Francesco Ticciati

Francesco Ticciati (20 December 1893 – 10 February 1949) was an Italian composer, concert pianist, piano teacher and lecturer.

Life Born in Rome, he studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, studying piano with Francesco Baiardi, conducting with Giacomo Sentaccuoli and composition with Ottorino Respighi.

Around the end of the First World War, Francesco came to England and in 1920 he married Maria Stierli, with whom he had a daughter, Maeve, and a son, Niso.

“On 21 September 1920 he played Mendelssohn's First Concerto, and on 9 October of the same year the Busoni transcription of Liszt's Rhapsodie espagnole, a week later making his recital debut at the Wigmore Hall; that programme contained favourite pieces he was still playing 20 years later - Bach's Italian Concerto, Beethoven's 'Waldstein' Sonata, Chopin's Cjt minor Scherzo, Berceuse, Fantasy- Impromptu and Al> Polonaise, and the three of Liszt's Paganini Etudes - Capriccio, La chasse, …[and] La campanella.” (1884-1949) and Leon Goossens (1897–1988), for whom he composed a concerto that was later conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1929. Other partners included Angel Grandi, Frida Dancyger and Manilo Di Veroli.

In January 1937 The Musical Times recorded him passing the written examination for Doctor of Music at London University, via Trinity College, his exercise was a Symphony in F.

Francesco became a British citizen in 1936, in 1942 he became a lecturer to the troops on music. The BBC proceeded to offer him a sizable retainer of £800 to cover all broadcasting he might wish to do, however, Francesco declined the offer, saying he needed more time for composing.

In his later years, he settled in Amersham, where he lived at The Music Studio, Chestnut Close, until he died in 1949. He was a prominent figure within the music crowd of Amersham, often teaching and giving talks.

In an article titled ‘The Birth of a Dynasty: Remembering Francesco Ticciati’ the writer Leo Black comments; ‘The name has been associated with art forms since the time of the sculptor and architect Girolamo Ticciati (1671–1744)

His son Niso Ticciati (1924–1972) was a composer and arranger, his grandchildren include the designer Giovanna Ticciati and his great-grandchildren include the violinist Hugo Ticciati and conductor Robin Ticciati. Robin Ticciati made his debut at The Proms as a conductor in 2010 at the age of 27.