The year 2020 bid us farewell with sad news, the death of Iñaki Goñi on December 31. I have needed these three days to be able to settle the emotions and write these lines. There are many memories, many images, difficult to summarize...
Iñaki was a great musician, choir director and singer. And a person who had a great influence on my professional and personal career. He was largely to blame for me directing my studies to music, piano and conducting. When I was only 5-6 years old, I used to listen to the rehearsals at the rehearsal room on 31 de Agosto Street in San Sebastian. Iñaki conducted the choir and my father sang in it. At the end of the rehearsals, I would stay at the piano playing the melodies they had just rehearsed. Iñaki told my father that it would be a good idea for me to start studying music.
The first concert I gave as a piano accompanist was in a concert with Iñaki as conductor. I was very young and he showed great confidence in me. As a pianist I also had the opportunity to accompany Iñaki as a tenor soloist.
Iñaki and my father shared many years of experiences, concerts, trips... with the Santa Cecilia choir and with the Otxote Itxaropena.
Iñaki's wisdom and good work have continuity in Zaria Koru Eskola. We are fortunate that Agurtzane (his daughter) and Helene and Lide (his granddaughters), sing with us.
The light of Iñaki's voice stays alive.
Mila esker Iñaki.
Imanol Elizasu Lasa.
