Radamés Gnattali, born in Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, first studied piano and violin, and later the guitar and cavaquinho (a small guitar with four strings). In 1920 he enrolled at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Rio Grande do Sul where he graduated with honours. Then in Rio de Janeiro he gave a series of critically acclaimed piano recitals and studied at the National Music Institute. In the following years Gnattali established a reputation as a pianist, conductor and arranger, with a considerable contribution to the National Radio Orchestra in Rio from 1936 onwards.

Gnattali was a prolific composer, his output comprising symphonies, string quartets, 26 concertos for different instruments (including six concertos for guitar), ensemble music for various combinations, instrumental works for piano, violin, flute, guitar, etc., as well as a variety of songs.