An inspirational story from Venezuela where the much revered Jose Abreu, founder of a renowned music programme that changed the lives of thousands of poor children, has died. He started El Sistema (the system) in 1975 in a garage with just 11 musicians which eventually grew to 300 choirs and orchestras, inspiring similar systems in other countries. One of the programme’s founding principles was to combat poverty through music, teaching classical works in the poorest areas of the country. Children are taught from the age of three to play music during free afternoon classes, with a focus on orchestral practice. “They are boys that we are taking away from drugs and violence,” he said.
Born 7 May 1939 in Valera, he came from a musical family and started his own classical musical education young. His chart is staggeringly strong. His Sun and innovative Uranus in Taurus were in a creative Earth Grand Trine Trine to Neptune in Virgo trine Mars in Capricorn, formed into a Kite by Mars in a never-give-up opposition to Pluto. Making influential and controlling Pluto the driving planet. The Mars opposition Pluto was also square a self-reliant, hard-edged Saturn Mercury in Aries, giving him organising and executive ability. His can-be-compassionate Jupiter opposition Neptune was in a Mystic Rectangle to the Mars opposition Pluto.
A complex man with killer determination and the courage to mix in violent areas. Not the easiest to get on with, mind you. But you can’t produce results like that by being sugary sweet.
His creative 5th and 7th Harmonics were well aspected; and as well his ‘obsessive dream’ 11H; his breakthrough 13H; and leaving a legacy for history 17H.
Pic: © Leo Ramirez, AFP
7 May must be a great day for musicians – he has the same birthday as Brahms and Tchaikovsky.