Central Musical in Madrid (1867-1907)
When Jose Campo y Castro (1832-1911) opened his music store "Centro Musical " in 1867, the population of Madrid was between 330, 000 and 350, 000, 1/10th of its current population.
He is mentioned in the daily newspaper "La Esperanza" (Madrid. 1844) on March 23, 1867, page 4 in the article entitled: CENTRO MUSICAL (His music store name)
"...formed by several composers who were awarded the gold medal at the Royal Conservatory of Music and Declamation.
Driven by the noble ambition to cultivate an art to which they have dedicated—and continue to dedicate—all their efforts and enthusiasm, the members have not hesitated for a moment to join forces fraternally. They aim to foster the development and cultivation of the musical art in all its branches and to spread it across all social classes. To this end, they propose to create and provide compositions of every type—ranging from religious to secular music, including salon, dance, concert, and street music—scored for voices with piano or organ, orchestra, band, or specific instruments. They will employ the full resources of the art, tailoring the work to the needs and desires of the client regarding ease of performance or limitations on the number of instruments. This initiative offers an honorable opportunity to showcase their creative aspirations and expertise, given that—unfortunately—the fine arts, and music in particular, do not receive the encouragement and patronage in our country that one would hope for.
Anyone wishing to commission a work or learn more about our guiding vision is invited to contact the Musical Center’s representative, José Campo y Castro (at the guitar shop located at Calle de Cádiz, No. 16), enclosing a stamp for the reply; prospectuses are available there."
By September of 1867, his publishing business even offered tablature for guitar, bandurria and octavilla.
In January of 1868, in his 2nd year, they offered sheet music editions for Flutes, Violins besides Guitars.
In 1869, he only found to have advertised once.
In 1870 he introduced the inclusion of Zarzuelas to his musical offerings. Late that year he debuted the new edition of the Aguado method book with an appendix.
In 1871 he released his "Malagueña facil" (easy version).
On March 23, 1871 he began offering gut strings for Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass and Harp. He offered vocal and piano editions, 4 styles of flamenco pieces, at his expanding music store. He had been offering mail orders too.
In May 1871, he offered music written by his brother Agustin, who was Dionisio Aguado's favorite student amongst the two.
In the daily "El Diario español" on June 22, 1871 in the "Esposicion del Fomento de las Artes", it mentions Francisco Gonzalez (1820-1879) won 1st prize, Jose Campo 2nd prize, among the many awarded in all categories, Gold medal, 3rd prizes and honorary mentions.
In November he began to offer religious music for piano and organ, and piano for four hands.
On December 1, 1871 he began publishing 8 pages of piano music, "La Melodia", like magazine 8 new pages every month.
On January 19, 1872, they published Malagueña for voice and piano.
On March 7, 1872 a New Method with tablature for guitar with 24 songs was released. At this point in his business the advertisements were distributed in a dozen of the daily newspapers of Madrid.
On June 19, 1872 the published "Serenata" by Gounod for piano.
On September 23, 1872 they mentioned the 8 new pages of piano music was original music by Spanish authors.
On January 30, 1873 it states that new subscribers to the monthly piano offerings can get volume 1 with 108 pages and an elegant cover for the price of 52 reales. (52 Spanish reales were worth 13 pesetas, which was equivalent to approximately $2.51 USD - $2.51 USD in 1873 has the equivalent purchasing power of roughly $70.00 USD today.)
On January 31, 1873 they mention "La Melodia" was in its 2nd year of monthly offerings.
In 1874 the store moved from Calle Cadiz 16, which was the same address as his father Benito Campo (1798-1857), to Calle Espoz y Mina 9, Madrid, he and his wife lived at Calle de la Cruz, 30, 500 feet away from his store..
On October 10, 1876 is the 1st ad in over a year we find in the listing by the great resource: Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid. It has a song "La vuelta del soldado" moruno y seguidillas for voice and piano.
The 1876 guitar shown at the "Guitarras del Imperio" exhibition (Guitars of the Empire) in 2010 in Madrid was made at the new store location and is 620 mm scale like the guitar we currently offer.
On December 20, 1876 they offered small toy guitars called "guitarritas".
In 1877 the population of Madrid was 398, 000.
On March 1, 1877 they offered a collection of waltzes by Federico Chueca dedicated to Ricardo Zamacois, a famous actor.
On June 20, 1877 "La dama de las camelias" dedicated to the eminent actress Mrs. Pezzana with her photo on the cover, was released, written by Ricardo Oyanarte,
On December 19, 1877 was the ad shown below "Guitars, Musica, Cuerdas", it mentions the Silver medal awarded on June 22, 1871 in the "Esposicion del Fomento de las Artes", and that this store is providing sheet music for the Escuela Nacional de Musica .
On December 29, 1877 in the magazine "El Solfeo" is mentioned "Ante la tumba de Narciso Serra" for violin and piano, by Luis Arnedo y Muñoz, it had been sung in October at the Conservatory of Music in honor of the late poet.
On January 7, 1878 in the "Gaceta musical de Madrid " it mentions that some of their composers and pianists are Gold Medal winners.
On March 1, 1878 in "El globo" they offer 5 pieces by Federico Chueca. In the "Anuario-almanaque del comercio, de la industria, de la magistratura y de la administración" for 1879, his store is listed under Instrumentos de Musica, including the minimum price for an instrument, and the lowest prices for sheet music, whether for method books or presentational pieces.
On July 1, 1879 in the "La Unión" (Madrid. 1878) the "Larghetto of the Quintette" [Op. 587) by Mozart was offered.
On July 15, 1880 in the "Crónica de la música" is a simple ad.
On July 22, 1880 in the "Crónica de la música" he is mentioned as one of eight dealers of the Bernareggi Gassó pianos, very famous,
On January 20, 1881 in the "Crónica de la música" it mentions he is among the several dealers in Madrid now carrying Erard pianos from Paris, he is also now specializing in high quality Violin Bows since 1880.
From July 15, 1880 it appears he limited his advertising to the "Crónica de la música" to August 17, 1881.
In 1887 the population of Madrid was 472, 000.
In the "Anuario del comercio, de la industria, de la magistratura y de la administración" of 1888 it also mentions that Jose's brother Ignacio Agustin Campo y Castro was teaching at the music store.
In the "Boletín oficial de la propiedad intelectual e industrial" of 1886 to1892 Jose's contributions are included CAMPO Y CASTRO (D . Jose) .-Presenter: Lecturer musical.-Secci6n primera.-Un vol. - Ntimero 8.050 .-(Numero 62 del «Boletfn» .).
In the daily "El Resumen" of May 30, 1893 was the inclusion of the following: That the following musical compositions be registered in the Intellectual Property Registry in the name of Mr. José Campo y Castro and Mr. Ignacio Agustín Campo y Castro, the only surviving sons of Mr. Benito and Mrs. María:
A new method with the appendix, Appendix to the method, Three brilliant rounds, Great solo voice, El Minueto afandango with variations, A varied fandango,
Brilliant variations, Variations dedicated to Mr. Agustín Campo y Castro. This all being music of Dionisio Aguado.
In the "Diario oficial de avisos de Madrid" from January 25, 1894 to June 15, 1894 VIVETTE-VALSE Brillante vals, para piano, by Otto Schlff, from París was advertised day in day out for almost 5 months straight, it must have been a big hit.
In 1900 the population of Madrid was 540, 000.
In the magazine "Gedeón" (Madrid). of December 4, 1901 is the ad included, which for the first time is the mention of lauds of the bandurria family.
In the daily "El Globo" on April 4, 1902 is an appeal to Conservatory students, for all the items they need. In the "Guía oficial de España"of 1905 and 1906 Ignacio Agustín Campo y Castro was listed as a Harmony teacher at the Conservatory of Music and Declamacion.
In 1907 Ignacio Agustín Campo y Castro was also listed in the "Guia", but was located at a new address. In the "Guía oficial de España" through 1911 Ignacio Agustín Campo y Castro was included.
In 1920 the population of Madrid was 751, 000.
In 1940 the population of Madrid was 1,089 000.
In 1960 the population of Madrid was 2,259 000.
In 1970 the population of Madrid was 3,146 000.
In 1991 the population of Madrid was 2,985 000.
In 2009 the population of Madrid was 3,265 000.
