From SICA-USA Chair, Señor Hamilton Cheifetz:

Way back in January 1989, I played a recital at the Sydney Opera House which was produced by SICA International.  A few days later during the world congress I played Serenata del Gaucho by Ennio Bolognini.  An unpublished piece, I had learned it by ear from his record. (Bolognini gave the sheet music to a young female Russian cellist on the condition that she never publish or share the pieces.)  Bolognini was a real character: played flamenco guitar; was the sparring partner for the World Welterweight champion from Argentina; a licensed airplane pilot; and according to the liner notes on his record, “pedaled his racing bike as fast as Franco Giorgetti of racing fame.”  He ended his years playing in the clubs in Las Vegas, but for a time he was Principal Cellist of Chicago Symphony.  Supposedly he was late to a concert one night, and there was a cello solo in the first piece, so he went up to a box seat and played the solo from there.  The conductor was not amused.

I am relearning the piece this week.  It’s been at least 30 years since I played it, but it’s fun.  The video was posted recently by Rachman Cantrell, who always loved this piece, so I am very grateful to him.  I hope to play it once again at a future congress.