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Biography: Navarre and Pamplona
Childhood and youth
Although some claim he was born in Calle San Gregorio, the most reliable sources say that the violinist came into this world in a house on Calle San Nicolás, number 19-21, and indeed there is now a commemorative plaque on the current building, which replaced the previous one.
His parents were Francisca Javiera Navascués Oarriechena, from Orbaiceta, and Miguel Sarasate Juanena, from Pamplona. His grandparents on his father's side were Martín Sarasate, from Larráyoz, and María Juanena, from Sarasa, and on his mother's side, Francisco Navascués, from Urdaniz, and Micaela Oarriechena, from Maya.
He had three sisters: Micaela, Francisca and María.
Martín Melitón left the city of Pamplona at the tender age of two, since his father, a military official and musician by profession, was stationed at a number of different cities around Spain.
He returned to Pamplona at the age of 12, after just two days, for his First Communion, and to perform two concerts, demonstrating his talent as a child prodigy with his violin in his home town.
After the death of his mother, when he was studying at the Paris Conservatory, the Regional Government of Navarre granted him an annual scholarship of one thousand francs. In addition to this income, he also received an endowment from the Countess of Espoz y Mina, Juana María de Vega, a fellow native of Navarre; as well as financial support from Queen Isabella II; and an income managed by the Spanish Consulate in Bayonne, Ignacio García y Echeverría, who was also originally from Pamplona.
Pablo Sarasate did not return to Navarre until he was 28, coinciding with the celebration of the San Fermín Festival. However, the Civil War prevented him from returning until six years later on.
His many tours and concerts worldwide took him far from his home country and town, but they also made him a great ambassador from Pamplona in the countries he visited, always proud of his heritage.
My dear fellow countrymen know that I’ll never change; I’ll always love my country and my people, the people from Navarra…
