Goffredo Petrassi
The Italian composer Goffredo Petrassi was born at Zagarolo, near Rome, on 16 July 1904. He was trained at a choir school and later studied music in his spare time.
His works are predominately neoclassic, and the development can be traced in a series of eight Concertos for orchestra written between 1933 and 1972.
Petrassi wrote ballets, choral music and opera. Although his output was quite small, he was an important figure on the twentieth century Italian music scene.
He died in Rome on 3 March 2003, aged ninety-eight.
A selection of articles about Goffredo Petrassi
Ensemble. Modern Italian Music in Rome - Works by Francesco Pennisi, Goffredo Petrassi and Marcello Panni, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. A Roman Pietas - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Petrassi and Shostakovich in Rome
Ensemble. A Pleasure Garden - Two summer concerts on an evening in Rome, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. A Short Bittersweet Opera - Stravinsky's 'A Soldier's Tale', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
Successful and Fulfilling - On the rediscovery of the Italian symphonic tradition, by Giuseppe Pennisi
Record Box. Superb Performances - Ursula Oppens plays Elliott Carter, celebrated by Patric Standford
Profile. Luciano Chailly - The career of one of Italy's most striking musical personalities, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett, who met and interviewed him