|
1969 Rodolfo Camacho Viera (1887-1973) Buenos Aires
Spruce & Brazilian 650 mm. This is guitar # 405. $12,000.
Rodolfo Camacho, according to Domingo Prat's Diccionario de Guitarristas published in 1934, was the most respected luthier outside Spain. In 1924 Rodolfo won awards for his lutherie talents in Rome & Barcelona, and again in Buenos Aires in 1928.
In 1925 the distinguished scientist Martin Gil, who was a friend of, not only Agustin Barrios, but Andres Segovia as well, is quoted as writing to Camacho: "It pleases me to tell you, that I have tried thoroughly, a guitar built by you, and received a true surprise in the beauty of sound and the guitar's construction."
Andres Segovia in 1928 said: "In the instrument, that you have had the kindness to bring me, I see not only the care of one who knows the appearance estheticly, but also, the attentive observation of the spirit, tonally of the guitar. In this manner, he has acquired qualities that place him at the head of the Spanish guitar builders of the most mentionable renown."
Agustin Barrios in the same epoch said: "Rodolfo has attained a place at the level of the most distinguished guitar makers, in these times."
This guitar was made for Maria Angelica Funes Diana (1916-1998). She was an Argentine classical guitarist, teacher & Odeon recording artist. She began to play guitar in 1922. She received her diploma of Profesora Elemental at the age of 13 in 1929, studying with Pedro Iparraguirre, and has over a half page attributed to her in Prat's Diccionario de Guitarristas . She began to study with Domingo Prat in 1930. In 1934 she began to perform often on Buenos Aires radio. She was one of the top 10 concert artists in the unfolding period of 1920-1960 in Argentina.
She was one of over a dozen child prodigies, who became the mainstay of high culture in the "world center of classical guitar activity" in the mid 20th century Buenos Aires. The most notable other child prodigies being: Maria Luisa Anido, Lalyta Almiron,
César Bo, Blanca Prat, Consuello Mallo Lopez, Nellie Escaray.
In Rico Stover's "Six Silver Moonbeams"- the Life and Times of Agustin Barrios he states that Agustin Barrios owned a Camacho guitar.
Andres Segovia owned more than one. These were purchased while Andres had his 1912 Manuel Ramirez / Santos Hernandez and Hermann Hauser I guitars, at his side, to compare them to the works of Rodolfo Camacho. Andres Segovia is not quoted anywhere else, in the Domingo Prat "Diccionario de Guitarristas", exclaiming the merit of any other guitarmaker. In 1934 Andres Segovia wrote a letter to Rodolfo Camacho that became a part of the luthier's label ever since. It states, translated:
" You have constructed the best instrument
of those that have passed through my hands"
Andres Segovia
XXXIV (1934)
" Construida la guitarra para me la hecho
el señor Camacho Viera el mejor instrumento
de cuanto han pasado por mis manos"
Andres Segovia
XXXIV (1934)
This is the first Rodolfo Camacho to be offered in 5 years. The last one was a 1936 which went for $10,500 in the hands of another dealer of fine instruments.
|
|
