Today
Currently residing in Idyllwild, California between the pine trees and the mountain vistas, Lawrence Spector is writing modern classical music for guitar and orchestra and solo guitar. Below is the story of a musical journey written in his own words.
Yesterday
I have played the guitar since 1972. My first six years offered the experience of a variety of musical styles. In 1978 I decided to study classical guitar exclusively. The beauty of its sound seduced me, as I hope it will you. I chose as my teacher the late Vicente Gomez, a Spanish Flamenco and
Classical guitarist. Señor Gomez was in his mid-60’s, and in his earlier life composed for and played in several Hollywood movies. We were maestro and disciple for about seven years. In 1985 I sought out Los Romeros, the famous family of Spanish classical guitarists to instruct me in their ways. From them I learned a new approach to the technical challenges of the instrument — a method of solving its seemingly complex technique in a systematic manner emphasizing accuracy and a tension free playing mechanism. During this time I was residing in Los Angeles. In 1987 I moved to San Diego to be closer to Los Romeros and enjoy more intensive studies. I also enrolled at San Diego State University where Celin Romero was on the music faculty.
Currently residing in Idyllwild, California between the pine trees and the mountain vistas, Lawrence Spector is writing modern classical music for guitar and orchestra and solo guitar. Below is the story of a musical journey written in his own words.
Yesterday
I have played the guitar since 1972. My first six years offered the experience of a variety of musical styles. In 1978 I decided to study classical guitar exclusively. The beauty of its sound seduced me, as I hope it will you. I chose as my teacher the late Vicente Gomez, a Spanish Flamenco and
Classical guitarist. Señor Gomez was in his mid-60’s, and in his earlier life composed for and played in several Hollywood movies. We were maestro and disciple for about seven years. In 1985 I sought out Los Romeros, the famous family of Spanish classical guitarists to instruct me in their ways. From them I learned a new approach to the technical challenges of the instrument — a method of solving its seemingly complex technique in a systematic manner emphasizing accuracy and a tension free playing mechanism. During this time I was residing in Los Angeles. In 1987 I moved to San Diego to be closer to Los Romeros and enjoy more intensive studies. I also enrolled at San Diego State University where Celin Romero was on the music faculty.
In the summer of 1990 I traveled to Malaga, Spain for a special week-long master class with Los Romeros. During that summer I also attended a three-week master class in Salzburg, Austria with Pepe Romero. These experiences not only helped my guitar playing, they gave a sense of history to the music I play. (Most of the classical repertoire is from Europe.) The following summer I returned to Salzburg to once again participate in a Romero master class and absorb the musical culture of this inspiring city. When I returned to San Diego I graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Guitar Performance.
Although I've played numerous recitals and concertos not listed above before 1993, below is a list of concerts/recitals from that point onwards.
Concerts from 1993-2010
In 1993 I organized and performed a concert featuring two guitar concerti of Los Angeles composer and conductor James Domine. These works were performed with a string section comprised of members of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. In 1994 I gave a series of guitar and piano duet performances with pianist John Danke, featuring music of the Italian virtuoso/composer Mauro Giuliani. We played the fabulous Opus 70— a 30 minute guitar concerto of rapturous beauty. This work was also performed in its orchestral version with the New City Symphonia conducted by Dan Ratelle. In 1995 I performed Joaquin Rodrigo’s Sones en La Giralda with the Alcala Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nuvi Mehta. That year also featured performances with a string quartet of Giuliani’s Opus 30.
In 2000 I was invited to play with the Bakersfield College Orchestra under the baton of Robert Martinez. This concert offered the dazzling and rhythmic Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. To listen to excerpts of that concert click here.
A tendonitis from overuse put my career on hold until 2003 when I began practicing for my first CD entitled Romantic Evening. This was released in December 2004. To listen to this CD click here. Since then my focus has been divided between composition and performance.
In 2010, I performed the Concierto de Aranjuez with both the Coachella Valley Symphony conducted by Christian Chalifour and the Desert Community Orchestra conducted by Robby Martinez.
For a list of more recent concerts click here
Although I've played numerous recitals and concertos not listed above before 1993, below is a list of concerts/recitals from that point onwards.
Concerts from 1993-2010
In 1993 I organized and performed a concert featuring two guitar concerti of Los Angeles composer and conductor James Domine. These works were performed with a string section comprised of members of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. In 1994 I gave a series of guitar and piano duet performances with pianist John Danke, featuring music of the Italian virtuoso/composer Mauro Giuliani. We played the fabulous Opus 70— a 30 minute guitar concerto of rapturous beauty. This work was also performed in its orchestral version with the New City Symphonia conducted by Dan Ratelle. In 1995 I performed Joaquin Rodrigo’s Sones en La Giralda with the Alcala Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nuvi Mehta. That year also featured performances with a string quartet of Giuliani’s Opus 30.
In 2000 I was invited to play with the Bakersfield College Orchestra under the baton of Robert Martinez. This concert offered the dazzling and rhythmic Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. To listen to excerpts of that concert click here.
A tendonitis from overuse put my career on hold until 2003 when I began practicing for my first CD entitled Romantic Evening. This was released in December 2004. To listen to this CD click here. Since then my focus has been divided between composition and performance.
In 2010, I performed the Concierto de Aranjuez with both the Coachella Valley Symphony conducted by Christian Chalifour and the Desert Community Orchestra conducted by Robby Martinez.
For a list of more recent concerts click here
Composing
During all these years of classical study and performance, another style was also speaking to me. In moments of reverie, I came upon very pleasing and harmonious sounds featuring the guitar with orchestral instruments and also synthesizer. I have kept a journal of this music, and my next CD will feature these creations on classic guitar along with other instruments.
In 2024 I received a Master's of Music (MM) degree in Composition!
During my Master's program I expanded my composing skills and have now written non-guitar pieces for solo harp, woodwind quintet, brass sextet, percussion quartet, and a duet for piano and viola. More to come!
During all these years of classical study and performance, another style was also speaking to me. In moments of reverie, I came upon very pleasing and harmonious sounds featuring the guitar with orchestral instruments and also synthesizer. I have kept a journal of this music, and my next CD will feature these creations on classic guitar along with other instruments.
In 2024 I received a Master's of Music (MM) degree in Composition!
During my Master's program I expanded my composing skills and have now written non-guitar pieces for solo harp, woodwind quintet, brass sextet, percussion quartet, and a duet for piano and viola. More to come!