Sorry to hear this.Sent from my Galaxy
-------- Original message --------From: Goanet Reader <[email protected]>
Date: 23/05/2021 05:23 (GMT+05:30) To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb.
1994!" <[email protected]> Subject: [Goanet-News] Remembering the Argentinian
who re-enkindled a spark for the Goan Western classical and sacred music scene
(Roque Lazarus) By Roque Lazarus+91 99700 61060This was written shortly after I
read the sad news that Prof.Santiago Lusardi Girelli has passed away. He was
musicallyvery talented and had a vast knowledge about music, rightfrom the
Medieval period through to the Renaissance, Baroque,Classical, Romantic, and
the Modern/Contemporary. A handsome gentleman who could get ready an
eight-part and even a twelve-part choir within a few months, he
held the highest post for music education in the state of Goa; the Goa
University Maestro Anthony Gonsalves Chair.When he had arrived in Goa
with his team of Spanish teachers,singers, and musicians, I promptly enrolled
for his five-daycourse at the Goa University. It was open to members of
thegeneral public.It was interesting to observe the way in which he taught
andnarrated anecdotes from history. About the zither (aninstrument from the
class of stringed instruments, whose nameis believed to come from the Greek
word 'cithara'), the harpand other old instruments... Or old score notation
tabs.But a special passion that I observed in him was for modernmusic
compositions inspired by John Milton Cage Jr., theinfluential 20th-century
composer and American composer,music theorist, artist, and philosopher.
Lusardi wrote andnotated the sounds of traffic as a score, along with thesounds
of nature. As for me, I could only faintly understandwhat he was trying to do
or convey.The team of musicians that accompanied him was curious aboutGoa and
India, but in particular about the village ofCaranzalem, the suburb of Panjim.
That's where they had aluncheon over the first meeting, to which I was also
invitedby the organizing committee.Putting in my two pence musically -- while
understandingtheir perspectives of music, people, and cultures -- Iremember
Lusardi and his team were curious about the Indianway of life and Goan culture.
They even surprisingly proddedme on to share my views on mysticism.It was
heartening to see that a duo within his group wereinspired to call their act
'Caranzalem'! When Lusardi asked how I was contributing to the
orchestra, I told him as a double-bassist. Upon hearing which, he
asked me my rehearsal schedule. When I said thrice a week, he gently
brought it to my notice that a musician, singer or artist, has to
practice everyday. And correctly. Or else the title itself becomes
a mockery as the mind will work but body simply won't react when the
need to perform arises.Since then, I hadn't been keeping in touch with
him or thegroup for many years. I however met and conversed brieflywith his
dear wife, the soft-spoken Clara.But the late Maestro Prof. Santiago Lusardi
Girelli -- avictim to Covid in Goa -- will surely be remembered as
theArgentinian who re-ignited a spark once again in the Goan Westernclassical
and sacred music scene. One who encouraged manysingers to participate as
inspired singular members of aformidable choir.While offering his bereaved
family, colleagues, orchestra,choir, friends, and admirers my sympathy and
sincerecondolences, I pray that his soul may rest in peace.--Roque Lazarus is a
popular musician, music teacher andsomeone well respected in the community for
his many skills,including an ability to play 30+ instruments, plus hisqualities
of mind and heart.
