In Remembrance: Renato Premezzi, Professor Emeritus of Music

A gifted concert pianist, composer, mentor, and teacher, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, where he taught before coming to Beloit.

Professor Premezzi, or simply “Renato,” as he asked students to call him, was legendary for the passion he brought to performing and teaching. Former students especially recall his kindness and encouraging approach to teaching music, as well as his course on Music in Film — a perennial Beloit favorite. He also is remembered as a staunch supporter of students in all their artistic endeavors.

He was well-known on stages around the world and in the Beloit region, performing locally with the Beloit-Janesville Symphony, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and on Wisconsin Public Radio. He spent many summers teaching piano in Italy at the University of Urbino and taught master classes throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. His original compositions for symphony orchestra, voice, ballet, piano, and theatre have been performed in the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland, and China.

A memorial concert organized by Professor Premezzi’s students and friends was held in his honor at First Congregational Church in Beloit in September.

Among the survivors are his wife, Nina Chen Premezzi’96, and a daughter.