Biography
Angel Romero
Spanish maestro of the guitar — soloist, conductor, and one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation.
Hailed for his superior artistry as the Spanish maestro of the guitar, Angel Romero's eminence in the music world as soloist and conductor is heralded by audiences and critics alike. One of the most sought-after musicians of his generation, Angel Romero has appeared in the major cultural centers throughout the world including those of London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Munich, Zurich, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York among others.
He has appeared as soloist with such leading orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. As conductor, he has led numerous orchestras worldwide including the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the Royal Philharmonic, Germany's NDR Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Symphoniker, the Beijing Philharmonic, the Bogotá Philharmonic, and the Chicago Sinfonietta among others. Regardless of his role on stage, his driving intensity and flawless control mark him as a true master of the arts.
Early Life & Career
Born in Malaga, Spain, Angel Romero made his professional debut at the age of six and his United States debut at the Hollywood Bowl when he was 16, giving the West Coast premiere of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Aranjuez Concerto." This occasion also marked the first time a guitarist was featured as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mr. Romero studied conducting privately with Eugene Ormandy, the legendary conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
In 1992, Angel Romero appeared in the United Nations General Assembly Hall with the National Orchestra of Spain, a globally telecast performance by invitation of Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to promote world peace and celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of America. In 2016, he premiered Lalo Schifrin's second guitar concerto at the Hollywood Bowl with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic — recorded and aired by Great Performances on PBS.
Film
Angel Romero is noted for his activities in the film industry. In 1989, he performed the entire score for "The Milagro Bean Field War" directed by Robert Redford. In 1994, he composed and directed the music score for the Gabriele Retes film "Bienvenido-Welcome," winning the 1995 ARIEL — the Academy Award of Mexico — in the category of music written originally for film. He also performed and recorded the entire score for the film "By The Sword" composed by Bill Conti, and played a cameo role in the major motion picture "Blood in Blood Out," a Taylor Hackford film.
Honors, Awards & Career Highlights
- 2020Independent Music AwardBest Contemporary Classical Album — España (David Chesky)
- 2018Los Romeros Biography PublishedLos Romeros biography by Walter Aaron Clark published, 2018
- 2017World Premiere — Lalo Schifrin Guitar Concerto No. 2Angel Romero featured as soloist for the world premiere of Lalo Schifrin's Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra No. 2: Concierto de la Amistad with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, live at the Hollywood Bowl — featured on PBS's Great Performances Series, March 31, 2017
- 2007Recording Academy President's Merit AwardPresented to Los Romeros — February 8, 2007
- 2001PBS Documentary PremiereLos Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar documentary premieres on PBS — September 2001
- 2000Grand Cross of Isabel la CatólicaSpain's highest national honor — awarded February 11, 2000
- 1995ARIEL AwardBest Music Written Originally for Film — Bienvenido-Welcome (Academy Award of Mexico)
- 1992United Nations PerformanceInvited by Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to perform in the General Assembly Hall
- 1986Command Performance for HRH Prince CharlesLos Romeros command performance for His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III)
- 1985The Merv Griffin ShowAngel Romero appearance on The Merv Griffin Show — October 25, 1985
- 1984The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonAngel Romero performance with Claude Bolling on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, 1984
- 1983Special Performance at the VaticanLos Romeros special performance for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican
- 1978White House PerformanceLos Romeros performance at the White House at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter
- 1969State Dinner PerformanceLos Romeros performance at State Dinner at the invitation of President Richard Nixon, in honor of South Korean President Chung See Park — San Francisco, California, August 21, 1969
- 1967The Ed Sullivan ShowLos Romeros appear on The Ed Sullivan Show — February 26, 1967
- 1965The Tonight Show Featuring Johnny CarsonLos Romeros appear on The Tonight Show featuring Johnny Carson — February 23, 1965
- 1964The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonLos Romeros appear on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — January 31, 1964
- 1961First Official U.S. TourLos Romeros' first official U.S. tour
Discography
- 1962The Romeros: The Royal Family of the Spanish GuitarMercury
- 1965The Romeros: Baroque Concertos and Solo WorksMercury
- 1965The Romeros: An Evening of Flamenco MusicMercury
- 1966Flamenco Wedding Party Los Romeros with Singer Maria VictoriaMercury Living Presence
- 1967The Romeros: World of FlamencoMercury
- 1968Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Concierto Andaluz: Angel Romero and Los Romeros with the San Antonio Symphony, Victor Alessandro, conductorMercury
- 1968The Romeros: Vivaldi Guitar Concertos with the San Antonio Symphony, Victor Alessandro, conductorMercury
- 1970An Evening of Flamenco Music- Los RomerosPhilips
- 1973An Evening with the Romeros-Los RomerosMercury
- 1975Giuliani: Guitar Concerto, Op. 30; Rodrigo: Concierto Madrigal for Two Guitars, Angel and Pepe Romero with the Academy St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, conductorPhilips
- 1976Claude Bolling: Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano with George Shearing, Shelly Mann, and Ray BrownAngel Records
- 1976Spanish Virtuoso-Romantic Music for GuitarAngel Records
- 1976Classical VirtuosoAngel Classics
- 1977Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez and Fantasia para un Gentilhombre with the London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn, conductorEMI Classics
- 1977The Romeros Play Classical Music For Four GuitarsPhilips
- 1978Angel Romero Plays Rodrigo & Moreno TorrobaAngel Records
- 1978Rodrigo: Elogio de la Guitarra; Moreno Torroba: Piezas CaracterísticasAngel Records
- 1978Los Romeros: Telemann / Bach / D. Scarlatti / Loeillet / DowlandPhilips
- 1979The Divine GiulianiAngel Records
- 1980Torroba: Concierto Ibérico — Los Romeros with The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, conductorPhilips
- 1982Rodrigo: Concierto Madrigal; Concierto Andaluz- Los Romeros with the Academy St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, conductorPhilips
- 1982Moreno Torroba and Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concertos Homenaje a la Seguidilla-Moreno Torroba, Guitar Concerto in D, Op. 99-Castelnuovo-Tedesco, with the English Chamber Orchestra, Federico Moreno Torroba, conductorAngel Records
- 1983Giuliani: Guitar Concertos, No. 1 in A, Op. 30 - No. 3 in F, Op. 70 with the English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard, conductorAngel/EMI
- 1983Music of Celedonio RomeroAngel Records
- 1984Los Romeros: Bizet, Carmen Suite; Falla, Dances; Moreno Torroba, SonataPhilips
- 1984LeyendaEMI
- 1985Schifrin and Villa-Lobos: Guitar Concertos with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, conductorAngel Classics
- 1985Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2 & 5; Five Preludes for Guitar and Small Orchestra with Barbara Hendricks, Irma Costanzo, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Orchestra de Paris, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic OrchestraEMI Classics
- 1985Vivaldi: Guitar Concertos-Los Romeros with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Iona Brown, conductorPhilips
- 1988A Touch of Class: Popular Classics Transcribed for GuitarTelarc
- 1988Los Romeros Guitar FestivalPhilips
- 1989A Touch of RomanceTelarc
- 1991Granados: 12 Danzas Españolas with Celedonio RomeroTelarc
- 1991Movie Love Themes, guest artist with The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel conductorTelarc
- 1993Angel Romero Plays BachTelarc
- 1994Noël, guest artist with the Canadian BrassRCA Victor
- 1995Remembering the FutureRCA Victor
- 1995Vivaldi Concertos with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, guitar and conductorRCA Victor Red Seal
- 1997Joaquín Rodrigo: Works For Solo GuitarRCA Victor Red Seal/BMG Classics
- 2001Bella: The Incomparable Artistry of Angel RomeroDelos
- 2008Los Romeros Golden Jubilee CelebrationDecca
- 2011Christmas with Los RomerosDeutsche Grammophon
- 2013Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Rodrigo: Concierto de AranjuezHelicon Classics
- 2019España: Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra-Angel and Pepe Romero with Orchestra of the 21st Century/Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra-Angel Romero with Orchestra of the 21st CenturyChesky Records
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