Guitar master returns to Seoul for classical night

Spanish sounds have been quite a fad over the past few years, but mostly through the pop music of Ricky Martin and Marc Antony.

This Sunday, however, you have the chance to delve deep into the roots of Spanish music when the classical guitarist Pepe Romero comes to the Seoul Arts Center in the southern part of the city.

For more than half a century, the distinguished guitarist has inspired fans with his divinely artistic technique and thrilling interpretations of classical music.

Romero was born into a musical family in Malaga, Spain, in 1944. He was the second son of Celedonio Romero, who was at the head of the Romero family, known as "The Royal Family of the Guitar."

Romero started playing the guitar at the age of 3. He launched his professional career at the age of 7, a duet with his father.

Since then, Romero has performed innumerable concerts and played with the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra.

Under his recording contract with Philips Records, he has produced more than 50 recordings, including over 20 concertos with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner and Iona Brown. In addition, he has revived and premiered major works by composers such as Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Carulli and Luigi Boccherini. The great Joaquin Rodrigo wrote his last guitar concerto, "Concerto for a Fiesta," for Pepe Romero in 1983.

Three years ago, Romero was knighted into the Order of Isabel la Catolica for his contributions to Spain and the field of guitar music. Romero has also received the "Premio Andalucia de Musica," the highest recognition given for contributions to the arts by his homeland.

The program for Sunday night's show, which begins at 5 p.m., is mostly modern Spanish and Hispanic pieces, including the works of Hector Villa Lobos, Joaquin Malats, Joaquin Rodrigo and his father.

by Chung Soo-min

For more information, call (02) 2273-4455.