Emilio Traverso (Genova, January 23, 1951 - April 23, 2007), for almost thirty years professor at the Conservatory "N. Paganini" and organist of the Basilica dell'Immacolata of his native city, was one of the most eminent figures of the Genovese musical scene, one of the most active in the field of early music (particularly organ music), not only for its intense teaching acticity and concerts, held at the European level, but also for his ongoing commitment as researcher and organizer.
He achieved the Diploma in Organ and Composition (1978) and a degree in Industrial Chemistry (1976), then he dedicated completely to music, specializing in organ at major European Music Academies under the guidance of renowned teachers such as L.F. Tagliavini, M. Torrent, H. Vogel, P. Kee, M. Schneider, J. Langlais, X. Darasse. He also studied the harpsichord with G. Gentili Verona, K. Gilbert and S. Ross.
His students remember him for the seriousness and the extent of its preparation and the personal taste for a repertoire that was not limited to well known composers and songs.
This research has always been supported by his wife Luisella Ginanni, also a teacher and organist in the same Conservatory, with whom he formed a stable Duo known in Italy and abroad for concerts for four hands and two organs, and their proposal of original compositions rarely performed, ancient and modern, to which they have devoted much of their artistic activity.
Author of musicological studies, he was president, from the foundation, the musical association "Amici dell'Organo" with which he was involved in the enhancement of the organ heritage of Liguria.
He was organizer of organ manifestations of international level, as the Festival Organistico Europeo, the only event in the area, part of the official calendar of events implemented in the framework of "Genova 04" European Capital of Culture.
He was responsible for the construction of the new organ of the Conservatory "N. Paganini" and countless restorations of historical instruments, mostly belonging to the workshop organ Ligurian Roccatagliata.
In 2006 he recorded for Tactus, a CD dedicated to the masterpieces of the Italian '600 and '700, performed on eighteenth-century organ "Alari" in the Abbey of S. Matteo, where was honorary organist.
In the presence of numerous friends and enthusiasts, Sunday 18 June 2017 was inaugurated in Sestri Ponente "Piazzetta Emilio Traverso" (map) to celebrate and make immortal the important cultural and social commitment of Maestro Traverso before his premature death occurred 10 years ago.
Here follow the audio recording of the speech from his friend Gianni Gaggero and some pictures of the event:
1982 | Celle Ligure | Chiesa di San Michele | Organo Ciurlo 1813 / Mordeglia 1912 |
1982 | Genova | Basilica dell'Immacolata (after the first part of the restoration) | Organo Trice 1890 / Balbiani 1928 |
1983 | Savona | Santuario della Misericordia | Organo Malvestio 1928 |
1983 | Bellinzona (CH) | Parrocchia di San Biagio | Organo Mascioni 1983 |
1986 | Genova | Basilica dell'Immacolata (after restoration) | Organo Trice 1890 / Balbiani 1928 |
1992 | Genova | Chiesa di Sant'Anna | Organo Agati 1852 |
1994 | Genova Sestri Ponente | Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta | Organo Balbiani Vegezzi Bossi |
1994 | Santa Margherita Ligure (GE) | Basilica Santuario Santa Maria della Rosa | Organo Marin 1964 |
1995 | Genova | Oratorio S.S.Pietro e Paolo | Organo Filippo Piccaluga 1770 |
1995 | Savona | Cattedrale | Organo Mascioni 1935 |
1995 | Genova Montoggio | Santuario delle Tre Fontane | Organo Paoli |
1995 | Recco (GE) | Chiesa di San Martino di Polanesi | Organo Tomaso I Roccatagliata Sec. XVII |
1996 | Rapallo (GE) | Oratorio dei Bianchi | OrganoTomaso II Roccatagliata 1773 |
1996 | Bogliasco(GE) | Oratorio di Santa Chiara | Organo Lorenzo Roccatagliata 1722 |
1996 | Borzonasca (GE) | Parrocchia San Bartolomeo Apostolo | Organo Serassi 1821 |
1996 | Pietralavezzara (GE) | Parrocchia di Ascensione | Organo Locatelli 1895 |
1997 | Sori (GE) | Oratorio di sant'Erasmo | Organo di ignoto sec XVIII |
1998 | Savona | Chiesa di San Giuseppe | Organo Chichi 1998 |
2000 | Busca (CN) | Chiesa dell'Annunziata | Organo Fratelli Vittino 1865 |
2001 | Moneglia (GE) | Chiesa di San Saturnino | Organo Paoli 1861 |
2001 | Masone (GE) | Parrocchia di Cristo Re | Organo Marin |
2002 | Cicagna (GE) | Chiesa parrocchiale di N.S. dei Miracoli | Tommaso II Roccatagliata 1788 |
2003 | Moneglia (GE) | Parrocchia Santa Croce | Organo Paoli 1861 |
2004 | Genova | Abazia di San Matteo | Organo Alari 1773 |
2005 | Mezzanego (GE) | Chiesa Parrocchiale | Organo Filippo Piccaluga 1777 |