Many years ago and before moving to France, Stefano spent time in England. His objective was to get a foothold in the local music scene. During this time he also attended a course on composition and arrangement.
After his return from the UK he composed some pieces which I believe were meant to be used as a film score. I do not recall the exact story behind it but I do have preserved a few clips that he had sent me at the time. Here they are. Enjoy!
In 1978 my father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 58. My family had moved from Hannover/Germany to Lugano in Switzerland some years earlier, however, I had remained in Germany to complete military service and studies. My father’s premature passing cut a huge gap into my life as I had to return to Switzerland to support my mother and my younger siblings.
Lugano is beautiful and a vibrant tourist magnet of southern Switzerland but I saw it with different eyes then. I couldn’t speak Italian, the official language, and our house in a relatively remote tiny mountain village made it difficult to forge social bonds or make friends. My blond hair and generally northern European looks didn’t help much either as the locals generally kept to themselves and didn’t like to mingle with tourists.
As I was an aspiring guitar player at the time my sister suggested joining a local band to get settled. I auditioned successfully and became one of the founding members of a young rock group consisting initially of Giorgio on bass and Stefano on the drums.
Stefano’s mother was German so he could speak a bit of the language. He became my Italian language teacher, my mentor in all questions of Ticino lifestyle, my point of reference and my best friend. Since we both didn’t have a “real” job, we spent our days dreaming of becoming famous musicians, building our rehearsal studio and hanging out. It was a marvelous moment of my life.
Even though the group was quite successful, life went on, we grew up, and eventually the band split and we all went our separate ways. I decided to look for opportunities in Asia, Giorgio and Paola, our singer, opened their own business in Northern Italy and Stefano went to southern France to start an agritourism enterprise. Nonetheless, we remained good friends and stayed in touch for a long time.
Today I received news that Stefano has passed away due to complications related to a lung tumor. It saddens me deeply that my dear buddy of better days has vanished so prematurely. Rest In Peace my friend! You will not be forgotten!
claque⊙net 