Role

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Composer Performer

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

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Avant-Garde

 

Agostino di Scipio is a contemporary Italian composer who was born on November 27, 1962, in Rome, Italy. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. This musical environment played a significant role in shaping his interest in music from a young age. Di Scipio began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano and composition. He later attended the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, where he studied composition with Franco Donatoni and Goffredo Petrassi. During this time, he also studied electronic music with Giuseppe Di Giugno and worked as a sound engineer for various recording studios. In 1986, Di Scipio moved to the United States to pursue further studies in electronic music at the University of California, San Diego. There, he studied with Roger Reynolds and became interested in the use of technology in music composition. He also worked as a research assistant at the Center for Music Experiment, where he developed his skills in computer music programming. Di Scipio's early works were influenced by the experimental music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen. His compositions often incorporate electronic sounds and live performers, creating a unique blend of acoustic and electronic music. One of Di Scipio's most notable works is "Piano Grids," a composition for piano and electronics that was premiered in 1991. The piece features a piano that is amplified and processed through a computer, creating a complex and layered sound. The performer is required to play a series of repetitive patterns, which are then transformed and manipulated by the computer in real-time. Another significant work by Di Scipio is "Audible Ecosystemics," a series of compositions that explore the relationship between sound and the environment. The pieces are created using field recordings of natural and urban environments, which are then processed and manipulated using computer algorithms. The result is a unique and immersive sonic experience that blurs the boundaries between music and the environment. In addition to his work as a composer, Di Scipio is also a respected educator and researcher. He has taught at various institutions, including the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome and the University of California, San Diego. He has also published numerous articles and papers on music technology and composition. Di Scipio's contributions to contemporary music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1995, he was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for Music Composition. He has also received commissions from various organizations, including the Venice Biennale and the Berlin Festival. Overall, Agostino di Scipio is a composer who has made significant contributions to the field of contemporary music. His innovative use of technology and his exploration of the relationship between sound and the environment have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in music composition. His works continue to inspire and challenge audiences around the world.

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