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The Ramirez family has been making classical and flamenco guitars in Madrid for over 125 years. We visited their workshops in Madrid, spoke to Amalia Ramirez (pictured at work below), and heard a professional musician play one of these world-famous instruments in their shop, near Madrid’s Puerta del Sol.
Listen to the podcast, check out all the photos on Flickr (try the slideshow!), and read on below for more information on everything mentioned in the podcast.
More information:
Wikipedia has great information on the Classical guitar, Andres Segovia, and Paco de Lucia: see these two at work below…
Andres de Segovia:
What Paco de Lucia does on Stage:
For more information on Ramirez guitars you can visit their website.
Once again we would like to thank Mike for suggesting the Ramirez podcast. If there are any aspects of Spanish culture that you would like us to cover in future podcasts, please do comment below or write in and let us know. We really appreciate any suggestions.
Tim
17 Jan 08 at 10:12 am
There’s a great DVD available on amazon, with 2 TV documentaries about Andrés Segovia. He plays a fair bit & explains some of his past. The guy was amazing, and with those big fingers! See http://www.amazon.com/Andres-Segovia-Portrait-Christopher-Nupen/dp/B000AOGMHQ
ValenciaSon
17 Jan 08 at 2:24 pm
I think I saw Ramirez interviewed on TVE’s España Directo. As much as I love technology, it is also great to hear that classic craftsmanship is alive and thriving.
Clare
17 Jan 08 at 3:12 pm
I asked my Spanish brother-in-law (who is classical guitarist) about 10 years ago to tell me his favourite Spanish guitar artist. He then went out and bought me Maestro, Maestro (sus mejores interpretactiones) by Andres Segovia. Still very much enjoying it today. Available on Amazon. See
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maestro-Andres-Segovia/dp/B0006ZI13M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1200578580&sr=1-1
Charles C Stirk Jr
18 Jan 08 at 5:27 am
Great Podcast …
I simply love you audio Ben …
Tim
18 Jan 08 at 10:17 am
@Clare, thanks for the recommendation.
Also great to see the little dog just sitting in the workshop.
luke
18 Jan 08 at 5:06 pm
Beautiful music, a good antidote to a stressful life.
Maria S.
18 Jan 08 at 8:03 pm
What Paco de Lucia does on stage is really awesome.
Marie-Claude D
7 Feb 08 at 12:54 am
Great podcast Ben… just found you and Marina out, and have been listening to your podcasts ‘en rafale’… Great!
Tim: I hadn’t noticed the little dog but it does make the mood even better!
frank elvira
25 Feb 08 at 4:02 am
great!! great!! podcast!! keep up the great work!!
SeePortugal.Org
23 Mar 08 at 1:24 am
Great show. I bought a Ramirez at the shop in Madrid. I live in Lisbon. It is strange because it is easier to get a Ramirez guitar in the States then here in Portugal. Great family, and everyone at the shop is wonderful. Jose Ramirez is really one of the nicest instruments, and a great cultural treasure in Spain.
GUILLERMO Di RAMIREZ
12 Sep 08 at 6:52 am
HOLA!! HOLA!!
ESTOY INTERESADO EN COMOPRAR UNAS 200-350 GUITARRAS PARA DISTRIBUIR Y REPRESENTAR SU FABRICA EN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
GRACIAS,
858-345-0491