Pianist and composer Ivo Antognini studied in Lucerne at the school that later would become the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. A self-taught composer, he has enjoyed composing and improvising on the piano since childhood. From 1990 to 1991 he studied at the Swiss Jazz School in Bern, an experience that led him to publish three CDs as composer and performer. From 1990 to 2004, he collaborated with various Swiss film makers for whom he composed several soundtracks.

In 2006 he began a collaboration with the Calicantus Choir in Locarno and its master and founder Mario Fontana, which led Antognini to devote himself almost exclusively to composing choral music. In a short time, his pieces spread internationally and were published by numerous prominent publishers. Antognini's pieces have been performed in more than fifty countries by highly-acclaimed choirs. Antognini currently teaches ear training and piano at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. He lives in Aranno, Switzerland with his wife Patrizia and his two children.