Alexandre Casaccia

Alexandre Casaccia is an Italian concert composer whose music has been praised for its “finely layered textures,” “lyrical expressivity,” and “intellectually engaging craft.” A recipient of multiple awards, with three commissions secured in under a year and performances across Italy and the United States, his emergence is marked by both artistic clarity and momentum.

Raised in a musical family, Casaccia gave his first piano recital at the age of six and began composing during his teenage years. After completing his formal training as a pianist, he shifted his focus to composition, studying at the Milan Conservatory with Paolo Arcà and participating in masterclasses led by Alessandro Solbiati, Frédéric Durieux, and Anton Safronov.

He graduated with highest honors in 2025 from the “Luca Marenzio” State Conservatory in Brescia, where he studied under internationally renowned composers Paolo Ugoletti and Federico Biscione. His graduation thesis—examining the enduring influence of 18th-century ideals on contemporary chamber music—reflects his commitment to reexamine contemporary music’s relationship with the past.

Eclectic in both taste and output, Casaccia’s work ranges from electroacoustic compositions to traditional chamber and orchestral music, resisting easy categorization. His creative practice is grounded in the belief that song is an anthropological constant, and that pitch—especially in its linear unfolding—acts as the primary architect of musical form. In this spirit, his compositions seek to reawaken the expressive power of song within a contemporary sound world, bridging historical memory with experimental innovation in a process of mnemonic deformation.

Since 2024, his works have been performed by distinguished soloists of national and international acclaim—including Francesca Fantini, Carlo Prampolini, Claudio Sanna, Mario Scucces, Alessandro Zanotti, Daniele Del Deo, Angelo Cavallo, and Alessio Brontesi—and conducted by Leonardo Perico and Federico Biscione.

Beyond his compositional work, Casaccia is active in education and research. He holds a degree in international relations and history from the London School of Economics (LSE), and has lectured widely across Europe on the intersection of contemporary music and cultural history. He is the author of From Palestrina to Bach: A Treatise on Counterpoint (2023), as well as numerous scholarly articles on music theory, history, and aesthetics.

In an era when music is often fragmented and self-referential, Alexandre Casaccia offers a voice “both earnest and structurally refined”, “intellectually rigorous yet emotionally generous”. His music reminds us that even amid noise and acceleration, there remains space to listen closely—to ourselves, to our histories, and to the quiet, mysterious power of sound.

Chronological catalog of works
(newest first)

Op. — original compositions (in traditional notation)
O — orchestrations / arrangements
E — electroacoustic works (fixed media)

COMPLETE CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ – available here
Casaccia, Alexandre. Catalogue Raisonné of Works, 1st ed.,
January 2026. DOI: forthcoming

Op.10 – LIMEN, SONATA FOR SOLO FLUTE (2026) – ca. 10′

Instrumentation: SOLO FLUTE
License: © 2026 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). All rights reserved

Op.9 – COMPOSITION IX, OBOE SONATA No. 1 (2026) – ca. 10′

Instrumentation: OBOE & PIANO
License: © 2026 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

Op.8 – HIGH STRANGENESS (2026) – ca. 19’30”

I. Tempo d’Attacco, II. Tempo di Mezzo, III. Arioso, IV. Finale

Instrumentation: WOODWIND & PIANO QUARTET

FLUTE, CLARINET (in Bb), BASSOON, PIANO

License: © 2026 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). All rights reserved

Op.7 – LARIO (2025) – ca. 15′ 
Written in tribute to Marco Enrico Bossi on the 100° anniversary of his death 

I. Prelude, II. Serenade, III. Scherzo, IV. Adagio, V. Dance, VI. Finale

Instrumentation: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

PICCOLO, 2 FLUTES, 2 OBOES, ENGLISH HORN, 2 CLARINETS, BASS CLARINET, 2 BASSOONS, CONTRABASSOON, 4 HORNS, 2 TRUMPETS, 2 TROMBONES, TUBA, PERCUSSION (2 players), TIMPANI (doubling 3rd percussionist), HARP, CELESTA, VIOLINS I & II, VIOLAS, CELLOS, DOUBLE BASSES

License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). All rights reserved

Op.6 – ARARAT (2025) – ca. 11′
Written as a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Armenian people

I. Ouverture, II. Misterioso, III. Recitativo, IV. Tempo di Mezzo, V. Gavotta, VI. Reprise

Instrumentation: WOODWIND QUINTET

1 FLUTE, 1 OBOE, 1 CLARINET (in Bb), 1 HORN (in F), 1 BASSOON

License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

Op.5 – ASPIRATION TO ENFOLD ALL, PRELUDES (2025) – ca. 30′ 
Cycle of preludes commissioned by and dedicated to concert pianist & contemporary music specialist Carlo Prampolini
 
I. Holy Mount Magdalen, II. The Light that Isn’t, III. Murmurs, IV. Remembrance, V. Underwater Glow, VI. The Source, VII. Playtime, VIII. Forbidden Passageways, IX. Downside of Devotion, X. Shivers, XI. Underworld to Surface, XII. Passion and Oblivion, XIII. Mists over Water, XIV. Lullaby, XV. Call of Wisdom, XVI. Dancing Shades

Instrumentation: SOLO PIANO

Premieres (partial):
– 8 June 2017, Puccini Hall, “G. Verdi” Conservatory, Milan; Mario Scucces (Nos. 7, 3) 
– 16 July 2022, Salone da Cemmo, “L. Marenzio” Conservatory, Brescia; Claudio Sanna (Nos. 4, 10, 8, 16, 12, 1) 

Publications:
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Aspiration to Enfold All, preludes. Score. Self-published edition, October 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17426092; also available on IMSLP

License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

Op.2 – SHADES OF LIGHT, THEME-LESS VARIATIONS (2025) – ca. 6′ 
Commissioned as part of the concert and recording project “Sartoria per Ottoni”, Darfo Conservatory

I. Introduzione, misterioso e nobile, II. Più vivo, III. Deciso, IV. Giocoso, a modo di danza

Instrumentation: BRASS SEXTET

Op.2a: 1 PICCOLO TRUMPET (in Bb), 3 TRUMPETS (in Bb), 1 TENOR TROMBONE, 1 BASS TROMBONE
Op.2b: 1 PICCOLO TRUMPET (in Bb), 2 TRUMPETS (in Bb), 1 HORN (in F), 1 TENOR TROMBONE, 1 BASS TUBA

Premiere (Op.2a): 24 Oct. 2025, “L. Marenzio” Conservatory auditorium, Darfo Boario Terme; Darfo Conservatory brass ensemble; Marcello Manfredi Bassi (piccolo trumpet), Angelo Cavallo (I° trumpet), Simone Carolfi (II° trumpet), Giuseppe Mercieri (III° trumpet), Giacomo Domenighini (tenor trombone), Alessio Brontesi (bass trombone); cond. Federico Biscione

Recordings (Op.2a):
– studio recording, 15 Oct. 2025, Brescia; Darfo Conservatory brass ensemble; cond. Federico Biscione
– live recording, 25 Oct. 2025, Salone da Cemmo, “L. Marenzio” Conservatory, Brescia; Darfo Conservatory brass ensemble; cond. Federico Biscione

Publications:
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Shades of Light, theme-less variations, Op.2a. Score and parts. Self-published edition, October 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17423852; also available on IMSLP
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Shades of Light, theme-less variations, Op.2b. Score and parts. Self-published edition, October 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17425241; also available on IMSLP

Discographic publications:
– Shades of Light, variazioni senza tema. In Sartoria per Ottoni. Darfo Conservatory Brass Ensemble; cond. Federico Biscione, CD in preparation (Brescia, 2026)

Catalogue references:
– CIDIM catalogue entry: Shades of Light, variazioni senza tema, Op.2 (Italian National Music Council, UNESCO partner)

License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

Op.1 – ANATOMY OF LIGHT (2024) – ca. 4′10″
Written for the centennial concert series “Puccini nel 100° della morte” – Brescia, Novara, Riva del Garda
 
Instrumentation: WOODWIND & PIANO DUET

Op.1a: ALTO SAXOPHONE (in Eb) & PIANO
Op.1b: CLARINET (in Bb) & PIANO

Premiere (Op.1a): 11 May 2024, Bazzini Hall, “L. Marenzio” Conservatory, Brescia; Francesca Fantini (alto saxophone), Alessandro Zanotti (piano) 

Recordings (Op.1a):
– live recording, 14 May 2024, “F.lli Olivieri” auditorium, “G. Cantelli” Conservatory, Novara; Francesca Fantini (asax), Alessandro Zanotti (pf)
– live recording, 18 May 2024, “F. Bonporti” Conservatory auditorium, Riva del Garda; Francesca Fantini (asax), Alessandro Zanotti (pf)

Publications:
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Anatomy of Light. Score. In Trame pucciniane. Studi, documenti e ricerche artistiche, edited by Giovanni Botta and Federico Fornoni, 161–166. Quaderni del Cantelli, vol. 1. Varese: Zecchini Editore, September 2025. ISBN: 978-88-6540-450-8
– Casaccia, Alexandre. Anatomy of Light. Score and parts. Self-published edition, October 2025. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17423458; also available on IMSLP

Catalogue references:
– CIDIM catalogue entry: Anatomy of Light, Op.1 (Italian National Music Council, UNESCO partner)

License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

O3 – DENZA/ROSSINI, NEAPOLITAN FANTASY (2025) – ca. 7′
A symphonic arrangement of two iconic tarantella dances 

I. Funiculì Funiculà (Denza), II. La Danza (Rossini)

Instrumentation: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
License: © 2025 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0

O2 – DEBUSSY, LA CATHÉDRALE ENGLOUTIE (2024) – ca. 5′ 
Written in partial fulfillment of the graduation requirements for the degree of Master of Music in composition

Instrumentation: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
License: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0

O1 – PROKOFIEV, PIANO SONATA No. 3 (2024) – ca. 8′ 
Written in partial fulfillment of the graduation requirements for the degree of Master of Music in Composition

Instrumentation: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
License: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0

E3 – SOUNDS OF WATER (2024) – 5′05″ 
Commissioned for a transdisciplinary performance event involving acousmatic pieces, photographs and art films

Instrumentation: ACOUSMATIC – PIANO (PREPARED/UNPREPARED), WATERFALL AND PLASTIC BOTTLE
Premiere: 20 Oct. 2024, Mare Culturale Urbano, Milan; fixed-media playback 
License: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

E2 – WASTELAND (2024) – 3′50″
Commissioned for a transdisciplinary performance event involving acousmatic pieces, photographs and art films
 
Instrumentation: ACOUSMATIC – PIANO (PREPARED/UNPREPARED) AND WINE BOTTLES
Premiere: 20 Oct. 2024, Mare Culturale Urbano, Milan; fixed-media playback 
License: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

E1 – TRASH-CAN STUDY (2024) – 1′28″ 
Commissioned for a transdisciplinary performance event involving acousmatic pieces, photographs and art films

Instrumentation: ACOUSMATIC – TRASH-CAN PERCUSSION AND WATER
Premiere: 20 Oct. 2024, Mare Culturale Urbano, Milan; fixed-media playback
License: © 2024 Alexandre Casaccia (SACEM). Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 

Alexandre Casaccia

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