"The sole art treasures that future generations value are those that embody beauty, have been done truthfully and with goodness of heart"
Polo Piatti
M A N I F E S T O
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On Emotion, Harmony and Beauty​​​​
Polo Piatti doesn't believe in fanciful trends. On the contrary, he knows that the real future of classical music depends on composing new works that are supported by what has been created before. He believes in composing new works based in the old tradition and not in destroying it just to be "original". In other words, he is a fervent champion for preserving and promoting melody and consonance in the contemporary classical music world of today. His lifelong commitment and guidance in advocating for harmonious and melodic compositions have become an inspiring legacy for many. Unwavering in his dedication to crafting music he defines as close to beautiful as he possibly can. This is because he firmly believes that genuine beauty possesses universal recognition, owing to its adherence to the principles of symmetry, equilibrium, and naturally defined laws. Throughout the years, Piatti has passionately shared his beliefs through leading workshops, delivering lectures, and is currently in the process of writing a book on the subject. In his compositional work, he emphasizes the forgotten power of music, asserting that contemporary classical music has the potential to be more accessible and appealing to wider audiences by fostering beautiful, harmonious compositions. For Piatti, the traditional wisdom concerning the transformative power of beauty within music (and the arts as a whole) has been largely overlooked or forgotten. Building upon his commitment to advocating for accessible music, Piatti established several noteworthy organizations in the United Kingdom, complementing his ongoing efforts through talks and workshops. Among these is the Hastings Sinfonia, a long-standing orchestra that showcases exclusively accessible compositions. Additionally, Piatti founded the International Composers Festival, an annual weekend event that gathers composers from around the globe, aiming to foster and celebrate the creation of beautiful music. Piatti explains: "Unfortunately, the prevailing trend continues to dictate that contemporary classical music must be avant-garde and intellectual, often resulting in dissonant, atonal, and melody-devoid works – music for the mind, not the heart." He adds, "I firmly believe, now more than ever, that in these challenging times, humanity needs beautiful, tuneful music to evoke a range of emotions, allowing us to recover and heal. As a composer, touching people's hearts is my primary motivation, as classical music risks becoming elitist and irrelevant otherwise."​​​​ (Wilhelm Schwarzkopf, Bern, Switzerland, 1985 - Translated from the German by Bill Taylor) ​
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Spirituality Intertwined with Music​
The allure of Polo Piatti's music lies in its ability to forge an emotional connection with its audience through vivid and thought-provoking imagery. Although deceptively simple, his compositions reveal intricate layers upon closer examination, skilfully intertwining the graceful simplicity of the Apollonian musical tradition - as showcased in works such as his 'Entangled Miniatures' and portions of his oratorio 'Libera Nos’ - with the turbulent, impassioned essence of the Dionysian tradition, most prominently featured in his 'Bohemian Piano Concerto'. This integration of musical philosophies allows Piatti's work to resonate deeply with listeners, evoking a powerful emotional response.
His connection to music extends beyond mere expression of the artistic; he perceives it as an act of profound spirituality. Grounded in esoteric foundations and principles and his personal understanding of, the Four Elements and Yearly Seasons, etc. each composition reflects a specific melody, harmony, and rhythm meticulously based and constructed on his own reflection, and experience. Consequently, Piatti's inspirations originate not only from spontaneous creative impulses but also from his studies and understanding of the laws of the cosmos and nature itself." (Wilhelm Schwarzkopf, Bern, Switzerland, 1985 - Translated from the German by Bill Taylor)
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'Civilized man, living in a world riddled with artificiality, is in danger of forgetting primary phenomena. In our day it seems necessary to point out that melody is such a primary phenomenon, and that there has never been a period in history when melody was not the essence of what people considered to be music.'
Hans Gál (‘Franz Schubert and the Essence of Melody’ - London 1974)