Roberto Toscano (b. 1982) is a Brazilian composer who resides in the United States awhile he seeks to complete his masters’ degree in composition (Tufts University). Toscano attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, USA (2002-2006) where he studied composition with Vuk Kulenovic. Roberto has been greatly influenced by the music of Ligeti, Penderecki, Lutoslawski, Messiaen, and Kulenovic.

Toscano’s music has been performed and premiered in South America, North America, and Europe. His current projects include: Double Concerto for Violin, Piano, and Orchestra; a work for Soprano, String Orchestra, and Percussion; as well as a commission for the Firebird ensemble of Boston. Along side Kota Nakamura (Boston based composer), Toscano has created the Nova-Composers Association that organizes concerts and events in the United States and abroad. Roberto’s Chamber Concerto, which is dedicated to Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock, will be premiered in the United States in early 2009.

Capriccio for Solo Cello n.01

Capriccio for Solo Cello n.01 is a miniature for cello composed in 2008. This work is a small part of a planned set of capriccios for the instrument, which should be completed over the course of the next few years. This particular study is on the technical ability of dealing with quadruple stopped chords, as well as the ability to bow alternating double stopped figures. Capriccio n.01 is dedicated to Jennifer Senosiain, who is one of the key figures in the composers’ life.