The exhibitionThe exhibition is divided into four different parts and shows the most significant part of the legacy that Martín Melitón, as Sarasate was originally called, left to the
Pamplona City Council a few years before his death in Biarritz in 1908. The objects are grouped into four themed areas: family and friends, personal objects, public recognition (gifts, medals and honours) and musical possessions. There is no shortage of gifts from the hands of kings and emperors, musical scores, works and programmes, Russian enamelled cigarette cases, gold watches with watch chains, as well as Europe's best collection of walking sticks, which Sarasate favoured in all shapes and forms.
The
chronological information is structured under the following headings - "Niño Prodigio" (Child Protegée), "Los años difíciles" (The Difficult Years), "La conquista de Alemania" (The Conquest of Germany) and "Consolidación del mito" (The Consolidation of the Myth"). These four sections bring together graphic documents, photographs of the artist, his family and friends and certificates, as well as biographical and anecdotal information. One piece in particular that must also be highlighted is the reproduction of a violin awarded to the child prodigy at the age of 13, when he won the first violin prize from the
Paris Conservatoire. The original was burnt while in the possession of one of Sarasate's friends, to whom he had lent the instrument. Another interesting element on show is the
charicature of Sarasate published in Vanity Fair magazine. The illustration shows Sarasate's elegant figure, whose amour propre led him to learn all the pieces by heart so as not to have to wear glasses during his performances.
Up until now, the municipal museum provided a home for most of these elements, but now the visitor will also be able to enjoy other new pieces specially collected for this exhibition, such as the postcards Sarasate wrote to his friend Alberto Huarte.
In fact, Pablo Sarasate's presence in the museum is palpable thanks to the
"audiovisual corners". These two places allow the visitor to listen to Sarasate's works, performed by prestigious musicians and admirers such as Malikian, and watch films and documentaries.
Pablo Sarasate, the author of "El Zapateado" and "Aires Bohemios", musical works that area still in demand in the best concert halls in the world, has been the 'Favourite Son' of the city of Pamplona since 1900. His name has been lent to the oldest orchestra in Spain, a central boulevard in the city, the Higher Music Conservatoire in Pamplona, an international violin competition held in the Navarrese capital and a beautiful mausoleum where his remains rest in the cemetery of the city where he was born.
Very close to the museum, still in the Old Quarter, at numbers 19 and 21 of Calle San Nicolás, you can see a plaque that commemorates the exact pace where this renowned Navarrese musician was born.
Constable's palaceThis 16th century noble house is another addition to the list of assets of
cultural interest in Navarre. It is an example of Pamplona's urban architecture, built by the 4th Count of Lerín and Constable of Navarre,
Luis de Beaumont. Throughout its existence the property has served the city as the bishop's palace and even as a city hall. Now in the 21st century, after extensive restoration work, the palace has opened its doors to the public as a civic centre.
The restoration work carried out has given the property its
original appearance once more, by recovering the original corner balcony and the second-floor arcade. In addition to these elements, the most important parts of the complex are the Renaissance-style patio, the medieval Gothic-style hall with its original arches and walls and the palace's main floor, consisting of a large space with three big rooms and remains of the original paintwork.
Aviso
Sala de exposición
