Maestro Carmelo Muscat, known as il-captain, passed away to eternal life aged 84 on 16 May. He was born and bred in Mellieħa and lived there his entire life. His death came as a great shock since Mro Muscat is next of kin as well as Honourable Music Director of our Società Filarmonica La Vittoria.
He was a self-taught musician and already had a good command of the guitar at a very young age. He was 14 when he started playing the violin, as well as the mandolin. He played with a number of bands and orchestras. Mro Muscat was also the leader of the Malta Cultural Institute Orchestra. He had several musical experiences and played with well-known musicians like world famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. His many musical compositions include marches, songs, dances, polkas, mazurkas and waltzes, as well classical and sacred music, besides a great number of musical arrangements for orchestra, chamber music, bands and also soloists. His musical compositions were played by famous orchestras and bands all over the world. He also taught music to a great number of students over the past 50 years.
It is not easy to describe Mro Muscat because he was a very reserved person. He loved music passionately and he was a born musician. Mro Muscat was a humble, honest and a gentleman with a great musical talent. He was an intellectual person. This can be seen from the interview that one finds in the book Quest for Identity – the Mellieha experience by author Paul P. Borg on 8 May 2010. The author wrote that when he started this interview with il captan he noted his “rare ability of understanding more than one asks, he absorbs more than one tells him, even the unspoken, frequently hidden peripherals of the question”. In this interview the author discussed a number of topics with Mro Muscat that included paintings and sounds, society, God, energy and time. Mro Muscat lived, loved and appreciated music throughout his entire life.
Karm, on behalf of La Vittoria Band Club, I wish to thank you for what you did for our club. La Vittoria Band accompanied you at your funeral from St Anne Street to the Parish Square of Mellieha. As president of the club together with the band, we gave you the last tribute in front of the club premises. The flag of the club was flown half-mast as a sign of respect. You certainly deserved the Messa Cantata praesente cadavere, a composition of your own.
Karm, thanks for all your contributions to the musical field, not only to our club but also to everyone in Mellieha. Your compositions are treasured in the club’s archives.
On behalf of the La Vittoria Band Club I send our condolences to your sister Michelina and your niece Vicky and her family.
Thank you, Mro Muscat. Rest in peace.
Pawlino Mifsud
President
La Vittoria Band Club
MELLIEHA