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The Ramirez Story - MANUEL RAMIREZ (1864-1916) |
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Written by nukelele
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Friday, 30 June 2006 |
 Manuel Ramirez de Galarreta y Planell was born in Alhama of Aragon in 1864. His father's profession had required the family to be relocated from the usual residence in Madrid. Manuel learned the guitar-making trade from his elder brother, Jose Ramirez I. In 1891, at the age of 27, he decided to establish himself on his own. Originally, he planned to move to Paris, with the blessings of his brother Jose who has been helping him in his project.
However, for an unknown reason, Manuel changed his plans, and
he finally established himself at no 24 Cava Baja Street, Madrid. This
resulted in an enmity between the two brothers that was never to clear
up. After a time in Cava Baja Street, Manuel moved his shop to nș5
Santa Ana Square, and later on to no 10 Arlaban Street, where he lived
the rest of his life.
In only a short period of time he developed a great reputation and gained enormous prestige, by not only making guitars, but also violins, and he was named luthier of the Royal Conservatory of Madrid. In addition, he continued the school begun by his brother, and the guitar-makers he trained were recognized as amongst the best. These pupils were Santos Hernandez, Domingo Esteso and Modesto Borreguero.
Because of the success achieved by the tablao guitar designed by his brother Jose, it was natural that Manuel continued building it. Little by little, however, he perfected it until he got an instrument that is still the "model" for this type of guitar to this day.
Around 1912, a young man presented himself in the workshop in Arlaban street with the purpose of renting a guitar for a concert he was to give. The clothes and general appearance of Andres Segovia were outlandish. Because of the strangeness of the request as well as the visitor's appearance, Manuel did not take him seriously, and only very reluctantly handed him a guitar to try out. However, after listening to the young man's playing, Manuel was so amazed that he decided to give him the guitar. That prodigious guitarist who played in taverns in exchange for a coffee was Andres Segovia. The guitar that Manuel gave him is now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of New York.
(source: Jose Ramirez Workshop)
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 July 2006 )
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