Fernando Solar

Lutherie with a cause

• Fernando is a member of the Spanish Guild of Luthiers and Archers – GLAE
• He studied violin to intermediate level at Arturo Soria Conservatory in Madrid
• He is part in the Music of Recycling project

“I was born and raised among wood shavings,” declares Fernando Solar, third generation luthier and violin player. Luthiers seldom play the instrument they work on, but Fernando learned to play the violin at the early age of six and projected to be a musician. His family tradition had a stronger influence on him and he took up instrument making. At 18, he chose to “construct instruments for talented musicians rather than be the talented musician” himself. By 2000, he was working as luthier for the family business which opened its first atelier in the district of Malasaña, Madrid in 1946. Since then, the three generations have safeguarded their know-how as expert luthiers and archers, sought by professional musicians, collectors and investors. Fernando is involved in several social projects that bring music and recycled materials together to support change.

Interview

©Patricia Blanco

©Melanie Guil

What are your thoughts on generation relay?

I am making previsions, acquiring and drying the best woods for decades to come, betting this craft will still subsist. However, I cannot know for sure that my daughters will want to join the family luthier business in the future.

Do you think your craft may be replaced by technology?

I believe human interpretation cannot be reproduced by a machine. Perhaps a machine can make a perfect reproduction, but it cannot imbue its soul and passion into an instrument like a human luthier does.

Was there ever a special turning point in your career as a luthier?

I was invited to partake in the Music of Recycling project in 2013 to construct instruments with recycled material. The project originated in Paraguay and was adopted by Queen Sofía of Spain to empower children at risk of social exclusion through creativity and music. I have invited a group to construct their own instruments at my atelier and hopefully we will train the first luthier for the Music of Recycling.

How has recycled material changed your approach to your work?

Working with limited resources has sparked my inventiveness and has taught me that creativity emerges in moments of necessity. This experience has reinforced my belief in circularity and giving back. It reminded me of the humble origins of our lutherie, when my grandfather constructed his first violin at age eight from scraps of rubbish.

Fernando Solar is a master artisan: he began his career in 2000 and he started teaching in 2013

Works

©Patricia Blanco

©Patricia Blanco

©Fernando Solar

Where