The Art of Flamenco Guitar Paris Pliakas - The Art of Flamenco Guitar- joomag | Page 38

ONE CENTURY OF FLAMENCO GUITAR Ramón Montoya (1880-1949) Born in Madrid, Ramón Montoya Salazar was appearing by the age of twenty in the café cantantes of his days.He is considered to be one of the best accompanists of such legendary singers as Pastora Pavón “Niña de los Peines” and Don Antonio Chacón.Although Ramón did not make a solo career he was the first guitarist to establish flamenco guitar as a solo instrument. He made the first solo recordings in the history of flamenco which were originally published on gramophone records in 1918. His revolutionary technique was adapted by many guitarists who followed him. Carlos Montoya (1903-1993) Born in Madrid, Carlos García Montoya was nephew of Ramón Montoya but his uncle never taught him. His debut as a concert guitarist was preceded by years of accompanying such distinguished artists as “La Argentina”,”Vicente Escudero” and “La Argentinita”.He was the first flamenco guitarist in the world to establish a solo career without dancers and singers.Giving the first flamenco guitar recital ever held in the world (New York 1948) he started a “second” career by settling permanently in USA.His global tours throughout the world and his international recordings gave flamenco the maximum popularity that the art ever gained by a single artist. “Niño Ricardo” (1904-1972) Manuel Serrapi Sanchez “Niño Ricardo” was born in Seville where he started playing guitar very young as an accompanist of flamenco groups.One of his first discographical works was to accompany the legendary singer Pastora Pavón “Niña de Los Peines” and her brother Tomás Pavón.He left us also many recordings including his solo technique in interpretations which are considered to be a real anthology of Flamenco.During his carrerhe was respected as the most recorded accompanist of his days while after his death his great offer to the concert flamenco guitarwas also broadly aknowledged. Estéban Delgádo (1910-1989) Estéban Delgádo “Estéban de Sanlúcar” was born in Sanlúcar de Berrameda in 1910.He belongs to the generation of café cantante guitarists since he started working there by the age of thirteen.He developed an admirable technique as a soloist and he is recognised as one of the most inspired guitar composers.At the end of 40’s he travelled to America.He was so well received as an artist that he settled permanently there.For many years he lived in Venezuela and later he moved to Argentina where he lived until his death. 38