and transience of love, from the collections of the French lawyer, doctor, writer, and lutenist-composer J. B. Besard. Next comes a gently lilting anonymous Siciliana, a dance of pastoral character in ABA form. Finally, from a little-known composer, Lodovico Roncalli, comes a Passacaglia, originally published in 1692.

Performance notes 

I. 3'10"    II. 6'30" III. 3'20" IV. 3'25"

Most the accents with staccatos are meant to be played like plucking strings. A level 3 arrangement, but the quick tempo changes make this piece a challenge.

This is a digital version of the piece that you can download as a PDF and print.  If you’d prefer a physical copy that will be shipped to you, click here.