(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)November 12, 2009

MAHWAH – Discussing Juan Mandelbaum’s the film “Our Disappeared” on November 12 at Ramapo College of New Jersey was Gustavo Moretto, the composer of its music. The screening was sponsored by the Gross Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Ramapo College’s Latin American Studies Convening Group, and the Communication Arts Major, with the support of the Office of Student Affairs Platinum Series.

Through the use of rare archival footage the film tells the story of the thousands who were kidnapped, tortured and then were “disappeared” by the Argentine military dictatorship during the 1976-1983 “dirty war.” Director Mandelbaum shares dramatic stories told by parents, siblings, friends and children of the “disappeared”, grieves the tragic losses and demonstrates the generational damage inflicted when brutal regimes attack the fabric of a country.

Pianist and composer Gustavo Moretto, who lives in Leonia, New Jersey, is considered one of the most relevant Argentine musicians of the past 30 years. A native of Buenos Aires, he began his music career as a trumpet player, composer and pianist for Alma y Vida, one of that country’s most famous bands. He later left the band to form Alas (together with Alex Zuker and Carlos Riganti) where he was the composer and keyboard player. Gustavo toured extensively through Argentina and Chile and recorded six LP’s (for RCA and EMI).

A young musician at the time, Moretto left Argentina in 1979 for the United States to pursue formal training in composition. He holds a bachelor’s from the New England Conservatory and a doctorate in Music Composition from Columbia University. He is currently a professor in charge of the instrumental program at LaGuardia Community College in New York City.

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