Monday 26th April, 2021
It all started from a connection with one of the most prominent Australian conductors that led Ross Gengos to become a Canberra music icon, attracting the admiration of ordinary folks and the likes of David Attenborough.
During high school, Mr Gengos was taught by Alistair Mackerras, the brother of conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, in Sydney where he was introduced to classical music and instantly became hooked.
"Alistair booked tickets for a few of the boys in class to operas and so overnight, I went from listening to the top 40 to suddenly saving money to get classical records," Mr Gengos said.
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Ross Gengos ran Abels Music in Canberra until its closure in 2011. He has now been recognised for his contribution to the musical life of Canberra. Picture: Keenan Carroll |
"I have since been an avid collector."
Later in life, Mr Gengos moved to Canberra in 1972 to lecture in literature at the College of Advanced Education, now the University of Canberra, where he met his wife, Robin.
The pair in 1980 bought the renowned classical and jazz shop Abels Music in Manuka and ran it until its closure in 2011.
"I always felt that lecturing involved imparting my love of and passion for the subject. In many ways, Robin and I believed Abels served a similar function for music - my other and greatest passion," Mr Gengos said.
For all his effort in spreading his passion, including serving on various arts-related boards and committees, Mr Gengos was honoured on April 14 as one of six recipients of the 2020 ACT Honour Walk, which was put on hold due to the pandemic.
The awards go to individuals or groups that have made significant and sustained contributions to the ACT.
"It's very gratifying to be awarded this honour but especially to have the contribution that Abels Music made to Canberra," Mr Gengos said.
"I feel it's implicitly a recognition of the importance of music in enriching our lives and our community, as indeed do all the arts."
The 77-year-old said he still received feedback from people about how much the shop helped them.
"Even David Attenborough once told us he never visited Canberra without visiting us," he said.
As for highlights, Mr Gengos cited his membership on the inaugural ACT Cultural Council in 1992 and being able to help local musicians record original pieces.
"It's important that we encourage and help emerging musicians and artists of all kinds," he said.
"In recent times, I've been dismayed to see that on the federal level, there's been many financial cutbacks for major arts institutions.
"Sometimes the arts take a real back seat in policy, it's very unfortunate."
Looking back on Abels, Mr Gengos said he missed running the shop.
"I miss my customers. The shop was a source of considerable pride and satisfaction because I got to share my joy with others," he said.
"I must pay tribute to all our dedicated staff who played a large part in Abels' success.
"Finally, I thank the music lovers and musicians of Canberra. What we did would not have been possible without them."
Other 2020 ACT Honour Walk recipients are Klaus Moje, Ethel McGuire, Lyall Gillespie, Tracey Whetnall and the ACT Homosexual Law Reform Society.
Originally published in The Canberra Times, April 26, 2021
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