School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Goffredo Petrassi

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Goffredo Petrassi was an Italian composer, conductor and teacher, born on 16 July 1904 in Zagarolo near Rome and died on 3 March 2003. At fifteen he began working in a music shop to help his family, and there he became fascinated by music. In 1928 he entered the Santa Cecilia conservatory in Rome, where he studied organ and composition for five years with Vincenzo di Donato. Later he learned fugue and composition with Alessandro Bustini.

Music and breakthrough

His early work was part of an effort by Italian composers to bring about a national revival of classical music. It was neoclassical in style, influenced by Bartók, Hindemith and Stravinsky. His works from that time include the Partita for orchestra (1932), the Concerto for orchestra (1934), the Piano Concerto (1936 to 1939) and Magnificat. Later he experimented with influences from after Webern and with texts of widely differing kinds, from Latin hymns to Ariosto's La follia d'Orlando and Ritratto di Don Chisciotte, which is based on the figure created by Cervantes. In 1986 he stopped composing because his eyesight was failing.

Influence

From 1940 to 1960 he was professor of composition at the Santa Cecilia conservatory, and then until 1978 he gave masterclasses at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He was also artistic director of La Fenice and a teacher at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He is regarded as one of the most influential Italian composers of the twentieth century.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to his Concerto for orchestra and notice how the orchestra plays as a whole made up of separate groups. Hear how tight and clear the rhythms sound.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists