Appreciation of Maltese music

During my recent visit to Malta, purposely planned to coincide with the celebration of the feast of St George in Gozo, I had the good fortune to acquire a copy of the latest CD sponsored by the APS Bank, featuring Paolino Vassallo's Grande Messa composed in 1889. This is a truly first class work that reflects the great musical talent that this Maltese composer undoubtedly possessed. To my delight, the CD, which was well recorded, was accompanied by a most informative, attractively presented and meticulously researched booklet.

Later, upon my return home, while browsing the internet edition of The Times of July 24, I came across the article Arts Festival Aims To Reflect Country's Artistic Maturity by Fiona Galea Debono. Being very appreciative of your country's music - which is one of the principal reasons why I make regular visits to Malta and Gozo - I would sincerely hope (but, regrettably, rather doubt) that the "artistic maturity" referred to in the article actually extends to an adequate appreciation of the country's own musical achievements, which are the creation of some very talented composers throughout the ages.

Accordingly, I would much appreciate details of those concerts in the Arts Festival that will feature works by Maltese composers, since I would not want to miss them. I am sure that the inclusion of such compositions would very much appeal to other music-lovers from abroad who are always on the look-out for "new" music.

Being a foreigner, it is not my intention to interfere in matters that might be considered internal. However, my regular visits to Malta do give me the right to point out that, in its musical heritage, the country has got a highly valuable resource which, it would appear, is not always adequately appreciated, perhaps due to ignorance or to what might be termed "artistic colonialism"; the Arts Festival provides a wonderful opportunity to rectify this.

I hasten to exclude from this criticism those responsible for the excellent liturgical music performed annually during the festa of St. George in Gozo, and for the superb set of CDs sponsored by the APS Bank, comprising not only Vassallo's Grande Messa but also those featuring sacred music by Maltese composers, both past and present.