Severino Gazzelloni
Italian flutist and dedicatee of major contemporary compositions.
Severino Gazzelloni (5 January 1919 – 21 November 1992) was an Italian flutist. For three decades, he was the principal flautist of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin. Numerous composers dedicated works to him, including Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Bruno Maderna, and Igor Stravinsky. Gazzelloni also taught flute; his students included jazz musician Eric Dolphy, classical flautist Abbie de Quant, flautists Ann Cherry and Carol Wincenc, composer Norma Beecroft, and audio engineer Marina Bosi. Dolphy honored his teacher by naming a composition after him, featured on his 1964 album *Out to Lunch!*. In the summer of 1976, Gazzelloni toured Italy, performing with classical pianist Bruno Canino and a jazz ensemble. He appeared in the 1980 film *"FF.SS." – Cioè: "...che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più bene?"*. Born in Roccasecca, he died in Cassino.
- born
- 5 January 1919, Roccasecca
- died
- 21 November 1992, Cassino
- field
- Flutist
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Principal flautist with RAI National Symphony Orchestra; dedicatee of works by Berio, Boulez, Maderna, Stravinsky
Lore & Background
Severino Gazzelloni was born in Roccasecca and died in Cassino. He was the principal flautist with the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin for 30 years. Composers including Luciano Berio (Sequenza I for solo flute, 1958), Pierre Boulez, Bruno Maderna, and Igor Stravinsky wrote pieces for him.
Gazzelloni was also a flute teacher. His notable pupils included jazz player Eric Dolphy, classical flautist Abbie de Quant, flautists Ann Cherry and Carol Wincenc, composer Norma Beecroft, and audio engineer Marina Bosi. Dolphy honored Gazzelloni by naming a composition for him, included in his 1964 Out to Lunch! album.
In summer 1976 he toured through Italy, performing with classical pianist Bruno Canino and a jazz combo that included Enrico Intra, Giancarlo Barigozzi, Pino Presti, Tullio De Piscopo, and Sergio Farina. He also appeared in the 1980 film "FF.SS." – Cioè: "...che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più bene?"
Reader's Guide
Severino Gazzelloni's significance lies in his long tenure as principal flautist of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin and his role as a dedicatee of major contemporary works. Composers such as Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Bruno Maderna, and Igor Stravinsky wrote pieces specifically for him, linking his name to landmark compositions like Berio's Sequenza I. His influence extended through teaching, with pupils including jazz innovator Eric Dolphy, who named a composition after him on the album Out to Lunch!. Gazzelloni's 1976 Italian tour blended classical and jazz performance, and his film appearance in 1980 added a minor cinematic footnote. His legacy is preserved in the bibliography by Alessandra Vaccarone, which covers his impact on contemporary flute literature from 1952 to 1980.
Did You Know?
- He was principal flautist with the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin for 30 years.
- Eric Dolphy named a composition for Gazzelloni on his 1964 album Out to Lunch!.
- He performed with a jazz combo in summer 1976 that included drummer Tullio De Piscopo.
- He appeared in the 1980 film 'FF.SS.' – Cioè: '...che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più bene?'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Severino Gazzelloni?
Severino Gazzelloni was an Italian flutist born in Roccasecca in 1919 who spent roughly thirty years as principal flautist of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin. He died in Cassino in 1992.
What is Severino Gazzelloni's connection to jazz?
Gazzelloni is best known in jazz circles as the flute teacher of Eric Dolphy, the pioneering free-jazz flutist and saxophonist. Dolphy paid tribute to his mentor by naming a composition after him, a track that appears on his 1964 album Out to Lotta.
Why is Severino Gazzelloni important to classical music?
His long tenure as principal flutist of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin made him a central figure in Italian orchestral life. His standing was so high that major contemporary composers—Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Bruno Maderna, and Igor Stravinsky—dedicated works specifically to him.
Who were Severino Gazzelloni's notable students?
His pupils included jazz flutist Eric Dolphy, classical flautists Abbie de Quant, Ann Cherry, and Carol Wincenc, composer Norma Beecroft, and audio engineer Marina Bosi. His teaching reach extended well beyond Italy, particularly into the United States.
Where and when was Severino Gazzelloni born, and where did he die?
Gazzelloni was born on 5 January 1919 in Roccasecca, Italy, and passed away on 21 November 1992 in Cassino. His professional peak came during his decades-long tenure with the RAI orchestra in Turin.
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