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Musician, composer and researcher “Josetxu” Larzabal, who in his youth was part of the Lagun Onak Choral Association, is once again playing songs in Basque, now as part of the vocal quintet Canto Abierto in Posadas, in Misiones.  Larzabal presented songs in Basque at the local Euskal Jatorri Basque Club and the idea of creating a club choir was also batted around. 

Posadas, Argentina.   The Euskal Etxea in Posadas has had an intense year at the local level as well as at the national level.  Its members have participated in “Buenos Aires Celebrates the Basque Country,” at the FEVA Txiki gathering, at the FEVA Basque club meeting in Pergamino as well as at Semana Vasca in San Nicolas to mention a few.  They also represented the community in several activities in Posadas as well as accompanied Basques from other cities in the province.

Now, and with the end of year celebration coming, as well as the Euskera Day celebrations, Euskal Jatorri already has plans for 2018.  The club’s secretary, Maria Silvia Soloaga, told EuskalKultura.com that “maestro and composer, Jose Luis Larzabal, had contacted the club some time ago because his quintet had prepared some songs in Basque and wanted to show them to us.  This is why we organized a small recital, and invited club members to attend.  After the concert we shared sandwiches and wine.  Now we are contemplating the possibility of creating a choir at the club.  Larzabal is a very good musician and so we have to see with him how to balance this with the club’s possibilities,” Soloaga said.

 [Quinteto Vocal ‘Canto Abierto’ singing ‘Goiko mendian,’ go ahead and taste the Basque plays they sing]

Maestro Jose Luis Larzabal has a long career and is renowned in the world of music for “being the first person from Misiones to create a Symphony,” among other things.  Larzabal composed “Enea” in 2013. He can also boast an interesting career in Basque music besides. During his youth he studied with Luis de Mallea, founder of the Lagun Onak Choir in Buenos Aires and was also part of that choir.  Now, with the recognition of his predilection for Basque music, Larzabal has infected his colleagues in the “Canto Abierto” quintet with his passion and along with them presented his versions of “Goiko Mendian” and “Boga Boga,” at a recital organized by members of the local Basque club.  In a conversation with EuskalKultura.com, Larzabal recognizes his interest to create a choir in Posadas.  “I know that it won’t be easy creating something in such a small town, but we are in touch with the club and hope to make an announcement to see who may be interested,” he said.

Anyone interested in being a part of the project is invited to contact the club: Euskal Jatorri. Even if a professional choir isn’t the goal, anyone with singing and musical skills is invited to join in.