The "Fr. Terenzio Zardini Musical Association" is a non-profit, apolitical, and non-sectarian organization (as per its statutes) founded on October 10, 2007, to revive the cultural initiative that Maestro Zardini started in the 1970s and which concluded in the early 1990s.
The Association's objectives are to promote musical culture in general, particularly the repertoire of Maestro Zardini and other composers from Verona and the Veneto region, and to disseminate genuine music, not just liturgical music, involving local musical entities (Conservatory, Province of Verona, Municipality of Verona, Fondazione Arena, choirs, musicians, etc.), and, where possible, international representatives.
The President and founder of the "Fr. Terenzio Zardini Musical Association" is Maestro Marco Morelato
Recognitions to Terenzio Zardini Over the years, the association has achieved several milestones in memory of Father Terenzio Zardini:
The Municipality of Verona was sensitized, and on February 21, 2004, they dedicated a green area with a commemorative plaque in Borgo Venezia.
In 2006, the Carrara Publishing House published a booklet collecting some of his works dedicated to sacred polyphony.
Maestro Zardini's name appears on the list of illustrious names at the Monumental Cemetery of Verona.
Classroom No. 24 at the "Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco" State Conservatory of Music in Verona is dedicated to him.
In 2010, the "October Musical Terenzio Zardini" was revived, establishing the "Terenzio Zardini Award" scholarship (reserved for young musicians) within the series.
In 2013, Gabrielli Editore published "The Fragrance of Music" Terenzio Gaetano Zardini - musician and composer - biographical notes by Fr. Domenico - Olivo Damini, with multiple contributions.
In 2015, on the fifteenth anniversary of his passing, a precious and previously unpublished CD was created. This recording is titled: "Terenzio Zardini – Works for Organ – Messa in simplicitate – Minuetto per Orchestra." This valuable document was produced by organist Pier Damiano Peretti, the Chamber Choir of the Verona Conservatory directed by Mario Lanaro, and the Verona Youth Orchestra conducted by Giorgio Croci, published by the prestigious Tactus Record Label and distributed worldwide.
The community of Montecchia di Crosara (his birthplace) dedicated an avenue and the new civic hall to him.
In 2018, a catalog of his works was published.
Padre TERENZIO (GAETANO) ZARDINI
Italian musician, educator, and composer, belonging to the Order of Friars MinorBorn in Montecchia di Crosara (VR) on June 8, 1923, to Ernesto and Marta Montini. His baptismal name was Gaetano. At the age of eleven, he entered the Franciscan Seminary of Chiampo.
On July 26, 1939, he donned the Franciscan habit on the island of S. Francesco del Deserto (VE). After completing classical high school, he began theological studies and made his solemn religious profession on July 14, 1945, at the convent of S. Michele in Venice.
On April 13, 1947, he was ordained a priest at the convent of S. Francesco in Vittorio Veneto by Monsignor Girolamo Bortignon. Gifted with a remarkable musical sensitivity, he studied harmony, counterpoint, and fugue at the Musical High School of Verona (1947-51), composition, and choral conducting at the B. Marcello Conservatory in Venice (1951-54) under Maestro Gabriele Bianchi, graduating in composition in July 1954 with the highest distinction: ten with honors, with Maestro F. Malipiero presiding over the Commission.
His brilliant graduation earned him a stay at the Salzburg Festival in 1954, granted by the Ministry of Public Education. For a year (1954-1955), he also attended the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome.
On June 30, 1964, he graduated in composition and choral conducting from the B. Marcello Conservatory in Venice.
In 1953, he discovered the work "Tetide in Sciro" by Domenico Scarlatti in the library of the Convent of S. Francesco della Vigna, expertly transcribing and realizing it. The work was performed for the first time at the Angelicum in Milan. Since 1957, he resided at the Convent of S. Bernardino in Verona as an organist and choir director and was a respected teacher for many years at the local Conservatory.
His musical output is remarkable in quantity (over two thousand titles), extraordinary knowledge of the compositional art, and fertile inspiration.
Some examples include:
Instrumental Music: "Piccola sinfonia"; "Tre tempi per orchestra"; "Haec Dies" for choir and strings; "Cantico delle Creature" for soloists, male choir in two voices, flute, viola, harp, cello, and organ; "Quartetto per Archi"; "Piccola Fantasia" for trumpet and organ; "Intrada" for winds, timpani, and organ; "Gavotta" and "Musetta" for small orchestra; "Fantasia in dialogo" for trumpets, trombones, and organ; "Vento a Tindari" for trumpets, trombones, horns, bass tubaConcert music for organ collected in "Liber Organi" (Carrara)
Concert music for organ collected in "Liber Organi" (Carrara).
Choral music of popular folklore: over one hundred thirty titles, including original compositions and harmonic arrangements in various formations.
Choral music for competitions: "Vae Ariel," "Ecce Behemoth," "L’aigle Royal," "Vento a Tindari," and much more.
Choral music for the Liturgy: countless compositions published over forty years, primarily by Carrara and LDC publishers, including about fifteen "Masses," various collections of motets in both Latin and Italian; hymns, antiphons, chorales.
He curated and founded the significant "Ottobre Organistico" series, which for over twenty years featured the most prestigious names in organ concert performance from Italy and abroad at the Church of S. Bernardino in Verona. This series later expanded to include the best sacred music choirs in the country. These projects were always sponsored and funded by the Cassa di Risparmio di Verona, Vicenza, and Belluno.
Known for his extraordinary amiability, he was beloved by all who knew him. Free from envy and competition, he left an indelible mark on contemporary Italian liturgical music, particularly in his home church of Verona, which warmly esteemed and appreciated him.
His name as a musician remains closely associated with the liturgical reform promoted by the Second Vatican Council. His contribution was decisive in terms of the quality and quantity of his music. He dedicated himself with conviction to creating a new repertoire that would help the faithful encounter God and cultivate a taste for beauty and simplicity. Through music and song, he fulfilled his vocation as a friar and priest.
From 1968 to 1994, he taught Choral Music and Choral Conducting at the E.F. Dall’Abaco State Conservatory of Music.
Brother Terenzio, through the harmony and poetry of his melodies, which continue to keep his presence alive among us, demonstrated a jovial, simple life, rich in friendship and generosity, true to the spirit of St. Francis.
He passed away on February 23, 2000, due to a worsening form of lymphatic leukemia that had previously shown no symptoms. His funeral was held at the Church of S. Bernardino on February 25, 2000.
He is buried in the Monumental Cemetery of Verona, in the tomb of the Friars Minor.
MARCO MORELATO
President of the Association Fr. Terenzio ZardiniAfter obtaining Advanced Diplomas in Piano and in Choral Music and Choir Conducting with top marks, his love and respect for the voice led him to begin a passionate journey of deepening his knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal apparatus, culminating in an Advanced Training Master’s program recognized by the Ministry of Public Education, directed by Masters Adone Zecchi, Bruno Zagni, and Giorgio Kirschner.
Following this specialization, he pursued a Master’s in Orchestra Conducting under Maestro Yuri Ahronovitch, former Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. He has held positions as Stage Director at the Verona Opera Arena and served as a Jury Member in various International Competitions. He curated the exhibition "Delitiae Italiane - Mozart’s Travels in Italy" at Palazzo Taidelli in Sanguinetto (VR) and the Artistic Direction of the Gala Concert in honor of "Giuseppe Lugo" in Sona (VR) from 1997 to 2011.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the International Chamber Music Competition "GAETANO ZINETTI" in Sanguinetto (VR) and served as its Artistic Director from 1994 to 2009. With this Orchestra, he won two First Prizes in two International Competitions; he also founded and conceived the Gaetano Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition in Sanguinetto (VR). He is the Principal Conductor of the Gaetano Zinetti Chamber Orchestra, with which he regularly performs concerts in important national and international festivals and events.
In 2008, he was awarded the "GRAND INTERNATIONAL PRIZE OF VENICE – INSTITUTIONAL LEON D’ORO PLAQUE OF VENICE" by the Venice Order of the Golden Lion Committee at the Venice Film Palace
From 2009 to 2016, he served as Organizational Manager for the Lina Aimaro Bertasi Foundation – soprano of Sirmione (BS).
Since 2010, he has been appointed President and Artistic Director of the OTTOBRE MUSICALE FR. TERENZIO ZARDINI in San Bernardino (Verona). He also founded and directed the Summer Festival of Music and Theatre in Brenzone (VR), "REDISCOVERING OUR TERRITORY TO BETTER LOVE IT" from 2005 to 2015.
In parallel with his concert and teaching activities, he collaborates as a Cultural Promoter with the Veneto Region, the Province of Verona, the City of Verona, and the "F.E. Dall’Abaco" State Conservatory of Music in Verona.
Since 2020, he has served as the Artistic Director of the GAETANO ZINETTI MUSIC PRIZE – an International Competition for Opera Singers and a National Competition for Future Performers in Sanguinetto (VR).
IN MEMORY
TERENZIO ZARDINI – man and musicianTerenzio Gaetano Zardini, a Franciscan friar, was a beloved composer admired for his rich soul and musical genius. Father Terenzio was a composer who, beyond solid technique, possessed enviable ease of invention and inspiration: essentially, he was a man born for music. His vast production includes instrumental music (organ, orchestra, wind instruments) and vocal music, both secular and "liturgical." He believed that in every inspired piece of music, one could find a trace of divine beauty. Whoever said that "beauty will save the world" was referring to this very beauty, "divine" in nature, which is "symphony," "concert," "gift."
From 1968 to 1994, he guided 115 students to graduate from the E.F. Dall’Abaco Conservatory.
I remember him as a generous artist, kind and always smiling, an excellent musician and educator, with an affable and friendly spirit, always ready with a joke for every occasion. He had a strong musical sensitivity and a remarkable compositional talent, as evidenced by the many awards he received in various national and international competitions.
When he entered the classroom, especially with new students, he would often say: "Dear students, you must know that all the 'beautiful music' has already been written; for the 'bad music,' that’s our job. So, what’s left for you to do?"... which was always followed by his hearty laughter!! Together with the harmony and poetry of his melodies, which continue to keep his presence alive among us, Maestro Terenzio left us with the testimony of a warm, simple life, rich in friendship and generosity, as a true son of St. Francis.
Marco Morelato - his last pupil