The prince of classical picking

Young Chang

Celebrated guitarist Pepe Romero can’t say enough about his belated

57th birthday party, which happened earlier this month. The entire family

came over to his Del Mar home and all the generations made music, even

the littlest relatives.

His seven-year-old grandson played the guitar for him and his

two-year-old granddaughter sat on his lap pretending to strum.

“And believing that she was playing,” he said. “The difference between

playing and not playing is believing that you can.”This is what Romero

learned from his father, the late and legendary Celedonio Romero. It’s a

lesson he still passes along today. For this bloodline, music is a family

affair.

“The trajectory of the guitar between my father and I was the entire

duration of our physical relationship and will go on as long as there’s

someone playing the guitar,” said Romero, the second son in a Spanish

family coined “The Royal Family of the Guitar.”

Romero will join the National Orchestra of Spain at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center today for the Philharmonic Society’s final

performance of the season. Rafael Frubeck de Burgos will conduct as the

orchestra performs pieces by Spanish composers Isaac Albeniz and Manuel

de Falla. Romero will be the featured soloist.

“It ends the season on a light note, a happy note,” said Dean Corey,

society executive director. “We’ve had a very good season this year, and

this is sort of a nice, festive way in which to close out.”

Returning to the Center will be a nostalgic experience for Romero.

About six years ago, before Celedonio Romero died in 1996, father and son

performed there as a quartet with two other family members.

“But it’s not hard because I feel his presence everywhere I play,

every note I play,” Pepe Romero said.

Famed for his interpretations of music and his techniques, Romero is a

recipient of the Premio Andalucia de Musica, the highest honor granted by

Spain to contributors in the arts. He has performed with more than ten

American orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston

Pops and the Dallas Symphony. He was also invited to perform at such

venues as the White House and the Vatican as part of the family-quartet,

The Romeros.

“As far as I can remember, I’ve always played [the guitar,]” said

Romero, who gave his first performance at the age of seven. “For me it’s

like talking. I have no recollection of when I couldn’t talk.”

His father was his only guitar teacher, and the lessons began

immediately.

“The process of learning begins the first day that you listen to the

guitar,” he said. “And that was the day I was born.”

Celedonio Romero continued to play until he lost strength in his hands

about 12 days before his death. Pepe Romero took over when that happened,

strumming his father’s dark-colored Rodrigues.

“I took on the torch, mine and his,” he said.

Romero’s not sure which torch -- guitar -- he’ll use for tonight’s

performance. He alternates between his father’s and the creations of his

guitar-making son and namesake.

“In the morning, I will have a cup of coffee and play them both,” he

said. “And whichever one wants to go to the concert, I will bring her.”

FYI

WHAT: Pepe Romero joins the National Orchestra of Spain

WHEN: 8 p.m. today

WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa

COST: $15-$55

CALL: (949) 553-2422