Biography
Gabriele Rota graduated in piano — with top marks and honors — under the guidance of Tiziana Moneta, and in composition with Vittorio Fellegara, at the "Donizetti" Conservatory in Bergamo.
He subsequently studied at the Academies of Biella and Rome with Aldo Ciccolini, who wrote of him: "His ability to assimilate different styles is as miraculous as his ability to master works of great difficulty. Gabriele Rota has everything it takes for an international career."
He has also taken part in masterclasses with Jörg Demus and Sequeira Costa.
In 1986 he formed a piano duo with Tiziana Moneta, internationally recognized as one of the most compelling ensembles on the music scene, appearing as a guest of Italy's and Europe's most prestigious concert institutions.
As part of the Duo, Gabriele Rota has recorded numerous CDs including, among others, the world premiere recording of works by Respighi and Brahms, the complete works for piano duo by Debussy, Ravel and Dvořák, and numerous world premieres written specifically for them by major Italian composers.
The Bergamo-born pianist is also very active in chamber music with other musicians.
In 2011 he began a collaboration with flautist Antonella Bini, which has led the two performers to appear at numerous concert series and festivals, including live radio broadcasts, in a repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary, often featuring works dedicated to them by distinguished composers.
With clarinetist Rocco Parisi he has recorded several CDs devoted to twentieth-century Italian music, rarities and transcriptions; an album of chamber music by Nino Rota is currently in preparation.
Parisi and Rota's interpretation of pieces by Ennio Morricone was highly praised by the composer himself, who commended their "beautiful performance, deeply felt and sensitive."
Gabriele Rota is also a soloist in recitals throughout Italy and abroad; he frequently performs alongside actors (including Sonia Grandis, Enzo Guerini and Gabriele Laterza) who read poetry alongside music by Schubert, Chopin, Brahms, Debussy and his own compositions.
He is also a permanent member of the ACHROME Ensemble, dedicated to promoting twentieth-century and contemporary repertoire in Italy and abroad.
From 2004 to 2016 he served as secretary of the Italian Society for Contemporary Music (SIMC), a role long held by Vittorio Fellegara.
Compositions by Gabriele Rota have been performed in Italy and abroad and published by Bèrben and Ut Orpheus.
The magazine Seicorde selected his "Notturno e Divertissement" for voice and guitar as "Score of the Month."
Gabriele Rota regularly gives lectures on musical topics; in 2008 he took part in the international conference "Giacomo Puccini 1858–2008," held between Lucca and Milan and promoted by the National Committee for the Puccini Celebrations.
After teaching at the Conservatories of Bari, Brescia and Vicenza, Gabriele Rota currently holds the chair of Score Reading at the "G. Verdi" Conservatory in Milan.
