“Playing guitar is the equivalent of having three professions”

In his twelve years playing guitar Javier Conde Santos, only fifteen, has had many adjectives applied to his playing that reveal his magical affinity with the instrument: “young prodigy”, “virtuoso”, “artistically mature”. His most recent triumph, achieved just last Saturday, is first prize at the 25th International Flamenco Guitar Contest within the Festival de Cante de las Minas where he carried off the coveted “Bordón Minero” and a cash award of 3,600 euros.

With this, the young guitarist has a guaranteed future and consolidates his artistic reputation, because as his proud father says, “this is the first time in history anyone so young has been given first prize at this festival”. But four years ago he already surprised a lot of people when at the age of only eleven he made it to the finals and carried off second prize in a performance that was the harbinger of last week’s success. Despite his youth, Javier Conde is no longer a “young hopeful” but a convincing reality in his own right, capable of expressing with 6 strings everything his age prevents him speaking with words.

“His phrasing makes the music sing” Norberto Torres, guitarist, musicologist and flamenco expert

How does it feel to have won the Bordón Minero?
I’m thrilled with this prize because it’s the contest’s highest honor, and I’m the youngest person to receive it.

What pieces did you play in the contest?
An obligatory taranta, and zapateado.

What do you like playing most?
There are several things, the rhythmic forms, bulerías...also granaínas...[“But he plays everything” adds his father José Antonio Conde, “because he’s still in the formative stages”]

Who’s your role model on the guitar?
There are several....I like Serranito, Sabicas, Paco de Lucía... A number of people, mostly straightforward classic flamenco. There are others who play very well although they’re not my favorites, like Vicente Amigo.

You’ve already shared the stage with some of the greats...
Yeah, when I was 9 or 10 I played with Manolo Sanlúcar, Manolete, Lebrijano...

Are you still in a formative period?
I’m going to try keep studying flamenco, to enhance my career and make some headway.

How do you manage with your regular studies?
Not too well, because it’s a lot of hours, I have to go to the conservatory...

Is there any time for friends?
Not a great deal, practicing takes a lot of time.

How many hours do you practice every day?
Between four and five hours, seven days a week. [“He takes off Sunday sometimes” adds his dad].

What does playing guitar mean to you?
Playing the guitar is like a job, but it’s the equivalent of having three professions, because one field takes maybe six years at most to study, but this goes on for your whole life, every day, if you want to play professionally.

Is there any incentive to help you prepare here in Cáceres?
The truth is, flamenco is not a prime objective in Extremadura as much as other activities, all we have is some peñas, nothing else.

Is being so young an advantage, a disadvantage or neither?
It has its pros and cons. I’ve gone to contests where people say “it’s not possible for an eleven-year-old to play well” [he’s referring to the year 2000 when he competed at the Festival de Cante de las Minas for the first time], but I came in second place, so they had to think twice. People don’t understand how at 15 I can play what I do [and the boy speaks at length about society’s prejudice against young people].

But they have to eat their words when you pick up the guitar and play...
Yeah...[he smiles and nods]