• Story

EDMOND–Two of the world's greatest stars of guitar appeared January 24 on the stage the John Amos Field House for the third event in the 2008-2009 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation's Concert Series.

Critically acclaimed artists Eliot Fisk and Angel Romero teamed up for an evening of dazzling fandangos and sublime tremolos which brought the audience to their feet demanding more.

The concert was reviewed by Dr. Clif' Warren of Edmond Life and Leisure.

"Fisk, ‘the last direct pupil of Andres Segovia,’ dominated the evening’s format, as well he should, for Romero appeared last year on the college program with his family, indeed the royal family of Spanish guitar, and will appear again at the college’s grand new arts palace when it opens next January for the initiatory programs.


"That is not to say that Angel Romero did not offer solos himself, entertain with his delightful memories of his musical family’s anecdotes and exploits, and give his forth his heart and soul in the duets with his Fisk, the innovator, transcriptionist, teacher, performer and all-round Renaissance man. The maestros began their collaboration in 2008 and embarked on their worldwide tour, each enhancing the techniques of the other and discovering great joy for themselves and their audiences in their performances.


"The two are a study in contrasts—Fisk bears the scholar’s mien, a full head of buoyant medium gray-brown hair. Saturday evening he wore a light orange cravat, matching shirt and dark suit. He possesses a thin body type rather like that of the late screen luminary Hume Cronyn. His musical attitude is to cradle his guitar, and in phrases where he plucks single notes he does so rather like a harpsichordist, and he indeed studied at Yale under the renowned harpsichordist, Ralph Kirkpatrick.
Angel Romero, in contrast, resembles a music theatre matinee idol in the style of Rossano Brazzi, with his white wavy hair and tawny complexion. He is loose, relaxed and uses the typical small footrest as a prop for his left foot. He moves his guitar passionately as he strums the instrument or beats the flat of his hand against it to augment the rhythmic effect. His flashy gypsy guitar techniques on songs like 'Malaguena,' composed by Celedonio Romero, his grandfather, are memorable.

"Also known for his many excellent recordings and appearances throughout the world as featured soloist with symphony orchestras, Romero made his professional debut at the age of six. His American debut at the Hollywood Bowl at age sixteen launched the West Coast premiere of 'Aranjuez Concerto' by Rodrigo, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
Romero warmed the audiences with his delightful stories and humor, and dressed casually in white shirt and brown trousers, he was totally at ease, like a Dean Martin without the booze.

"The unparalleled program included every guitar technique imaginable and began with 'Siete canciones populares' by Manuel De Falla, six popular songs based on folk melodies, all of varying moods and textures, featuring the artists in duets, each artist offering different parts of the melody and accompaniment. Those songs delighted the audience and set a receptive mood.
Fisk offered his famous transcriptions of the immortal Isaac Albeniz’s works based on Spanish sites like Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Cadiz, all expressive of varied themes, each individually stylized. Whether using his guitar to give the sound of a full orchestra or delivering the softness of a single sigh, Fisk was masterful.

"The piece de resistance of the evening was the grouping of seven songs based on the old Spanish songs ('Canciones Espanolas Antiquas') by Frederico Garcia Lorca. The new versions for two guitars by Fisk and Romero with their varying impressionistic sites, and scenes, and rhythms were pure catnip for the audience that demanded three encores."