1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Piatti, Carlo Alfredo

PIATTI, CARLO ALFREDO (1822–1901), Italian violoncellist, was born at Bergamo on the 8th of January 1822 He was the son of a violinist, and became a pupil at the conservatorio of Milan. From 1838 onwards he journeyed over Europe, playing with extraordinary success in all the important cities of the continent. In 1844 he appeared before the London public at a Philharmonic Concert, and in 1859, on the foundation of the Popular Concerts, he took up the work with which he was most intimately connected for thirty-nine seasons, retaining until 1897 the post of first violoncello at these famous chamber concerts, during the latter half of each series. His purely classical style, his wide musical sympathies, and his general culture and charm, would have ensured him a high position even without his marvellously finished technical skill. In 1894 the fiftieth anniversary of his first appearance in London was celebrated by a reception given in honour of him and his lifelong friend Joachim. He retired from public life, owing to a severe illness, in 1897, and until his death at Bergamo on the 19th of July 1901 divided his time between his native town and Cadenabbia. As a composer he attained a wide popularity with some graceful and popular songs, he did excellent work as an editor; and he was an enthusiastic collector and musical antiquary.