[117.1] GOFFREDO PETRASSI

Remiss of me not to mention before the sad passing of composer Goffredo Petrassi (1904-2003), one of the most important figures in Italian twentieth century music. Less known abroad than, say, Berio, Petrassi produced (among many other works) a fascinating series of eight Concertos for Orchestra. He was particularly interested in the clarity of the different instrumental voices, but his wholesale turn to serialism in the latter part of his career won him few new allies in an increasingly eclectic, post-modern musical climate. Elliott Carter remained a long-time friend and champion. "I seek to create new sonorities based on pure instrumental sounds," he is quoted as saying in Martin Anderson's very good obituary published in The Independent today.