PAULA LINDO - Newsday
Musician and composer Gillian Nathaniel-Bartulino - Photo courtesy St Joseph Convent Port of Spain Past Pupils' Association
Musician and composer Gillian Nathaniel-Balintulo is remembered as someone who brought the gift of joy to those around her throughout her life. Music was an integral part of that life, which she shared with her students in Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa, where she died on September 11, 2021.
She was born at the Port of Spain General Hospital on December 18, 1948, the youngest child of Naomi Phyllis Duprey and Raleigh Trevor Nathaniel, and grew up on Norfolk Street, Belmont, with her parents and siblings Gordon, June, Ainsley and Amery.
The household was a musical one, and Nathaniel-Balintulo began taking music lessons from her mother at five.
Family friend Sonya Moze said, “As close neighbours in Belmont I was a more than frequent visitor to their incredibly musical household, Gordon on bass, June’s exceptionally beautiful soprano voice, Ainsley, strumming guitar and the altogether gifted Amery (esquires). Who in Norfolk Street did not know of Naomi’s exceptional brood of talent. Music emanated from that house like a constant melodic waterfall. It was this that not only inspired me to become a performing artist but to recognise through their example, the discipline and commitment needed to hone one’s gifts. Thank you DiTi and to all those Nathaniels. Life is indeed short but memories are forever.”
Replies
Mrs. Gillian Nathaniel-Balintulo's arrangement and conducting of All Stars' Tune of Choice, Ca9ricio Italian" at the1988 9an Is Beautiful Classical Com9etition, is one of the best 9ieces 9erformed on The National Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.
Excuse my 9's, the "urin" key is not working.
Love 9eace and 9an."