POLO PIATTI

Polo Piatti is an award-winning British-Argentine composer, conductor and concert pianist whose music is distinguished by its lyrical beauty, emotional directness and melodic richness. Drawing upon European Romanticism, French Impressionism, Argentine rhythms and the expressive possibilities of contemporary orchestral writing, his compositions bridge the classical tradition with an accessible and deeply human musical language.

Born in Buenos Aires, Piatti began studying music at the age of three. His unusual musical ability was recognised early in his life and, at the uncommon age of twelve, he was accepted by merit into the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires.
After completing his musical training in Argentina, he continued his studies first in Paris and subsequently in Berlin. This international education exposed him to several contrasting musical traditions and helped to shape the broad artistic outlook that has remained central to his identity as a composer. He has been based in Britain for more than thirty years and now lives in Hastings, East Sussex.

Piatti has devoted his life to creating original concert and theatrical music. His extensive catalogue encompasses orchestral and choral works, concertos, ballets, opera, chamber music, solo piano compositions and music for the theatre. Melody lies at the heart of his work, supported by rich harmonies, rhythmic vitality and an often cinematic sense of atmosphere. His music seeks to communicate directly with audiences while retaining the depth, craftsmanship and emotional range of the classical tradition.

Piatti's compositions have been performed and recorded internationally by distinguished orchestras, ensembles and soloists. These include the, the National Symphony Orchestra of the United Kingdom, the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Mozart Players.
 

Among his major orchestral works is Sentimental Journey, a large-scale symphonic suite inspired by travel, memory and the emotional landscapes encountered along the way. The work was recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, with Piatti appearing as pianist and conducting from the piano. One of its best-known movements, Once Upon a Train, reflects his characteristic combination of melodic warmth, rhythmic movement and evocative orchestral colour. Sentimental Journey received its world premiere in Osaka, Japan, in 2012 with Piatti at the piano.
 

His concert hall works include the Bohemian Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, recorded by the National Symphony Orchestra of the United Kingdom with American pianist Thomas Pandolfi and conductor John Andrews. The concerto combines virtuosity with romantic lyricism and a strong dramatic narrative. Other large concertos include the Old World Concerto for Cello & Orchestra - premiered by the NSO with Justin Pearson on cello - the Memorial Concerto for Violin & Orchestra and the Christmas Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra, premiered by the Budapest Scoring Symphonic Orchestra and Sergio Puccini as the soloist.

Some of Piatti’s must popular orchestral works also includes The Birds, The Walk, (premiered by the Ensemble De La Belle Musique in Singapore) Agitato (premiered by the Imperial College Strings Orchestra and Piatti at the piano in London), Lullaby for a Clown, The Tides of Time and the fourteen Argentine Dances, recorded by the Polyphonic Symphony Orchestra, The latter draw upon the energy, colour and rhythmic heritage of his native Argentina while remaining part of his wider and highly individual musical language.
 

His symphonic poem Duty Sublime was privately commissioned Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The work occupies a particularly meaningful place in his career and reflects his ability to bring dignity, emotion and ceremonial grandeur together within a contemporary composition.
Another of his most significant works is the multi-faith oratorio Libera Nos. Conceived as a musical appeal for peace, understanding and spiritual unity, the work brings together sacred and humanistic ideas across religious and cultural boundaries. It was premiered by the London Mozart Players.
After the score was brought to the attention of Pope Francis by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Piatti received a personal letter from the Pope - an acknowledgement he regards as one of the great honours of his life.
 

His theatrical works include the full-length ballet Ismanien, an international collaboration bringing together artists from Britain, Sweden and Japan. The ballet was inspired by the childhood inner world and original artistic vision of Swedish artist Ida Haag, with the ballet adaptation created by actress and former dancer Martina Mars. The choreography and dance direction are by Japanese choreographer Mayu Uesugi.
Exploring the themes of ice, memory, identity and existence, Ismanien tells of a journey towards rediscovering a lost inner self. The production demonstrates Piatti’s belief that music can communicate beyond the boundaries of spoken language: the ballet was developed despite the composer speaking no Japanese and the choreographer speaking no English.
The world premiere of Ismanien took place at the Dawn Hall in Osaka in September 2026, performed by the Niconimiel Dance Company and produced by Morinomiya Arts. The original album of the ballet music was released internationally by Seafront Records.
 

Piatti is currently composing the three-act opera Mata Hari. Inspired by the life of Margaretha Zelle, better known as Mata Hari, the opera presents her not simply as the legendary exotic dancer and alleged spy, but as a complex woman caught within the political machinery, prejudices and injustices of her time. Written in a passionate, neo-Romantic musical language, the opera combines large-scale orchestral writing with intimate arias, duets and dramatic choruses.
His compositions for solo piano include Vintage Piano, an album founded upon the art of spontaneous musical creation. Classical non jazz Improvisation has always occupied an important place in Piatti’s life as a pianist. In 2012, he gave what is believed to have been the first ever solo piano classically improvised recitals, first at the Otemon Gakuin University in Osaka and later at the Bechstein Hall in Tokyo, creating music in the moment before a live audience.
 

His chamber works include Entangled Miniatures, while The Impossible Pieces was world premiered at the International Composers Festival. Written for three soloists and orchestra, the suite explores exceptional technical and expressive demands while retaining the sense of character and direct communication that runs throughout his work.
 

Alongside his career as a composer and performer, Piatti has created and led several important musical organisations. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the International Composers Festival, established in Hastings to give composers from around the world the opportunity to have their music performed by professional musicians before a live audience. The festival has championed both established and emerging composers and has helped to bring a wide variety of new music into the concert hall.
 

Piatti is also the founder and Artistic Director of Hastings Sinfonia, an orchestra created to enrich the cultural life of Hastings and the surrounding region through ambitious and accessible performances. In addition, he founded the iconic Opus Theatre and the ClassicUs Salons, reflecting his longstanding commitment to bringing artists and audiences together and creating new opportunities for live music.
 

His contributions to music and the cultural life of his community were recognised with the Arrow FM Gold Award in 2013. He is a member of the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain and of the prestigious Twenties Club, whose distinguished former members include Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, George Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf and Sir Henry Rider Haggard.
 

Piatti’s work is guided by a profound belief in the transformative power of music. For him, music is not merely an intellectual construction, but a living language capable of expressing beauty, truth, compassion and shared humanity. Whether writing for a full symphony orchestra, a ballet company, a choir, an individual soloist or the theatre, he seeks to create music that is emotionally sincere and that remains with the listener long after the final note.
 

Although his career has brought international performances, recordings and distinguished recognition, Piatti continues to regard the opportunity to communicate with audiences as the greatest privilege of his profession. His creative life remains centred upon new compositions, artistic collaborations and projects that bring together performers and audiences across national and cultural boundaries.

Anton Ingram