Culture: Mexican Duo for Classical Concert, Clinic in Kingston

Carlos Adriel Salmeron

Manuel Ramos

The UWI Chapel on the Mona campus in Kingston will on Thursday play host to celebrated Mexican musicians Carlos Salmeron (piano) and Manuel Ramos (violin),  in a gala event beginning at 7:00 pm. The pair are being hosted by the Mexican Embassy in Kingston.


The programme for the concert is an expected mix of European and New World masters, including Stravinksy, Beethoven and Augustin Lara and Manuel Ruiz Armengol, among others.

The foloowing afternoon, they will head to the Immaculatre Conception High School for a special Master Class, to be observed by some 60 students, with an additional 16 actively participating. The group will be drawn from Campion College, Hillel Academy, Immaculate and other high schools as well as the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

One of the most active musicians of his generation, Mexican violinist Ramos is a charter member of the Park City International Music Festival roster. Manuel Ramos serves as the official Performing Artist in Residence for the country of Mexico and performs through Mexico in connection of this honor, which is bestowed for the life of the artist. From Bach to Stravinsky, from the melodies of his native Mexico to the virtuoso showpieces of Paganini, Ramos interprets the varied repertoire for the violin. He has performed throughout the Americas, from Canada to Argentina.

He has been featured with such orchestras as the St. Louis and Pittsburgh symphonies, along with all the major orchestras of Mexico and Central America. Ramos’ recital engagements include appearances in Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C, and major halls in Mexico and South America. Ramos, who lives in St. Louis, immigrated to the United States in 1976 where he studied with Franco Gulli at Indiana University and where he has been associated with the St. Louis Symphony as a member of the first violin section. 

Originally from Mexico City, Salmeron has performed with numerous orchestras and musicians i n Brazil, Germany, Hungary, Costa Rica and his home country. He won third prize in the Angelica Morales-Yamaha National Piano competition in 2009, and in 2008, finished first in the Parnassos National Piano competiition and the V Chamber Music competition of Anuero.