 The piece takes its title from two early forms of Italian poetry; "rispetti" were love messages from men to ladies, while "strambotti" were roundelays.The piece is a single, coherent work meant to depict various aspects of the Renaissance, and is built up of numerous episodic melodic subjects.Among the most significant are those depicting the clergy and peasantry; the former is a sort of plainchant, while the latter is a robust theme with astringent harmonies.