Alfredo Casella Italian composer, pianist and conductor Date of Birth: 25.07.1883 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Musical Education
2. Formative Years in Paris
3. Return to Italy and Artistic Vision
4. Promoting Modern Music
5. Post-World War I Travels and Artistic Activities
6. Corporazione delle Nuove Musiche
7. Venice International Festival and Later Career
8. Final Years and Legacy

Early Life and Musical Education

Alfredo Casella, an acclaimed Italian composer, pianist, and conductor, was born on July 25, 1883, in Turin, Italy. His musical talent emerged at a young age, influenced by his mother's piano lessons. In 1894, at the tender age of 11, Casella made his public debut as a pianist. Torn between music and science, he eventually chose music as his calling.

In 1896, upon the recommendation of Giuseppe Martucci and Antonio Bazzini, Casella was sent to the Paris Conservatoire to study piano under the guidance of Louis Diémer. The vibrant cultural scene of Paris opened up new horizons for him.

Formative Years in Paris

During his time at the Conservatoire, Casella excelled as a pianist and developed a keen interest in composition. From 1900 to 1901, he attended Gabriel Fauré's composition class. His musical horizon broadened as he became acquainted with Maurice Ravel, George Enescu, and the works of Debussy, Russian composers, Richard Strauss, Mahler, Bartók, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky. Casella also embraced emerging artistic movements such as Cubism and Futurism.

Return to Italy and Artistic Vision

After completing his studies in 1902, Casella embarked on travels that took him to various countries, including Russia in 1907 and 1909. Upon his return to Italy, he envisioned creating an Italian music that was both national and cosmopolitan. In 1915, he became a professor at the Liceo di Santa Cecilia in Rome.

Promoting Modern Music

Casella began introducing the music of Ravel, Stravinsky, and other contemporary composers in Italy. He gathered a group of like-minded young composers, including Gian Francesco Malipiero, Ildebrando Pizzetti, Ottorino Respighi, Vincenzo Tommasini, Vittorio Gui, and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Together, they founded the "National Society of Music" (later renamed "Italian Society of Modern Music"). This organization presented concerts showcasing contemporary Italian and international music.

Post-World War I Travels and Artistic Activities

Following World War I, Casella resumed his travels, performing as a pianist (both solo and with the Italian Trio) and a conductor. In 1922, he resigned from his professorship and dedicated himself to further modernizing Italian music.

Corporazione delle Nuove Musiche

With Malipiero and Mario Labroca, Casella established the "Corporazione delle Nuove Musiche," supported by the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio. This organization aimed to expose Italy to innovative musical expressions and research.

Venice International Festival and Later Career

In 1930, Casella founded the Venice International Festival of Contemporary Music, which he co-directed for its first four years. In 1932, he became a professor of piano at the Santa Cecilia Academy in Rome. Despite the influence of fascism on his work (as exemplified in his opera "The Seduced Desert"), Casella remained an advocate for avant-garde composers. However, his family's safety was compromised due to his wife's French and Jewish heritage.

Final Years and Legacy

Diagnosed with a grave illness in 1942, Casella continued to compose until 1944, conduct until 1946, and perform as a pianist for the last time three weeks before his death on March 5, 1947. In his honor, the L'Aquila Conservatory was named after him in 1967, and the International Casella Piano Competition was held in Naples from 1952 to 2001. Alfredo Casella's legacy as an influential Italian composer, pianist, and conductor continues to inspire musicians and music lovers alike.