Ettore Stratta (March 30, 1933 – July 9, 2015) was an Italian-American conductor, producer and composer renowned for blending popular, jazz and classical music. Born in Cuneo, Italy, he studied piano and composition at Rome’s Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia before moving to the U.S.
In the 1960s, he joined Columbia Records as an A&R executive, notably securing a contract for Wendy Carlos, leading to the groundbreaking Switched-On Bach (1968). Stratta produced albums for Barbra Streisand (Je M’Appelle Barbra), Tony Bennett (The Art of Excellence), and artists like Dave Brubeck and Lena Horne.
As a conductor, he led prestigious orchestras, including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and Melbourne Symphony, often fusing genres. His notable works include Symphonic Elvis (1996) with the Memphis Symphony, Symphonic Bossa Nova (1994) and Symphonic Tango. Stratta also staged major concerts at venues like Carnegie Hall, collaborating with stars like Stephane Grappelli and Yo-Yo Ma.
With his wife, Pat Philips, he produced over 50 pop, jazz and classical events. Stratta died in Manhattan at 82, leaving a legacy of innovative crossover recordings and dynamic orchestral performances that bridged musical worlds.
44 recordings by Ettore Stratta you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
Abrazame • Are You Lonesome Tonight • As Time Goes By • Atras da Porta • Berimbau • Brazil – Bahia • Burning Love • Can’t Help Falling In Love • Con Te Partirò (Time Tos Say Goodbye) • Curumin • De Niña A Mujer • Don’t Be Cruel • Dream • Falling In Love • Heartbreak Hotel • Hey • How Great Thou Art – He Touched Me – Battle Hymn Of The Republic • How Insensitive • If I Can Dream • If You Went Away • Just The Way You Are • Love Me Tender • Manha de Carnaval • Me Olvide De Vivir • Momentos • My Foolish Heart • My Heart Will Go On • No Me Vuelvo A Enamorar • One Note Samba – The Girl from Ipanema • Por Ella • Preguntale • Return To Sender • Smile – Eternally • Surrender – It’s Now Or Never • Suspicious Minds • That’s All Right • The Island – Daquilo Que Eu Sei • The Shadow Of Your Smile • The Summer Knows – Estate • Trenta Y Tres Años • Un Dia Tu, Un Dia Yo • Wave • Yesterday – Michelle • Yours Is My Heart Alone •
