Arnold Déraspe
Louis Leger
Arnold Déraspe is a fiddler and fisherman from the Madgalen Islands. He has passed down his techniques and tunes as a "Madelinot" fiddler to his son Bertrand Déraspe who continues the tradition. Some recordings of his playing can be found through the archives of Acadian music at the University of Moncton NB
P.S. Arnold Déraspe passed away Saturday, May 8th, 2021. He was 88 years old. The following was posted by his son, Patrice Déraspe on Facebook:
Un géant vient de déposer son archet.
Arnold Déraspe nous a quitté à l’âge de 88 ans, ce samedi 8 mai 2021. À l’heure de son départ, ses fils lui ont rendu hommage en musique, comme ils l’avaient fait pour leur mère Gladys.
Arnold laisse derrière lui, un legs musical inestimable. Porteur de tradition et passeur de savoirs, il a transmis bien plus que l’amour de la musique traditionnelle. Il fut un exemple de rigueur et de bonheur à retrouver ces mélodies du passé et à les faire revivre sous ses doigts.
Son immense talent, son humour et son amour pour la vie, pour sa famille, pour sa communauté, auront touché bien des cœurs et fait danser des milliers de souliers.
Géant parmi les plus anciens héritiers Madelinots, pêcheur de tradition pendant 50 ans, sa présence nous manquera, mais son coup d’archet lui survivra, dans le Violon des Îles.
À tous ceux qui ont croisé sa route en parole ou en musique, la famille Déraspe vous remercie du fond du cœur pour votre amitié.
Ses fils, Bertrand, Mario, Patrice ainsi que ses belles-filles, ses petits-enfants et ses arrière-petits-enfants vous remercient à l’avance pour vos marques d’affection. Les détails des célébrations viendront sous peu.
A giant just dropped off his bow.
Arnold Déraspe left us at the age of 88, this Saturday, May 8, 2021. At the time of his departure, his sons paid tribute to him in music, as they did for their mother Gladys.
Arnold leaves behind, a priceless musical legacy. Tradition carrier and knowledge passer, he passed on much more than the love of traditional music. He was an example of rigor and happiness to find these melodies from the past and make them relive under his fingers.
His immense talent, humor and love for life, for his family, for his community, will have touched many hearts and made thousands of shoes dance.
Giant among the oldest heirs Madelinots, a fisherman of tradition for 50 years, we will miss his presence, but his bow strike will survive him, in the Violin of the Islands.
To all those who crossed their path in word or music, the Déraspe family thank you from the bottom of their hearts for your friendship.
His sons, Bertrand, Mario, Patrice as well as his daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren thank you in advance for your affection marks. Details of the celebrations will come shortly.