Master cello player Alexander Mascarenhas's homecoming After 43 years away from Goa, during which he never returned to his ancestral land even once, master cello player Alexander Mascarenhas will play a homecoming concert at Kala Academy on Friday, 7th January, 2011. The veteran musician spent his career in prestigious orchestras all over Germany. It is a family profession, he was trained by his father, Espirito Santo Mascarenhas of Loutolim, and in turn trained his son, Oliver, Mascarenhas who is also a professional cellist, and will accompany his father on stage at the Kala Academy.
Alexander Mascarenhas was born in Loutolim in 1945, and studied music under his father and the late Maestro Antonio Figueiredo. He attended school at Don Bosco, followed by Dhempe College, and worked for a while in Panjim (at the State Bank of India) before moving to Europe in 1967 to study the cello on a scholarship from the German government. He then devoted his career to performance and teaching music in Germany. After 43 years, his return to Goa has been emotional and unforgettable - he describes the Kala Academy as "great," and has expressed gratitude to the government of Goa for supporting the Panjim-based centre for the arts. Oliver Mascarenhas was born in Germany in 1974, and was trained by his father in music from a very young age. He is considered one of the finest cello players of his generation, and has won numerous national and international awards. At the age of just 22, he won his first audition for principal cellist at the Hannover Radiophilharmonie Orchestra, and has toured the world as a featured soloist with his 250-year-old instrument made by the legendary Italian luthier, Joseph Gaffino. Both Mascarenhases consider this trip to Goa, and this concert at the Kala Academy, to be part of their profoundly meaningful musical journey that connects Europe and Asia, Germany and Goa. They will play several pieces written for cello by Beethoven, Ticciati, Rossini, Boccherini and Offenbach. The young local musicians, Ingrid-Anne Nazareth (piano) and Ashley Rego (violin) will support. The performance will begin at 6.30 sharp at Black Box, it is free and seating is first-come, first-served. This concert is presented by Kala Academy Goa, the Indo-German Educational and Cultural Society and Guitar Guild Goa (GGG). Contact: Rui Lobo, 09921372036 lobo...@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BOOK: 'PATRIOTISM IN ACTION: Goans in Indias Defence Services' Copies now available at: GOA: Literati (2277740), Other India (2263306), Broadway (6647038), Mandovi (2427904), Noel DSilva & Associates (9823120454 / 9096781714), Confidant / Golden Heart Emp (2732450), David & Co (2730326), Vardaan (9527463684) SERV / RETD Def Offrs in Goa: O/o Sainik Co-op Hse Bldg Sty, Def Col, Porvorim (2417288) MUMBAI: David & Co (22019010) PUNE: Manneys (26131683), Popular (25678327) BENGALURU: Narayan (22865800) DELHI: Ritana (24617278) ONLINE (worldwide delivery): http://www.ritanabooks.com/booksdistri.htm, http://goa1556.goa-india.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------