Paradiso, Francesco Maria

Francesco Maria Paradiso was born in Catania and lives in Milan.

He obtained the Academic Degree of II level in Composition – Technological branch – with full marks at the Conservatory of Milan with Giuseppe Giuliano. He obtained the Degree in Composition ‘cum laude’ at the Conservatory of Novara with Franco Balliana. He completed a degree in organ and organ composition at the Conservatory of Piacenza with Luigi Molfino.
He was an active composer at the master-classes for composers and conductors lead by Peter Eötvös, Hilversum (NL), and he attended courses of composition and musical analysis at the Academy of Music in Krakow (PL) lead by Marek Stachowski, courses of composition with electronics lead by Jonathan Harvey, Metz (F), of composition with electronic devices lead by Giovanni Cospito, Milan (I), compostion and electronic music courses at the Hochshule für Musik Freiburg (D).
Scholarships and composer in residences: Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) (CH), Studio CCMIX – Centre de Crèation Musicale Iannis Xenakis (F), Herrenhaus Edenkoben (D), Government of the Polish Republic – Academy of Music in Krakow.
Composer of instrumental music as well electronic music have said about him: ‘I have followed his work for about five years and have had the chance to know his personality […] his original music and aesthetic views. His work shows a strong personal signs with a clear technical skill’ (Peter Eötvös). ‘Francesco is a composer possessing an exceptional talent […]. His music shows the imprint of a strong personal voice and extraordinary technical skill’ (Marek Stachowski). ‘Artista che dimostra pieno possesso dei mezzi tecnici, originalità di pensiero nell’ambito musicale e segnatamente della musica contemporanea’ (Ettore Borri). ‘Musicista di talento e di solida preparazione, nonché ricercatore tenace ed intelligente’ (Alessandro Solbiati). ‘Francesco Paradiso is one of the most interesting composers of his generation. He has extraordinary skill with instrumental music as well electronic music. His sense of sound is always fascinating and always new’’ (Giuseppe Giuliano).
Among his prizes for composition include: 1°er Prix Sacem – 3ème Concours International de Composition OFF (Orchestre de Flûtes Français), Parigi, International IMRO Composers’ Competition (Eire), ‘Egidio Carella’ International Composition Competition (I), ‘Rocco Rodio’, organ composition (I). Among musical performances: Ensemble Modern (D), Ensemble Instrumental de l’Orchestre Philarmonique du Luxembourg (L), Ensemble MW2 (PL), Ensemble Laboratorium (CH), Ensemble Aventure (D), Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble Wien (A). Among reviews and musical seasons: Weimarer Frühjahrstage für zeitgenössiche Musik, Weimar (D), Lucerne Festival (CH), Traiettorie, Parma (I), NDR Das Neue Werk, Hamburg (D), Internationale Gesellschaft für Neue Musik (IGNM), Basel (CH), Society for the Promotion of the New Music, London (UK), Feldkirch Festival (A), Festival Forfest, Kromeriz (CZ), Vespri d’organo, Milan (I). Among performers: Pierre Yves Artaud, Dagmar Becker, Fritz Schwinghammer, Alain Billard, Francesco Catena, Franz Comploi, Domenico Carlo Melchiorre, Lukas Vogelsang.
He lead seminars of musical analysis, composition and electronic composition at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Stuttgart (D), at the Conservatory of Novara and at the Conservatory of Lugano (CH). He taught harmony and musical production at the New Technologies Department at the Conservatory in Milan. He was research fellow at the Conservatory of Novara where he teaches acoustic, musical computer science and multimedia systems. He is professor of Composition at the Conservatory Umberto Giordano of Foggia (I).
His compositions are published by Verlag Neue Musik Berlin.

Photo: Walter Favarato