Stefano Trasimeni

Born in Rome, Stefano Trasimeni began studying the piano at the early age of four. He continued his musical studies at the "A. Casella" Conservatory in Aquila and began his concert appearances as a pianist (both in a soloist capacity and in the context of various chamber groups) focussing in particular on those studies relating to the performability of Chopin's repertoire. He began composing when he was very young and had a preference for the piano over other instruments. Works such as Rhapsody Op. 11, Nocturnes Op. 12, Studies for Piano Op. 26 (broadcast during the course of the RAI 3 programme "The Magic Square…. Chosen itineraries in classical music") and Quintet for Wind Instruments Op. 27 all date from this period and although they were youthful works, they were consistent with the most avant-garde aesthetic trends.

These were followed by more mature compositions such as the Symphonic Picture Op. 39 no. 2 and, above all, a considerable output of incidental music. He has also written instrumental and vocal music and in such a capacity has carried out a specific and detailed study on aspects of the use of vocal style in the late Baroque period. In 1988 he recorded one of his Symphonic Preludes for Orchestra and Choir on a Christmas theme for Italian television.

In 1994 he was awarded the Premio Novamusica & Arte (Novamusica and Art Prize) for the great didactic value of his publications on nineteenth century piano music (with particular reference to the development of the study of piano techniques in the Romantic period) and for his in-depth study of the pedagogical and didactic aspects relating to adolescents' approaches to musical language. He has composed soundtracks for feature films. The most recent of these was “I Caboto e il Nuovo Mondo” (The Cabotos and the New World) (directed by G. Bernabei and produced by RAI International) which represented Italy at the Fifth Centenary Celebrations of the Discovery of Canada, taking place in Toronto in August 1997. He is currently composing the incidental music for a ballet. He has been on jury panels and honorary committees at national and international competitions.

His formation as an orchestra conductor has developed for the most part abroad: initially with Dimitar Zenghinov and then completing his training under the guidance of Milen Natchev, favourite of Ilya Mussin and Guenadiy Rozdestvenskij. He is the permanent conductor of the "Accademia dei Concordi" Orchestra, Rome and the Guest Director of the National Orchestra for the "M. Eminescu Repertory Company" in Rumania: he is, moreover, lecturer in Score Analysis and Theory of Conducting at the Varna summer courses in Bulgaria. His interest in the didactic and pedagogical aspects of music often leads him to hold conferences and lecture-concerts.

He collaborates on a permanent basis with Iasi's "Comrade" Orchestra in Rumania and with Radio Sofia's National Orchestra. With the latter, he made a recording of the Pastoral Concerto for flute and orchestra and the de Aranjuez Concerto for Guitar and orchestra during the centenary of J. Rodrigo's birth (1901-1999). He is guest conductor to the most prestigious International Philharmonic Orchestras.

For the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, he directed Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle for soloists, choir and orchestra as part of the programme “I Concerti del Giubileo nel Giorno del Signore” (Jubilee Concerts in the Day of Our Lord) which was recorded by RAI 3. His interest in the entertainment world and his knowledge of its difficulties have found their expression in non-artistic sectors as well: he is a member of the U.N.C.L.A. Board of Governors (National Union of Composers, Librettists and Authors) and the "Mario Schisa" National Welfare Fund.

He has been an active member of the College of Editors for the Italian Society of Authors and Editors since 1995.

www.stefanotrasimeni.it