ROMERO, PEPE Acknowledged worldwide for his brilliant interpretations and impeccable technique, the guitarist Pepe Romero is constantly in demand for solo recitals and performances with orchestras. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have been an inspiration for a large number of famous composers, including Joaquín Rodrigo, Federico Moreno Torroba, Father Francisco de Madina, Celedonio Romero, Michael Zearrot, Paul Chiara, Lorenzo Palomo and Loris Tjeknavorian, who have written works specifically for him.
Born in Málaga on 8 March 1944, Pepe Romero is the second son of "The Royal Family of the Guitar", the Romeros. He began his guitar studies under his father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, and at the age of seven gave his first professional performance in a shared concert with his father. With more than fifty recordings to his credit, he has given the modern premières of major works by such composers as Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Francesco Molino, Ferdinando Carulli, Johan Kaspar Mertz, Luigi Boccherini and others.
Joaquín Rodrigo's last guitar concerto, Concierto para una fiesta, was written for Pepe Romero in 1983, and Andrès Segovia and the composer Federico Moreno Torroba chose him to record the world première of Diálogos entre guitarra y orquesta, a work originally composed for Segovia. He has appeared as a soloist and recitalist throughout Europe and the United States, and together with his father and brothers formed The Romeros Quartet, the foremost classical guitar ensemble in the world. As a member of The Romeros, he was invited to perform at the White House, in addition to playing at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and giving a special performance for his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. In June 1996, he received the Premio Andalucía de la Música, the highest recognition given by his native land for his contribution to the arts.
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