Petrassi, Goffredo

Petrassi, Goffredo (b Zagarolo, 1904; d Rome, 2003). It. composer. Worked in Rome mus. store and was given harmony lessons in his free time. Studied S. Cecilia Cons., Rome, 1928–33. Taught at S. Cecilia Acad. 1934–6, 1959–74, and at S. Cecilia Cons. 1939–59. Dir., La Fenice, Venice, 1937–40. Comps. in neoclassical style, using 12-note method in later works. Prin. works:OPERAS: Il Cordovano (1944–8); La Morte dell' Aria (1950).BALLETS: La Follia di Orlando (1942–3); Ritratto di Don Chisciotte (1945).ORCH.: Divertimento (1930); Ouverture da concerto (1931); Passacaglia (1931); Concertos for Orchestra, No.1 (1933–4), No.2 (1951), No.3 (Récréation Concertante) (1952–3), No.4, str. (1954), No.5 (1955), No.6 (Invenzione concertata), brass, str., perc. (1956–7), No.7 (1961–2, rev. 1964), No.8 (1970–2); pf. conc. (1936–9); fl. conc. (1960); Estri, for 15 instr. (1966–7); Poems (1977–80).CHAMBER MUSIC: Sonata da camera (1948); Dialogo angelico, 2 fl. (1948); Musica a due, 2 vc. (1952); str. qt. (1956–7); str. trio (1959); Nunc, gui. (1971); Ala, fl., hpd. (1972); 4 odi, str. qt. (1973–5); Sestina d'autunno, 6 instrs. (1981–2); Duetto, vn., va. (1985).CHORAL: Salmo 9, ch. and orch. (1934–6); Magnificat, sop., ch., and orch. (1939–40); Coro di morti, male ch., 3 pf., brass, perc. (1940–1); Noche oscura, cantata (1950–1); Beatitudines, bar., 5 instr. (1969); Orationes Christi, ch., brass, 8 vn., 8 vc. (1974–5); Tre cori sacri, unacc. ch. (1980–3; Laudes creaturarum, narr., 6 instr. (1982).