Ernesto Acher, Pioneering Musician and Comedian of Les Luthiers, Dies at 86
A multifaceted artist renowned for his elegant fusion of music and humor, Ernesto Acher passed away on Friday, December 12, at the age of 86. Born in Buenos Aires on October 9, 1939, Acher left an indelible mark on the Argentine and Chilean cultural landscapes through his work with the iconic group Les Luthiers, as well as his ventures in orchestral direction and beyond.
From Architecture to Artistic Innovation
Acher’s path was notably diverse. He initially pursued architecture, graduating in 1965, but by 1971, his focus had fully shifted to music, aligning with the burgeoning project of Les Luthiers. He collaborated with fellow members Jorge Maronna, Marcos Mundstock, Daniel Rabinovich, Gerardo Masana, Carlos López Puccio, and Carlos Núñez Cortés for fifteen years, contributing compositions, unique instruments, and memorable performances.
His contributions to Les Luthiers were pivotal, bringing to life beloved pieces like “La gallinita dice Eureka.” Acher possessed a remarkable ability to embody diverse characters, seamlessly transitioning between roles such as the young boy in “The Little Hen” and the heroic figure in the “Cantata del Adelantado Don Rodrigo Díaz de Carreras.”
Beyond Les Luthiers: Orchestral Direction and a Thirst for Learning
Following his departure from Les Luthiers in 1986, Acher dedicated himself to orchestral direction and orchestration. His interpretations of George Gershwin’s work, performed with pianists Baby López Furst and Jorge Navarro, were particularly well-received, with the “Elastic Band” – a group capable of adapting to a wide range of popular repertoire – gaining significant acclaim between 1988 and 1993.
Acher also explored “serious music,” premiering his work Molloy at the Teatro Colón in 1980. In 2002, he relocated to Chile, where he continued his artistic pursuits and served as a university professor. He returned to Argentina in 2016 and, in 2017, hosted the radio program The corners of Acher on Radio Nacional Clásica for several seasons, and frequently performed at venues like Classical and Modern.
A Life Embracing Constant Evolution
Reflecting on his multifaceted career nearly a decade ago, Acher described his life not as a series of distinct paths, but as a single journey through diverse regions. “I don’t think it was just one,” he stated. “Or, rather, it was just one, but it went through many regions.” He enjoyed a six-year stint as an architect after university, acknowledging it “wasn’t my thing,” and found immense fulfillment in music, composing, arranging, and teaching.
He embraced continuous learning, even venturing into teaching literature later in life, expressing gratitude for the experience and the insights gained from his students. “I like to feel the wind on my face when I move,” he shared, encapsulating his philosophy of constant evolution.
Acher considered himself a quiet man, and when asked about the secret to creativity, he likened it to a muscle, requiring consistent training and development. He offered a simple yet profound approach to his work: “I sit down in the audience and put on stage what I think I would like to see.”
As a guiding principle for future generations, he cautioned against complacency, urging them to “not give in, don’t let yourself be bought cheaply with colored mirrors; be wary of fanaticism, a very dangerous trap; ask a lot and dig deep, because the questions are more important than the answers.” He echoed the wisdom of Machado, stating, “Walker, there is no path, the path is made by walking.”
Ernesto Acher, the Argentine musician and comedian, leaves behind a legacy of innovation, humor, and a relentless pursuit of artistic exploration.
