Niccolò Castiglioni

His student compositions were marked by Stravinsky's neo-classicism, but after graduation his style changed under the influence of the Second Viennese School. His interest in twelve-tone technique was joined with musical-political engagement, though this was short-lived. The Impromptus I–IV, identified by the composer as his first true opus, abandoned these expressionistic tensions, and these four short pieces exhibit a close relationship to Webern's aphoristic style, while also moving closer to the European avant garde. Personal contact with Luciano Berio at the RAI electronic music studio in Milan also influenced Castiglioni's direction at that time, and his attendance at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse completed this development. During the years 1958 to 1965 he taught at the Darmstadt Summer Courses. From 1966 to 1970 he taught composition as composer-in-residence at SUNY Buffalo (1966), visiting professor at the University of Michigan (1967), Regent Lecturer in composition at the University of California, San Diego (1968), and professor of the history of Renaissance music at the University of Washington (1969–70). Following his return to Italy in 1970, he eventually resumed teaching composition at the conservatories of Trent (1976–77), Milan (1977–89), Como (1989–91) and Milan once again (1991–96). Among his many students are Armando Franceschini, Giampaolo Testoni and Carlo Galante, Alfio Fazio, Aldo Brizzi, Matteo Silva and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Niccolò Castiglioni studied at Milan Conservatory. Esa-Pekka Salonen is recorded as having studied under Niccolò Castiglioni. The recorded working language is Italian. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are opera. Places of work recorded in the authority are Milan. Employment is recorded with University of Washington, University of California, San Diego and University at Buffalo. Work by Niccolò Castiglioni is recorded in the collections of Anne Frank House.