Giulio Castagnoli’s musical heritage is wide-ranging and diverse, steeped in the ancient music of the Maghreb and Andalusia, and prominently influenced by the vibrant colours of Monteverdi’s madrigals and the complexity of Giacinto Scelsi’s orchestral music. The essence of his works lies in his understanding of the physical realities of life and music. His mother’s family was of Sephardic Jewish origin, and this brought him closer to the sound and spiritual world of the Middle East, while the music of India and the Far East has also influenced his compositions over time.