MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO E 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'

MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO , BETTER KNOWN TO MUSCIANS AND FRIENDS AS THEODORE “TED” GARGIULO, WAS OUR NEIGHBOR. ALONG WITH HIS WIFE GLORIA, HE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO US ON LAS BRISAS DRIVE AT PASADERA (OFF HWY 68 IN MONTEREY). TED WAS A RENOWNED COMPOSER AND MUSCIAN. OFTEN WE WOULD HEAR HIM PLAY HIS PIANO AS HE WAS COMPOSING NEW SONGS IN HIS LIVING ROOM. MY WIFE, MILDRED AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY THIS WONDERFUL MAN. TED PASSED AWAY IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.


Ted and I would often pass the time of day discussing world events, philosophy and religion. He would even discuss with me, a complete novice, how he composed his music. During his last year, he would say to me, “I get up in the morning and my mind is filled with music. I can not wait to get to my piano to write it down. This has never happened to me before. It is simply amazing.”

One of the things that used to bother Ted a great deal was all the violence and inhumanity that existed in the World. Ted was a deeply religious man, however; he was also an intellectual. He was not afraid to question things that really were not quite clear. He often posed the following question to me. “Ivan, how can there be a God with all this violence, famine and inhumanity in world? A just and benevolent God would never allow it to exist.”

I would always answer, “Ted, we will find the answer to those questions when we cross over to the hereafter.” Ted would then retort, “How can you be sure that there is a hereafter.”

Of course Ted believed in God. But he was searching for answers to those questions we often ask ourselves in order to gain some reassurance of our own religious beliefs.

As I was nearing the completion of “La Nostra Costa”, I often thought of these conversations with Ted. My mind began to create the scenario in the book where the overburdened “Young Rancere” questions the very existence of a Deity. In ‘A Rancere’s Lament’, at the beginning of the book, he challenges his God by posing the following question: “O God, if you are up there, why don’t you wave your hand, and make things better for me?” In return, he gets a rather superficial answer – because he (the Rancere) lives “su per la costa –not heaven?”

Having finished “A Rancere’s Lament”, I realized that I needed an ending to the book that would be in sync with the “Rancere’s Lament”. I kept thinking of my discussions with Ted. I then started to put down my thoughts (and hopes) of what the hereafter might be like. Thus; in “Il Ultimo Ponte”, we find the Rancere; now very old, standing before a wooden bridge. The bridge, of course, symbolizes the very “crossing-over” that I had discussed with Ted. Once across the bridge, the Rancere, realizes that his life was really worth while.

I remember thinking, “Boy, won’t Ted be surprised when he reads this?”

Soon after publishing “La Nostra Costa” I presented Ted and Gloria with a copy of the book. I remember telling Ted, “Make sure that you read ‘Il Ultimo Ponte’ at the end. I wrote it with you in mind.” It took him a while, but on one of my visits he informed me that he had just read it. The following is his comments as best I can remember them..

“Ivan it is beautiful. The whole episode is simply beautiful. You created something wonderful. You should be proud of what you wrote.” Then smiling at me with his wonderful smile and looking me straight in the eye, he added, “I hope you are right.”

Adio Maestro “Ted”. I am looking forward to hearing you once again, create beautiful music across “Il Ultimo Ponte.” Ivano




LNC: THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL WAS SENT BY FRANCA GARGIULO, TED’S DAUGHTER.


----- Original Message -----
From: Franca Gargiulo
To: 'ivan comelli'
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 6:46 PM
Subject: FW: Dad Gargiulo's August 15 recording session for Tehama


Dear Friends:

I thought you all might enjoy the short music video of my Father’s last conducting session and composition that was written for Tehama, Clint Eastwood’s new golf and home development in Monterey. This ad footage will appear on their website. Terrence (LNC: Ted’s son) is singing and Daddy appears at the very end. This recording session (you really don’t see the full orchestra) took place on August 15.

As I look at all these tools so easily at our disposal, I have to chuckle over the fact that when my father first started his musical career, all they had was the old Victor phonograph!

Let us know what you think and please don’t be shy about giving it a rating!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhjDdo2OfJE

Franca


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Tehama Monterra Music Video04:45
Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra - more information on can be found on www.makingstories.net (more) (less)
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music musicvideo beautiful song Monterey ClintEastwood Gargiulo beach ocean orchestra vocals
Added: 1 day ago in Category: MusicFrom: WendliteViews: 2