Polo Piatti

Polo Piatti is a British-Argentine composer and concert pianist, known for his extensive work in the field of classical piano improvisation. Beyond his solo concerts, his work encompasses orchestral, choral and camera compositions as well as songs and film soundtracks.

Piatti's compositional work is neo-romantic in style. Many of his works have been especially commissioned for stage productions in Europe and the United Kingdom. Among some of his most famous works is the music he composed for the program Der SaTierkreis, a cycle of songs about the Zodiac with lyrics by the late Frieder Nögge, that continues being regularly performed over 20 years after its premiere. Piatti's works have been published in Germany, by KD Verlag and in the United Kingdom, by Impromptu Music Publishing. His album The Tides Of Time was released in 2010 on Seafront Records.

Biography
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Piatti started his musical tuition at the age of 3. He attended the Grassi Conservatory in Buenos Aires where he first studied piano and music theory and finally qualified as Music Teacher at the age of 12. Immediately afterwards and despite his young age, Piatti was admitted to to Argentina’s leading conservatory, the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica (now the Conservatorio Nacional Superior de Musica de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires) where he graduated in 1978 as Profesor Nacional de Musica (national music teacher), specializing in piano. Amongst his early tutors were Carlos Guastavino and Angel Lasala, Astor Piazzolla, Hector Iglesias Villoud (composition), Nelida Molinari and Alicia Pez (piano), Roberto Saccente (conducting), Pedro Franze (history of music), and Mario García Acevedo (philosophy of music).

Piatti left Argentina at an early age to continue his studies in Paris and Berlin. He went on to work as a composer, arranger, concert pianist, musical director, conductor, teacher/lecturer, artist manager and music publisher in Europe and South America. As a touring concert pianist, Piatti became well known for his classical piano improvisations. He has also taught at various institutions in Europe and South America, and co-founded the drama school Freie Kleintheaterschule in Stuttgart, Germany with Frieder Nögge, with whom he wrote and performed a variety of plays and the satirical song-cycle Der Satierkreis. Amongst the actors and performing artists he taught at the Freie Kleintheaterschule were singer-songwriter Bernd Schrubka, standup comedian David Leuckert, actor Jürgen Hartman, artist & photographer Donata Wenders, theatre clowns Kasper & Gaya and cabaretists Braun & Hanuschik.

After moving to the UK, Piatti worked as an accompanist, examinations pianist, teacher and later as Head of Music at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London. He left his post at the Italia Conti Academy to become Director of Music for the newly founded World Centre of Performing Arts in 1995, where he worked with the former Bolshoi Ballet choreographer Yury Grigorovich and prima ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova. He also founded the London-based PPM (Polo Piatti Management) where he developed and/or managed several pop artists including Monica Ward, Janet Gabriel., Dax O'Callaghan, etc. In 2005 Piatti’s publishing company ‘PPM’ released its first CD, called Beyond The Stars, attached to author John Brindley's book Amy Peppercorn, a special edition published by Orion Publishing.

Since 2007 Piatti has returned to composing full time. Polo Piatti holds dual nationality, being both an Argentine as well as a British citizen. He is married to actress Martina Mars.

Orchestral works and compositions for dance productions

 * J’Observe Le Monde - for piano and orchestra (France, 1979)
 * Walking Through A Madhouse - for electronic instruments (Germany, 1980)
 * Seasons - for contemporary dance | Piano & electronic instruments (Germany, 1988)
 * Colours - for contemporary dance | Piano and strings orchestra (Germany, 1988)
 * Fata Morgana - for contemporary dance | Electronic instruments (Germany, 1988)
 * Ritual For A Woman - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1992)
 * Two Variations For piano & sampler library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1993)
 * Six Dances - for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Congress (UK, 1994)
 * Reality Check - for piano, mixed choir and string ensemble (UK, 2007)
 * Vengeance Isn’t Enough - for brass ensemble (UK, 2008)
 * The Tides Of Time - for full orchestra (UK, 2009)
 * The Impossible Pieces - for full orchestra (UK, 2009)

Choral compositions and songs

 * Nacimiento Vida y Muerte de un Sujeto - for mixed choir - Argentina, 1971/72
 * Songs On Rilke - for solo tenor & piano - Germany, 1985
 * Der SaTierkreis - for solo baritone & piano - Germany, 1987
 * Mälinda (the Aries woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Jolie-Nadine (the Libra woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Saturina (the Capricorn woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Hannelore (the Cancer woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Angela (the Leo woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Die Knäbin (the Aquarius woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Bärbel (the Taurus woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Ling-Ling (the Gemini woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Belle-Sophie (the Virgo woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Sirkaja (the Scorpio woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Olga (the Pisces woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Charlotte (the Sagittarius woman) - Germany, 1987
 * Kofferzirkus by Bernd Schrubka [Dir: B. Schrubka] (Germany, 1988)
 * Nuptial March - for brass ensemble & 2 mixed choirs - UK, 1993
 * Chances And Changes - for female choir & children vocal ensemble - UK, 1993
 * Where Have You Gone? - for mezzo-soprano, piano & mixed choir (lyrics by Kate Barnwell), UK, 2011
 * All Has Been Said - for mezzo-soprano, piano & mixed choir (lyrics by Kate Barnwell), UK, 2011
 * In Haven - for voice, piano & mixed choir (lyrics by Kate Barnwell), UK, 2011
 * In Love - for voice, piano & mixed choir (lyrics by Kate Barnwell), UK, 2011
 * Taken - for baritone, mixed choir & piano (lyrics by Kate Barnwell), UK, 2011

Compositions for stage, improvisation concerts, and art installations

 * Misery - Installation & Happening (Germany, 1978)
 * Meine Hochzeiten ('Un Si Beau Jour') - Art Photography & Video Installation (Germany, 1978/79)
 * Narrenherbst by Frieder Nögge [Dir: F. Nögge (Germany, 1986)
 * Narren Auf Eis by Frieder Nögge [Dir: Ingo Schöne] (Germany, 1987)
 * Ein Traumspiel ('The Dream Play') by August Strindberg [Dir: Johannes Peyer] (Switzerland, 1987)
 * Schuld und Sühne ('Crime And Punishment') by Fiodor Dostoevsky [Dir: Johannes Peyer] (Switzerland & Germany, 1987)
 * Musik Der Bilder - Improvisation solo concerts (Stuttgart, Germany 1987)
 * Mord im Dom ('Murder In The Cathedral') by T. S. Eliot [Dir: Christian Schlösser] (Germany, 1988)
 * Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [Dir: Wilfried Hammacher] (Germany, 1989)
 * Der Arzt wider Willen (The Doctor In Spite Of Himself) by Jean Baptiste Moliere [Dir: C. Schlösser] (Germany, 1989)
 * Peer Gynt by Heinrik Ibsen [Dir: Wilfried Hammacher] (Germany, 1990)
 * Musik zu Aschenputtel for Flute, Violin & Harp [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-071-0 (Germany, 1990/91)
 * Musik zu Dornröschen for Mixed & Female Choirs, Solos, Flute, Harp & Viola [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-077-X (Germany, 1991/92)
 * Musik zu Dornröschen for Flute & Viola [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-078-8 (Germany, 1991/92)
 * Musik zu Dornröschen for Harp, Alt, Mezzo & Female Choir [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-079-6 (Germany, 1991/92)
 * Another Sky - Improvisation concert & mixed media (London, UK, 1992)
 * Between The Lines - Improvisation solo concert (London, UK 1993)
 * The Terrestrial Trilogy - Improvisation concert & mixed media (UK, 1993)
 * Anybody Out There? - Improvisation concert & mixed media (London, UK, 1994)
 * Arcanum [Dir: Polo Piatti] (UK, 1995)

Film and television soundtracks

 * L’escalier - Dir.: Michel Duffois (Copyright Control, France, 1975)
 * Les Montres - Dir.: Michel Duffois (Copyright Control, France, 1976)
 * Mes Merriages - Dir.: Didier Bay, DAAB Berlin (Copyright Control, France & Germany, 1979)
 * Farewell - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1987)
 * Nuptial March - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1988) and premiered at the 'Basilica de San Carlos' in Buenos Aires, 1988
 * Ansage - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Action Thriller - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Water - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Verfolgung - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Whistle - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Suspense - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Vorspann I - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Vorspann II - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Soldaten - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Darkness - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Melancholie - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Vision - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Children - library compilation track (Copyright Control, Germany, 1989)
 * Scherzo Op. 64 - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1989)
 * First Steps - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1989)
 * Lifestyle - Dir.: Nessan Cleary (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Nerves - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Robot Disco - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1992)
 * Crazy City - library compilation track (Copyright Control, UK, 1992)
 * Growing Old - library compilation track (Impromptu Music Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Spring Again - library compilation track (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Fleet Street - library compilation track (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The Tides Of Time - for full orchestra - (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Reverie - for two pianos, oboe, cello & string ensemble (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Tango Mood - for two bandoneons, oboe & string orchestra (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * One Fine Day - for harp, organ clarinet, string & brass ensembles (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * In Days Gone By - for full orchestra (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Hazy Days - for clarinet, harp, string & brass ensemble (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The King - for trumpet and string orchestra (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The Road Back Home - for bandoneons, bagpipes, ocarina, brass & strings (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Springtime In Sussex - for two pianos, clarinet, French horns & violin section (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Joie De Vivre - for harpsichord, clarinet, piano, organ, trumpet, synthesizer brass & strings (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * Anthem (England O England) - for bassoon, clarinet, piano & pipe organ (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The Joy Of Spring - for woodwinds, string ensemble, brass section & piano (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The Passage Of Time - for piano, clarinet, brass & string section (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)
 * The Endless Waves - for full orchestra (IMP Publishing, UK, 2009)

Compositions for solo piano & piano and another solo instrument

 * Eight Variations On A Theme By Eric Satie (Copyright Control, Germany, 1985)
 * Bye Bye Marie (Copyright Control, Germany, 1987)
 * Die Vier Elemente (Copyright Control, Germany, 1987)
 * Russisches Roulette mit vier Jahresdamen (Copyright Control, Germany, 1988)
 * Dreamway (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Winter Water (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Longing (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Nerves (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Infant Dreams (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Forgotten Circus (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Remembrances (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Columns (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Geometrical Forms (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Tenacity (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * In Those Days (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Dance (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Ritual (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * The Lost Gnome (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Adieu (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Night, Night and Night (Copyright Control, UK, 1991)
 * Between The Lines (Copyright Control, UK, 1993)
 * A Male Dance (Copyright Control, UK, 1993)
 * Six Dances For Ballet (Copyright Control, UK, 1994)
 * Lullaby For A Clown for cello & piano (Impromptu Music Publishing, UK, 2011)
 * Bagatelle for cello & piano (Impromptu Music Publishing, UK, 2011)
 * Ostinato for piano solo (Impromptu Music Publishing, UK, 2011)
 * Virtuoso for piano solo (Impromptu Music Publishing, UK, 2011)

Published compositions, music theory publications, other works and essays

 *  Musik zu Aschenputtel (music to ‘Cinderella’) for Flute, Violin & Harp [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-071-0 (Germany 1999)
 * Musik zu Dornröschen (music to ‘Sleeping Beauty’) for Mixed & Female Choirs, Solos, Flute, Harp & Viola [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-077-X (Germany 1999)
 *  Musik zu Dornröschen (music to ‘Sleeping Beauty’) for Flute & Viola [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-078-8 (Germany 1999)
 *  Musik zu Dornröschen (music to ‘Sleeping Beauty’) for Harp, Alt, Mezzo & Female Choir [Grimm-Hammacher] 'KDV Verlag' ISBN 3-88861-079-6 (Germany 1999)
 * The Tides Of Time - for full orchestra - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London UK, 2009)
 * Reverie - for two pianos, oboe, cello & string ensemble - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * Tango Mood - for two bandoneons, oboe & string orchestra - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * One Fine Day - for harp, organ clarinet, string & brass ensembles - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * In Days Gone By - for full orchestra - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * Hazy Days - for clarinet, harp, string & brass ensemble - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * The King - for trumpet and string orchestra - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * The Road Back Home - for bandoneons, bagpipes, ocarina, brass & strings - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * Springtime In Sussex - for two pianos, clarinet, French horns & violin section - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * Joie De Vivre - for harpsichord, clarinet, piano, organ, trumpet, synthesizer brass & strings - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * Anthem (England O England) - for bassoon, clarinet, piano & pipe organ - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * The Joy Of Spring - for woodwinds, string ensemble, brass section & piano - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * The Passage Of Time - for piano, clarinet, brass & string section - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * The Endless Waves - for full orchestra - ‘Impromptu Music Publishing’, London, UK, 2009)
 * '''The Magical Sound’ (a Treatise on Music, Cosmology and Improvisation) Londonm England, 1993-97 (unpublished)
 * Inspirative Musik Gegen Das Chaos -‘Ketchup’ magazine, Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 1987)
 * Improvisation -‘International Waldorf Schools Conference’ magazine, Den Haag, Switzerland, 1985)
 * Über Musik Improvisation (On Improvisation In Music) -‘Migratio’ magazine, Bernd, Switzerland, July 985)
 * Erklärungen zu ‘Un Si Beau Jour’ –SFB Radio Sender Freies Berlin 'Journal in 3' program transcript (Red: Rudolf Ganz, Mod: Werner Rhode), Berlin, Germany, August 4, 1979)

Honours and awards

 * Youth Piano Prize, 'Conservatorio Grassi ', Theatro Ateneo, Buenos Aires, 1963
 * Young Conductor Scholarship, ‘Coro Femenino De San Justo’ Annual Scholarship by Roberto Saccente, 1978
 * Musical Director & Composer In Residence, Theatre Forum Drei, Stuttgart, Germany 1987-89
 * Yearly Sponsorship Award For The Arts by the Landesbank Baden Württemberg for the production Fata Morgana by Polo Piatti & Martina Merz, Germany, 1989
 * Official Examinations Pianist, Imperial Society Of Teachers Of Dance (ISTD) , London 1993-95
 * South Germany Kleintheatre Prize for Best Play and Best Music for Peer Gynt (Dir.: Wilfried Hammacher), Stuttgart, Germany 1990
 * Full Member, British Music Writers Council & PAMRA, London, since 1992
 * International Who’s Who In Music’ (entry for Polo Piatti in the classical field) -‘International Biographical Centre’, Cambridge, England, since 1996
 * Composer in Residence, St Mary In The Castle  Hastings, July/August 2011

Hastings, July/August 2011''