tijeretamiel -> Conde vs Conde (Feb. 11 2015 11:10:50)
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I came across this on Mariano Jnr's website http://www.marianoconde.com/blog/statement-to-el-mundo-newspaper STATEMENT TO “EL MUNDO” NEWSPAPER In reply to the article Magia en una guitarra (Magic in a guitar) in your supplement Fuera de serie from Sunday 25th January 2015, I outline below in detail my disagreement on numerous points and their respective clarifications, seeing that it is the brother of the interviewee and a person directly mentioned by him writing to you. This is the second time that I am writing to you. Both times have been because of the same reason: my brother, Felipe Conde. The last time I contacted you was due to the guitar being chosen as the greatest Spanish invention. I wrote to you in verse with the poem Los cuatro condes (The Four Counts), which I have attached to this letter as a reminder. You apologised to me by telephone and arranged to pass by my workshop at 1, Amnistía Street in Madrid, something that you failed to do. This time I am writing to you in precise prose as I appreciate that poetry is more difficult to understand. Incorrect statements. Firstly: Felipe Conde states: “After the death of their father in 1989, the brothers Felipe and Mariano Conde took charge of the business.” Before our father died, I was already in charge of the company. On 9th January 1985, there was a change of owner of the guitar shop located at 2, Felipe V Street, with ownership passing from my uncle, Faustino Conde, to me. The next day (10th January 1985), I proceeded to apply for the corresponding Business Licence. The document in question is attached. From this it can be understood that the interviewee, Felipe Conde, had nothing to do with the company. Secondly: Felipe Conde states: “In 2010, he broke away from his brother Mariano and the guitar shop took his name.” In 2010, the company dissolved after: a) he had previously reported me for unfair competition, with the hearing resulting in my favour; and b) trying to sack my son, the only apprentice at the workshop for two years, as a way of preventing my son having any advantage over his children, who had chosen to go to university. Attached is the letter of dismissal hand delivered by Felipe Conde to my son, Mariano Rodrigo Conde, on 28th November 2008. Also attached is the Civil Court Ruling No. 6 of 4th June 2009 dismissing Felipe Conde’s attempts to adopt preventative measures against me. Thirdly: Felipe Conde states in reference to Paco de Lucía: “On numerous occasions I have repaired the guitar he used in concert…” Completely untrue and insulting as it was me who repaired it in Felipe V Street. On numerous occasions, the guitar in question was personally given to me to be repaired by Paco de Lucía’s brother, Ramón Sánchez, and their nephew, José María Bandera. Fourthly: Felipe Conde states: “Also forming part of this tiny sanctuary are the guitars that Felipe Conde personally made for Aldi Meola, Lenny Kravitz, David Byrne and Rafael Riqueni.” These guitars were manufactured in the workshop on 2, Felipe V Street. My testimony and that of the company’s two apprentices speak about the authorship of these guitars, which does not, in anyway, belong to the interviewee. Furthermore, as a result of the shop closing, the two apprentices in question – for there were only two at the shop located at 2, Felipe V Street – joined my company at 1, Amnistía Street, where they continue to this day. Half-truths (which, as we know, are the worst kind of lie): Felipe Conde states: “that he started in the trade at 14 years of age.” He entered into the family workshop on Gravina Street at 14 and left soon after. Corrections directed to you: Firstly: You use two terms to describe my brother: “modest” and “quiet”. Let me ask you, can a person be called modest and quiet when they are devoted to contacting the media, whether television channels or press, with the sole aim of using them as a means for spreading commercial propaganda that lacks any truth? Just look at his television and press appearances after Leonard Cohen was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award, the death of Paco de Lucía, or the Centenary, which was the reason for your article. In headlines and in statements, in the case of Paco de Lucía, it was described how my brother, Felipe Conde, was the luthier responsible for making his instruments. In your interview, he now says that these guitars were made by my father and my uncle. At the time, I had to send explanatory notes to different media outlets refuting his claims, notes that I have attached. Secondly: “The shop façade has no windows or signs.” Two observations: a) there are not any because it is a semi-basement; b) I do have windows and signs at my shop/workshop at 1, Amnistía Street. Windows which mean that anyone who wishes to see how guitars are made on a daily basis can do so without having to ring a doorbell. Signs that perfectly state my name and origin. This origin (the old Conde Brothers – Esteso’s Nephews shop) was covered up by me, in the beginning, with some black vinyl. One night it disappeared and had to be replaced shortly afterwards with nailed metal plaques. The old nails leave a mark on the signs to this day. The reason for my luthier origins being covered was due to one of the dissolution clauses preventing either party from making reference to it. The reason for the disappearance, according to a statement that I made to the police on 1st March 2010, was the desire for the corresponding compensation fixed in the clause. A complaint made to the police on 11th February 2010 is attached, in which, when asked if I suspect anyone of removing the vinyl, I respond: my brother, Felipe Conde. Conclusion: I do not feel that it is ethical or moral that a person, by taking advantage of the media’s good faith and lack of fact verification, can place himself as the heir to a centenary tradition that can only be applied to him in name and not due to any professional merit. Yours faithfully, Mariano Félix Conde Cavia ••••• It just seems really sad.
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