On Saturday, we witnessed an exceptional event. In the midst of the political campaign’s finale, intoxicated by irregularities, insults, and disrespect, something almost therapeutic occurred for those of us who attended the charity concert organized by the Argentine Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta at the Coliseo Theater to benefit the works it supports, under the direction of Horacio Lavandera.

It’s unnecessary to mention Lavandera’s virtuosity, as he performed in the first half of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Seven Variations on ‘God Save the King,’ Five Variations on ‘Rule Britannia,’ and 33 Variations on a Diabelli Waltz, which earned sustained applause from the audience and no small number of “bravos.” But what truly stood out, in addition to the virtuosity of our compatriot, which is taken for granted, were the explanations before each performance, with a didactic yet spiritual meaning.

OF LOVE

The second part of the concert first featured three works by Gustav Mahler: “Ich ging mit Lust (Lieder und Gesänge),” “Ging heut Morgen übers Feld” (from the cycle “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen”), and “Das himmliche Leben” (from the fourth movement of the Fifth Symphony). In each, Alberto Roemmers read a poem of his own about love, recalling that he wrote his first poem on love when he was fourteen years old. This performance earned applause from the audience. Lavandera followed with the Funeral March (from the first movement of the Fifth Symphony) and the “Adiagietto” from the same composition, with relevant commentary and interaction with the audience.

After a brief interval, Horacio Lavandera presented his Suite on The Beatles, which included I. Allegretto. ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ (by George Harrison); II. Andante, ‘Imagine’ (by John Lennon); III. Allegro, ‘Eleanor Rigby’ (by Paul McCartney); IV. Moderado, ‘Yesterday’ (by Paul McCartney); V. Presto, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ (by McCartney). The performance continued with his ‘Soda Stereo Sonata’; I. Moderado, ‘Light Music’; II. Andante, ‘Tea for Three’; III. Allegro, ‘In the City of Fury’, which somehow brought a smile when it was realized that it was the one we were supposed to leave for. The encore was a composition by Elvis Presley and the rarely heard piano version of the Argentine National Anthem, preserved in the National Historical Museum, by Blas Parera; which earned sustained applause from the audience.

Needless to say, the final applause from the large audience, led by the ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta, María Podestá, and the Association’s authorities, was overwhelming. For the art of Horacio Lavandera, for the poetry of Alberto Roemmers; of love, as he expressed it in those verses. Of love fulfilling the first commandment, and also of love for the homeland with that ending of the National Anthem.

As we left, the cool night reminded us that the Argentine Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in our country next year, carries out a charitable act every Thursday, feeding the hungry, following the divine precept of “love your neighbor as yourself.”

ByRoberto L.Elissalde

LA PRENSA