Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

March 2, 1913 in Málaga, Spain

Death

:

1996

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Celedonio Romero was a renowned classical guitarist and composer who was born on March 2, 1913, in Málaga, Spain. He was the eldest of ten children and grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Cipriano Romero, was a guitarist and composer, and his mother, Juana, was a singer. Celedonio's siblings also became musicians, with his brothers Pepe and Angel becoming famous guitarists in their own right. Celedonio began playing the guitar at a young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He received his first formal training from his father and later studied with other renowned guitarists, including Andrés Segovia and Regino Sainz de la Maza. He also studied composition and music theory at the Madrid Conservatory. In 1936, Celedonio joined the Spanish army and fought in the Spanish Civil War. After the war, he moved to Madrid and began performing as a soloist and with various ensembles. He also began composing music for the guitar, including his famous "Concierto de Málaga," which he premiered in 1957. In 1957, Celedonio and his family moved to the United States, where they settled in California. He continued to perform and teach, and in 1960, he founded the Romero Guitar Quartet with his sons Celin, Pepe, and Angel. The quartet quickly gained international acclaim for their virtuosic performances and innovative arrangements of classical and popular music. The Romero Guitar Quartet performed at major concert halls and festivals around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Edinburgh Festival. They also recorded numerous albums, including "The Romeros Play Vivaldi," which won a Grammy Award in 1978. Celedonio continued to compose music throughout his life, including works for solo guitar, guitar quartet, and orchestra. He also wrote several instructional books and videos on guitar technique and interpretation. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Celedonio was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the University of Southern California and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and he gave masterclasses and workshops around the world. Many of his students went on to become successful guitarists and teachers themselves. Celedonio Romero passed away on May 8, 1996, at the age of 83. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest guitarists and composers of the 20th century, as well as a beloved teacher and mentor to generations of musicians. His contributions to the world of classical guitar continue to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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