Maneco Galeano
Encyclopedia
Maneco Galeano was born in Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay
; on May 13, 1945.Son of W. Antonio Galeano and Ana Mieres, his real name is Felix, after his grandfather on his father side, and Roberto , after his grandfather, on his mother side.
At the beginning of 1948, his family decides to move to Asuncion
. He begins his studies at the Colegio San Jose, an educational institution to which he was to be linked during all his life. He was a lively and nonconformist teenager, and also studied at the Liceo Militar Acosta Ñu as well as in the Colegio Carlos Antonio Lopez. He finished his high school in the Colegio Lasalle, in Buenos Aires
, with honors.
In 1962, with his father in the diplomatic service, the family moves to the Argentine capital. There he joined with other paraguayans fellow musician
s and forms a band where he sings and plays the guitar
.
When he returns to his country, he begins the university but he doesn't finish his studies. He begins to compose. In the middle of the 1960s he shows some of his first works, very elemental but with purity.
, Fernando Cazenave, invites him to be a part of the crew at the Diario ABC Color
newspaper when it is opened, in 1967. He then begins the career as a social communicator, a condition he would carry with pride until his death, as a collaborator of La Tribuna and El Diario Hoy, where he was the chief of the sports section as well as the secretary of editorial staff.
Another great passion of his, besides his obvious love for music, was the love for teaching. Since 1974 until 1978 he taught music at his old school, San Jose.
On April 19, 1969, he married Maria Cristina Barrail Pecci. He had four daughters: Sandra Maria, Viviana Guadalupe,Ana Karina and Maria Alegria.
At the end of 1970, when all the young composers and players find their meeting point at “La Guarida del Matrero”, managed by Santi Medina, he participated on a television show with Christmas themes, where he presented “Dos trocitos de Madera”, historically his first “serious“ piece.
In 1971 “Soy de la Chacarita” is written. His first appearance is at a beneficial festival on behalf of the people who suffered the great flood of the Rio Paraguay
, who left many families by the river homeless.
He founded the “ Joven Alianza” with other friends such as Carlos Noguera, Mito Sequera, Juan Manuel Marcos and Jose Antonio Galeano. This was an intent of creative and artist cooperative which was later to be destroyed by the political police of the dictatorship of then President Alfredo Stroessner
. By then, the creative activity didn’t stop. Between 1972 and 1976 his best pieces come to life. From this period are “Despertar”, “San si Juan no que sí”, “Para un rostro labrador”, “Pinasco”, “José Trombón”, “Para decir”, “Don José de todas partes”, among the more significant ones. He also writes the lyrics for “Ceferino Zarza, compañero” ( music of Jorge Garbett) and “Cantando” (music by Jorge Krauch).With Carlos Noguera he composes the only piece that was written by the most important names of the Nueva Cancion Paraguaya, “Al caído en la víspera”, a homage
to the Chile
an composer and singer Victor Jara
, who was brutally murdered in the military takeover ( military coup) of 1973 in his country. The piece later will be popular with the name of “Victor Libre“.
We must mention specially his participation in the composition of part of the music of Lopez, a work of Juan Manuel Marcos mixing texts, songs and poetry , about the War of the Triple Alliance
against Paraguay
, It was presented by the Grupo Experimental de Teatro “Anguekoi “with great success in 1973.The songs composed by Maneco are “¡Independencia o Muerte! ”, “Canto a Felipe Varela” ( both on poems by Marcos) and “Resurgirás, Paraguay”, on the ode of Martin Mc Mahon dedicated to our country.
Also in 1973, he joins the Quinteto Vocal de la Facultad de Derecho UNA, to participate at the university festival of the song.The group, that later will be the Grupo Sembrador, wins the first award to the composition playing “San Juan si Juan no que sí”.
In 1975, on one of the very rare occasions Augusto Roa Bastos
visited our country, when he was still allowed to do so, Sembrador offers a recital homage to the great writer, presenting for the first time almost sixteen songs of the Nuevo Cancionero Paraguayo.
We can mention among them, “Donde la guarania crece”, composed by Maneco on a beautiful texto of Roa.
From ‘75 al ‘76, he composes for his dear friend Jorge Garbett -whom he had met in 1974-some lyrics of deep meaning: “Ella es así”, “Se le quiere” y “Lluvia”.
Between 1976 and 1977 he studies music with the masters Carlos Dos Santos and Luis Cañete. He composes “Cigarra, tonta cigarra”, on the text of José-Luis Appleyard, “Nda reiri oje’e”, on a poem of Rudi Torga and “Ka’akupe piari”,a strong polka whose lyrics are the only one totally written in Guarani language
by Maneco.
After his experience with Taller Musical Sembrador, he stops writing songs and he dedicates passionately to his work as a journalist. From that time of “musical silence”-like he always used to call it- are the “ Cuentos “published in the great “Dominical Hoy”. He becomes skeptical and, he considers then that the songs are useless to help change a state of things that unfortunately were lasting too many decades.
of the Musical Composition. He makes his last piece, ”Poncho de sesenta listas”, which won the second prize in that contest.
He left behind a fruitful musical production-numerous and large- as well as important journalistic writings and an unforgettable memory in his former students and his many friends. Maneco Galeano died in Asuncion, on a Tuesday, December 9, 1980, at 3:45 pm, from lung cancer. He was 35 years old.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
; on May 13, 1945.Son of W. Antonio Galeano and Ana Mieres, his real name is Felix, after his grandfather on his father side, and Roberto , after his grandfather, on his mother side.
Childhood and youth
He was two years when the cruel civil war of `47 started. He always remember his father, was on his way to prison for defending his principles and ideals, on the harbor of Puerto Pinasco, waving his handkerchief, blond and happy. In this time he was given his first guitar, a toy one, and he enjoyed singing songs he imagined himself with it.At the beginning of 1948, his family decides to move to Asuncion
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
. He begins his studies at the Colegio San Jose, an educational institution to which he was to be linked during all his life. He was a lively and nonconformist teenager, and also studied at the Liceo Militar Acosta Ñu as well as in the Colegio Carlos Antonio Lopez. He finished his high school in the Colegio Lasalle, in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, with honors.
In 1962, with his father in the diplomatic service, the family moves to the Argentine capital. There he joined with other paraguayans fellow musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s and forms a band where he sings and plays the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
.
When he returns to his country, he begins the university but he doesn't finish his studies. He begins to compose. In the middle of the 1960s he shows some of his first works, very elemental but with purity.
First steps
His friend and teacher at journalismJournalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, Fernando Cazenave, invites him to be a part of the crew at the Diario ABC Color
Diario ABC Color
Diario ABC Color is a major Paraguayan newspaper with offices in the city of Asunción.The editorial that publishes the newspaper was founded August 8, 1967. It is one of the most read daily newspapers in Paraguay. The director of the editorial is Aldo Zuccolillo, the founder of the newspaper...
newspaper when it is opened, in 1967. He then begins the career as a social communicator, a condition he would carry with pride until his death, as a collaborator of La Tribuna and El Diario Hoy, where he was the chief of the sports section as well as the secretary of editorial staff.
Another great passion of his, besides his obvious love for music, was the love for teaching. Since 1974 until 1978 he taught music at his old school, San Jose.
On April 19, 1969, he married Maria Cristina Barrail Pecci. He had four daughters: Sandra Maria, Viviana Guadalupe,Ana Karina and Maria Alegria.
Works
At the end of the `60 he composes songs to accompany carnival groups (comparsas) at the Centenario Club. These “comparsas” were also directed by him. From these years, specifically from 1969 to 1970 are his first satirical songs. “Los problemas que acarrea un televisor en la casa de un hombre como yo”, “La chuchi” y “Tomás te canasta” find an immediate eco in the public. With them he begins to shape his own profile, the unique Maneco Galeano of the Paraguayan popular compositions.At the end of 1970, when all the young composers and players find their meeting point at “La Guarida del Matrero”, managed by Santi Medina, he participated on a television show with Christmas themes, where he presented “Dos trocitos de Madera”, historically his first “serious“ piece.
In 1971 “Soy de la Chacarita” is written. His first appearance is at a beneficial festival on behalf of the people who suffered the great flood of the Rio Paraguay
Paraguay River
The Paraguay River is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina...
, who left many families by the river homeless.
He founded the “ Joven Alianza” with other friends such as Carlos Noguera, Mito Sequera, Juan Manuel Marcos and Jose Antonio Galeano. This was an intent of creative and artist cooperative which was later to be destroyed by the political police of the dictatorship of then President Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whose name is also spelled Strössner or Strößner , was a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989...
. By then, the creative activity didn’t stop. Between 1972 and 1976 his best pieces come to life. From this period are “Despertar”, “San si Juan no que sí”, “Para un rostro labrador”, “Pinasco”, “José Trombón”, “Para decir”, “Don José de todas partes”, among the more significant ones. He also writes the lyrics for “Ceferino Zarza, compañero” ( music of Jorge Garbett) and “Cantando” (music by Jorge Krauch).With Carlos Noguera he composes the only piece that was written by the most important names of the Nueva Cancion Paraguaya, “Al caído en la víspera”, a homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to the Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an composer and singer Victor Jara
Víctor Jara
Víctor Lidio Jara Martínez was a Chilean teacher, theatre director, poet, singer-songwriter, political activist and member of the Communist Party of Chile...
, who was brutally murdered in the military takeover ( military coup) of 1973 in his country. The piece later will be popular with the name of “Victor Libre“.
We must mention specially his participation in the composition of part of the music of Lopez, a work of Juan Manuel Marcos mixing texts, songs and poetry , about the War of the Triple Alliance
War of the Triple Alliance
The Paraguayan War , also known as War of the Triple Alliance , was a military conflict in South America fought from 1864 to 1870 between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay...
against Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, It was presented by the Grupo Experimental de Teatro “Anguekoi “with great success in 1973.The songs composed by Maneco are “¡Independencia o Muerte! ”, “Canto a Felipe Varela” ( both on poems by Marcos) and “Resurgirás, Paraguay”, on the ode of Martin Mc Mahon dedicated to our country.
Also in 1973, he joins the Quinteto Vocal de la Facultad de Derecho UNA, to participate at the university festival of the song.The group, that later will be the Grupo Sembrador, wins the first award to the composition playing “San Juan si Juan no que sí”.
In 1975, on one of the very rare occasions Augusto Roa Bastos
Augusto Roa Bastos
Augusto Roa Bastos, was a noted Paraguayan novelist and short story writer, and one of the most important Latin American writers of the 20th century. As a teenager he fought in the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia, and he later worked as a journalist, screenwriter and professor...
visited our country, when he was still allowed to do so, Sembrador offers a recital homage to the great writer, presenting for the first time almost sixteen songs of the Nuevo Cancionero Paraguayo.
We can mention among them, “Donde la guarania crece”, composed by Maneco on a beautiful texto of Roa.
From ‘75 al ‘76, he composes for his dear friend Jorge Garbett -whom he had met in 1974-some lyrics of deep meaning: “Ella es así”, “Se le quiere” y “Lluvia”.
Between 1976 and 1977 he studies music with the masters Carlos Dos Santos and Luis Cañete. He composes “Cigarra, tonta cigarra”, on the text of José-Luis Appleyard, “Nda reiri oje’e”, on a poem of Rudi Torga and “Ka’akupe piari”,a strong polka whose lyrics are the only one totally written in Guarani language
Guaraní language
Guaraní, specifically the primary variety known as Paraguayan Guaraní , is an indigenous language of South America that belongs to the Tupí–Guaraní subfamily of the Tupian languages. It is one of the official languages of Paraguay , where it is spoken by the majority of the population, and half of...
by Maneco.
After his experience with Taller Musical Sembrador, he stops writing songs and he dedicates passionately to his work as a journalist. From that time of “musical silence”-like he always used to call it- are the “ Cuentos “published in the great “Dominical Hoy”. He becomes skeptical and, he considers then that the songs are useless to help change a state of things that unfortunately were lasting too many decades.
Last years
Only by 1980, when the sickness which was to kill him was already declared, he goes back to creation when he finds out about the Primer Festival YpacaraiYpacaraí Festival
The Ypacaraí Festival has been held in the city of Ypacaraí, Paraguay, since 1971, between August and September. It is a folklore festival organized with great emphasis on all kinds of cultural manifestations....
of the Musical Composition. He makes his last piece, ”Poncho de sesenta listas”, which won the second prize in that contest.
He left behind a fruitful musical production-numerous and large- as well as important journalistic writings and an unforgettable memory in his former students and his many friends. Maneco Galeano died in Asuncion, on a Tuesday, December 9, 1980, at 3:45 pm, from lung cancer. He was 35 years old.