Born in Naples in 1903, some 25 years later than Respighi, Mario Pilati belonged to the group of such disparate personalities as Petrassi, Dallapiccola, Salviucci, Rieti, Mortari, Scelsi and Rota. Pilati was a prolific composer, writing in the major forms of chamber, vocal and orchestral music. Like many of his contemporaries, he had an interest in the instrumental music of the past, particularly that of his own country. An example of this is the Suite for Strings and Piano of 1925, which is neo-classical in style. His other love, that of folk music, is also evident in later works, such as the Concerto in C major for Orchestra, with its ebullient finale ‘alla tirolese’. The attractive lullaby Alla culla comes from the very end of his life.