|
On
September 28 1952 at 10 AM in Turin, Italy −
in the hall on the ground floor of Palazzo
Carignano, in the Piazza of the same name −
the participants of the XIV Guitar
Convention, sponsored by the Unione
Chitarristica Internazionale (UCI) or
International Guitar Union, gathered to
discuss the following agenda:
1)
Appointment of the Chairman and the Secretary
of the Assembly;
2)
Greetings from the «Carlo Reineri» Club
Chairman;
3)
Greetings from U.I.C. Chairman;
4)
Appointment of the Judges Committee for the
National Lutherie Competition, consisting of
a Chairman and four members chosen by the
Assembly among those present, provided that
they are not participants in the same
competition;
5)
Reading of reports written by convention
attendees.
6)
Designation of the location and date of the XV
Guitar Convention;
7)
Miscellaneous.
Prof.
Ferrari takes the podium inviting the
Convention attendees to appoint the Chairman
and the Secretary of the Assembly. Following a
brief exchange of ideas among the
Participants, Ernesto Salio is unanimously
elected as Chairman of the «Carlo Reineri»
Guitar Club and Giocondo Passera as its
Secretary.
Ernesto Salio introduces Cesare Bianco Esq.,
Honorary Chairman of the «Carlo Reineri»
Guitar Club, who in turn proceeds to make
the following speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As
Honorary Chairman of the «Carlo Reineri»
Guitar Club of Turin, in this room, in this
building laden with history and glory that
can be traced back to our Risorgimento
movement, I am happy to give all of you my
warmest welcome, also on behalf of all Club
Members.
The tradition of hospitality of our city is
well known. I am not saying this to brag.
Therefore, I am confident that, you will
immediately feel comfortable and enjoy this
day, a day that all of us will certainly
remember.
Many of you have travelled here from all parts
of Italy, and even farther, unconcerned of the
hardship and strenuousness of a long journey.
This is a very comforting and meaningful sign,
showing your dedication to the study of our
instrument, the guitar.
However, today's Convention has a far greater
meaning. Your dedication, your love for art
and for the study of such a noble instrument
ought to be, and has already become, a real
mission. It has become a sublime task, from
which you have to chase away every selfish
thought in order to allow your mission to
spread the seeds of your experience and
skills, even among the unenlightened.
I
have mentioned the guitar – the instrument to
which we dedicate ourselves with enthusiasm
if young, and with a sense of nostalgia if up
in years, and often with the purpose of
finding, in its wonderful and hidden
harmonies, comfort from the long-lasting and
bitter disappointments of life.
I
have said, and I repeat it here: the guitar is
«the noblest instrument». Today we can state
with confidence that the guitar is so noble as
to stand on a par, as well as to withstand a
comparison with other instruments. Today, one
no longer considers guitar lovers disabled,
or almost disabled individuals, or mere
strummers, and the instrument itself as unable
to play a major role.
Today, others will tell you that through a
long and arduous journey, step by step, we
have come to the establishment of Chairs and
Advanced Courses at fully accredited
educational institutions. This has ensured
and will ensure a proper role for the guitar,
the role that it deserves. The guitar will
grant its supporters the rightful recognition
and high regard of equal among equals in the
art of music.
I
would like to mention, among the most recent
institutions, Siena’s Accademia Chigiana,
led in an unrivaled manner by the great
Segovia (and of which here, in this very hall,
in this Convention, I recognize the first
fruits of its contribution).
I
have spoken as an «old timer» who apologizes
for inadvertently having strayed away from
his topic. I came here to welcome you, and
this is the least I can tell you. At this
point, emotion is taking over and I would
like to apologize.
I
can only tell you with all my heart that the
members of this Club − a Club which has the
honor to bear the name
«Carlo Reineri»,
here present in spirit, unforgettable scholar
and teacher − are all your friends who shake
your hands and welcome you with a brotherly
embrace under the common ideal of art. A
common bond ties us. Consider yourselves as
members of a single family. This is how you
should feel among us now and, I hope, even
long after the Congress is over.
For your having shown up here in such large
numbers, please accept our heartfelt thanks. A
thank you also to the Chairman and members of
the Italian Guitar Union, who have honored us
with their presence. Before closing this
event, again on behalf of the
«Carlo Reineri»
Guitar Club, I would like
to give special thanks to Prof. Franco
Antonicelli and Commendatore Mesturino, who,
both have greatly contributed to the
successful organization of this Convention.
Now that I am done, I can only formulate to
all gathered here, my wish that the Convention
that is about to open may close with the
greatest success.
Chairman Salio reads out the lists of members
unable to attend the Convention: Ms. Padovani,
Maestro Murtula, Maestro Orsolino; Prof. Terzi,
Commendatore Andreini; Bèrben; Dr. Orlich.
Maestro Ferrari replies with heartfelt words
of gratitude to all the attendees. The
Chairman, after a reading by Maestro Ferrari
of the most salient points of the Regulations
for the Lutherie Competition, calls on the
Assembly to elect the members of the Judges
Panel. Following a discussion on election
procedures, in which a number of speakers
participate, the Assembly selects judges from
the names of several of the guitarists
present. The draw leads to the selection of:
Raffaele Suzzi from Bologna, Prof. Carlo
Palladino from Genoa Luigi Borghi, Carlo
Valenzano and Arveno Vatri from Turin.
Mr.
Bianco Esq. asks for the floor and personally
proposes replacing two of the three members
drawn from Turin. The Assembly rejects Mr.
Bianco’s proposal, affirming its full
confidence in the individuals selected.
The
Assembly invites the Commission, as
constituted, to become operational upon
appointment of its Chairman. In regard to the
designation of the new location and date for
the XV Guitar Convention, Maestro Ferrari
takes the floor suggesting the city of Modena,
on the celebration of the twentieth
anniversary of the U.C.I. The Assembly
unanimously approves the proposal.
Chairman Salio, moving to the execution of n.
5 and 7 of the Agenda, announces that he has
received a mandate from Maestra Padovani,
unable to attend the Convention, to submit for
approval a scheme of a Statute for the
establishment of an Italian Guitar Union.
Chairman Salio sees to the distribution and
reading of several copies of the proposal
among the participants. Several participants
intervene in this regard. Maestro Ferrari and
others with him, who, while welcoming the
initiative, point to the impossibility of
reaching an agreement on this occasion, due to
the required lengthy preparatory work and
analysis of the layout of such Statute. In
agreement, also, Mr. Leoni, Mr. Luzi, and
Prof. Palladino, the latter believing that
Maestra Padovani ought to be entrusted with
this process.
Esq.
Bianco provides some clarifications on the
layout of the Statute and points out the
absence of representatives from several Clubs
and Guitar Associations, well entitled to have
a saying. He then proposes to the Assembly the
approval of an agenda. He states, «The
Assembly has taken note of Chairman Salio’s
recommendation on a statute for the
establishment of an Italian Guitar Union or
Italian Guitar Association. Accordingly, the
Assembly mandates to the proposer of the
statute, Maestra Padovani, to take the
initiative of convening representatives of
Guitar Groups from various regions of Italy,
reach an agreement on the Statute discussed
today, and inform the International Guitar
Union on the matter».
The
Assembly unanimously approves. Chairman Salio
describes the prizes of the Luthier
Competition. There are four: First Prize, Gold
Medal, Second Prize Vermeil Medal, Third
Prize, Large Silver Medal, Fourth Prize,
Medium-Sized Silver Medal. All prizes come
with a diploma signed by the members of the
Commission.
Prof. Palladino begins discussing the issue
of education and of reaching, to the maximum
possible extent, a common and effective
guideline on the matter.
He
proposes frequent meetings between
individuals who dedicate themselves to this
effort; meetings where each person would
contribute his expertise and his experience
and where attending guitar scholars would make
themselves available for advice.
The
Assembly approves the initiative.
Attendees notice Prof. Aliario Diaz’s presence
at the Convention. He is responsible for the
evening concert performance in one of the
halls of the Chiablese Palace. The attendees
unanimously applaud him in a warm display of
affection. At this point, the Chairman
realizes that the agenda has been fulfilled.
The Assembly unanimously approves Prof.
Palladino’s request, asking the Carlo Reineri
Guitar Club, on behalf of the Assembly itself,
to convey a warm greeting to distinguished
Count Chigi Saracini and to Maestro Segovia.
The Club thanks them for their great,
effective, and constant contribution to the
establishment of Courses aimed at ensuring a
serious, comprehensive, and thorough study of
the instrument. The Assembly breaks up at 12.
The Chairman and the Secretary underwrite the
Assembly report.
The
Guitar Academy
On
the afternoon of last September 28, the
attendees who took part in the XIV
International Guitar Convention, gathered to
work on establishing a Guitar Academy, while
the Panel of Judges for the National Luthiers
Competition continued the work entrusted to
it by the Assembly. The Assembly and the
Guitar Academy gathered in one of the halls of
the Carignano Palace, while the Commission met
in a hall within the Chiablese Palace.
The
Academy opened with a performance by Brini Pio
and Bruno Mattioli from Turin. Pio played
Handel’s Aria, Sor’s Waltz and Forteas’
Guajiras. Mattioli performed Coste’s
Studio, Sor’s Theme and Variations,
Sor’s Waltz, Albeniz-Segovia’s
Spanish Legend, and Sor’s Minuet.
A
most lively performance followed, receiving
the greatest rounds of applause with:
Enrico Tagliavini from Parma, when he executed
Mozart-Sor’s Variations.
Dante
Vagnini from Turin, with his Malagueña
by Fortea and Ricordo D'Alhambra by
Tarrega.
Lorenza Frumento from Savona with her
Mozzani’s Feste Lariane and De
Visée’s Minuetto.
The
Academy Day ended later in the evening in
an atmosphere of great camaraderie and in the
presence of Maestro Ernesto Salio from Turin.
He entertained us with Malats’ Serenade
and Tessarech’s Dream. Finally, Amleto
Tempestini from Milan performed Sor’s
Minuet, Terzi’s Pastorale and
Sinopoli’s Serenade.
The
Outcome of the National Lutherie Competition.
The
announcement of the winners of the National
Lutherie Competition and the award ceremony
should have taken place at 6:30 PM. However,
the Commission had yet to complete its task, a
task that immediately proved to be very
difficult and complex for the unusual number
of competitors, who showed up at the last
moment. Therefore, the Commission reached the
decision to postpone the award ceremony to the
evening, at the end of the concert at the
Chiablese Palace. A decision that in the end
turned in total favor of the competition
winners.
The
postponement brought the ceremony in the
presence of a very numerous and sophisticated
audience attending the concert, therefore
gaining in importance.
The
distinguished audience proved itself most
generous in its applause rounds of the
award-winning luthiers.
One
must recognize in Italian Lutherie a
seriousness of purpose, worthy of the utmost
consideration. It has passed such test with
all colors. The luthiers submitted
twenty-three instruments for the approval of
the Commission, many of which displaying high
workmanship and value in terms of tone and
sound characteristics. We are not aware of a
greater number of competitors in previous
contests.
The
Selection Committee − consisting of Chairman
Prof. Carlo Palladino, Raffaele Suzzi, Luigi
Borghi, Carlo Valenzano, Arveno Vatri − after
a long and meticulous process selected the
following winners:
First
Prize - Gold Medal to Pietro Gallinotti from
Solero with n. 6432, motto: Tina. Second Prize
–Vermeil Medal to Pietro Gallinotti with no.
5819, Wally motto. Gallinoti kindly renounced
to the second award by granting it to the
next in rank, Enrico Piretti from Bologna with
n. 5943, motto: Daniela. Third Prize – Large
Silver Medal to Antonio Monzino from Milan
with n. 1909, motto: Classique. Fourth Prize
–Medium-sized Silver Medal to Vincenzo De
Bonis from Bisignano with n. 1952, motto:
Trieste.
The
Evening Concert According to Carlo Amerio’s
Report.
In
the hall of the Chiablese Palace reined an
atmosphere of high expectation. The
distinguished packed audience was eager and
curious to hear Venezuelan guitarist Alirio
Diaz, a student of Segovia at Siena’s
Accademia Chigiana.
Diaz is practically unknown in Italy. He has
never given a concert here. However, he has
demonstrated, even to the most reluctant, that
soon he will become a subject of discussion,
and not only in Italy. This is because his art
and his guitar convey a message that
transcends boundaries.
ALIRIO DIAZ
Born
in 1923 in Carora, Venezuela, he studied music
at the Conservatory of Caracas receiving the
First and Special Prize from Madrid’s
National Conservatory of Music. He attended
Maestro Segovia’s graduate course at the
Chigiana Academy, distinguishing himself for
his remarkable skills. He has performed a
number of very successful concerts in
Venezuela and Spain.
The program combined purely folk music with
elements of the purest classicism. On the one
hand, it included folk music such as the «Guasa»
a Venezuelan dance by Perez Diaz, the «Danza
Paraguaya» by Augustin Barrios, the «Two
Catalan Songs» by M. Llobet, and the
«Venezuelan Waltz» by Antonio Lauro. On the
other, it presented classics such as Simone
Molinaro’s XIV century «Saltarello», a Haydn’s
«Minuet» and finally Bach’s wonderful
«Fugue».
Even from just the complexity and
comprehensiveness of the program itself, one
could easily recognize Alirio Diaz’s gravity,
artistic, and musical depth. However, this is
not all, because he combines technical and
stylistic perfection to the great and
communicative soul of a true artist.
Diaz has been able to create a warm vein of
musicality between himself and the audience,
where everything dissolves in a continual
sound flow. Bach’s «Fugue» was performed with
uncanny skill and justly greeted with
endless rounds of applause.
In conclusion, one realizes that Alirio Diaz
is a great artist of the most varied and
intimate sensibility. We wish him a surely a
brilliant ascent, and we hope to hear soon
back from him.
A
kind reminder, after the concert:
Prof.
Diaz has accepted the invitation from the
Chairmanship to perform a piece on the guitar
that was awarded first prize in the National
Lutherie Competition. It is easy to imagine
Mr. Gallinotti’s satisfaction and of all those
present. With this high note of consensus and
enthusiasm, the Guitar Day of the XIV
International Convention came to an end.
La XIV Giornata
Chitarristica, in «L’Arte Chitarristica»,
VI, n. 34-35, 1952, pp. 1-4.
Program
Photos
|
