Eclectic musician, music composer for the theatreand expert in creative music, Paolo De Gaspari initially studied percussion, piano, guitar and saxophone as a self-taught musician. At the age of 17 he began his professional experience in a big band as a saxophonist, and two years later he decided to devote himself to classical music, studying clarinet with Adalberto Ferrari. In 1994 he graduated at the "G.Nicolini" Conservatory in Piacenza. In 1994 he won the position of bass clarinet for the Italian Youth Orchestra, as clarinet at the Wien Klangstil - under the patronage of the Wiener Philharmonic Orchestra - and from 1995 to 1998 he was part of the Rotary Club Orchestra. He later decided to devote himself to the bass clarinet - his true passion – and to chamber music. Winner of a scholarship, he graduated in bass clarinet at the Rotterdam Conservatory with Henri Bok and specialized in modern, contemporary and extended technique music.
Since 1998 he has carried out an intense international career both in teaching and concert activity and he has performed for the most important clarinet festivals in Europe, playing over two hundred concerts as a soloist and in chamber music ensembles. He has held masterclass and concerts in important European and American music institution, such us University of Hangor of Wales, Sibelius Academy of Helsinki, Royal College of Music of London, Royal Northern College of Manchester, Berganza Conservatory of Madrid, Conservatory of Milan, Rio de Janeiro University, Merida Projecto Musica Mexico and Utrecht Conservatorium in the Neederlands.
He has been member of the Jury in international competitions: 2012 CASS International Clarinet Competition in London, along with David Campbell and Lynda Merric, 2014 International Competition Mercadante in Bari (Italy), along with Patrick Messina and Luis Gomez.
As a part of his solo and chamber career he has won the following competition: 1st prize at the National CamaioreCompetition, 1st prize at the National Pistoia Competition, 2nd prize at the International Competition ‘Rovere d’Oro’, 1st prize at the National Grosseto Competition, special prize of the Jury at the National Cento Competition and 2nd prize at the Budapest International Clarinet Competition.
He has held numerous positions as clarinet and bass clarinet professor in various European institutions. From 2003 to 2015 he was professor of bass clarinet at the International Academy of Bass Clarinet in Pordenone, since 2007 he has been guest professor at the Birmingham Royal Conservatoire in England, and since 2016 he has been professor of bass clarinet at the Trinity Laban Conservatory in London. From 2019 to 2024 he has been professor of bass clarinet at the Royal Mons Conservatoire in Belgium.
He recorded several CDs with various formations: with the Emiliano Clarinet Quartet, as bass clarinet soloist with concert band and other three as solo bass clarinet. He also published several books: three methods for bass clarinet and a piece for bass clarinet and piano with Farandola Edition, and he edited the series of work for bass clarinet published by Animando.
Among the most important compositions dedicated to him, there are the ‘Bass Concertì by Michele Managani for bass clarinet and orchestra (first performance at Tampere-Finland, directed by Michele Mangani), ‘Kanaf’ for bass clarinet, live electronics, tape and video by israeli composer Yaval Avital (first performance at ClarinetFest in Madrid), ‘Biglieobilie’ for bass clarinet and tape by Carlo Tenan (first performance at Como Theatre), ‘Sine Tempora insulae’ for bass clarinet and live electronics, composed by Nicola Evangelisti (first performance at ClarinetFest in Assisi).
Among his discographic collaborations, the one for the latest CD of the great Giora Feidman stands out, with whom he recorded a duo for clarinet and bass clarinet.
It has been recently released also his last CD ‘Alone’, for bass clarinet, made with original compositions and awarded with five stars by the specialist magazine "Musica" and by the magazine "Cass magazine" with "Editor Choice."
