(b Zagarolo, 16 July 1904). Italian composer. A pupil of Bustini at the Conservatorio di S Cecilia, Rome (1928-33), he began teaching there in 1939. During the 1930s he was influenced by Hindemith, Stravinsky and the later Casella, but in the 1950s his music became atonal and in the 1960s athematic, while its bold colouring and rhythmic energy were intensified. His major works include a cycle of eight concertos for orchestra (1934-72), large-scale choral pieces (Magnificat, 1940; Coro di morti, 1941; Noche oscura, 1951), much chamber and instrumental music. After Dallapiccola he was the most important and influential Italian musician of his generation.

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