Two Articles about Francisco González, and Ramiro Isaza Colombian guitarists

During the last years I have been immersed in the research of the guitarists that have outlined the history of the guitar in Colombia. Some of them have been Ramiro Isaza founder of the guitar program at the Nationale University of Colombia, and Francisco González, a guitarist and composer who emigrated first to Mexico and then to France from where he has been one of the leading figures of Colombian and Latin American culture and music.

FInd the history of these two artists in the following links:

https://www.redalyc.org/journal/874/87470125004

https://revistas.udistrital.edu.co/index.php/estart/article/view/22539

https://revistas.udistrital.edu.co/index.php/estart/article/view/22539

https://www.redalyc.org/journal/874/87470125004

“Songs of my life” (Canciones de mi vida) my latest release!

I have been very excited to release my fifth CD which is a selection of songs that have been meaningful at some point of my life. Thus, I this CD offers a vartiety of pieces in nice arrangements from Toru Takemitsu or Roland Dyens among others. Some of the songs that I perform are Yesterday (Lennon-Mc Cartney), Göttingen (Barbara) or Ne me quitte pas (Jacques Brel). I have also included the wonderful Fantasía Caribe No. 1 based on “La gota fria” written for guitar by Colombian composer and guitarist Rafael Campo Vives. At the moment the CD is only available in Colombia through Tango Discos. However soon it should be available worldwide and the plattforms.

My fifth CD “Songs of my life-Canciones de mi vida” has been released in November 2022. It is available in Colombia through Tango Discos

Irene Gómez performs “El Retrato de Cecil”, a new piece for Colombian guitar repertoire

A visit to the French Ambassy on July 14th 2019

One of the projects in which I have been involved in the last years is to promote and perform new music written by Colombian composers. I have recently the opportunity to work on the piece by Carlos Lora “El retrato de Cecil”. I was very thrilled to learn this piece that Carlos composed inspired in his beloved mother, Cecil and he kindly dedicated to me. I hope you like this beautiful piece added to the new Colombian guitar repertoire!

I was so glad to being able to perform “El Retrato de Cecil” by Carlos Lora

Irene Gómez perfoms “Yesterday” (Lennon-Mc Cartney arr. Takemitsu)

My time of student in France…memories from yesterday…

Yesterday is like a hymn of our times. It was recorded in London on June 15th 1965. One of the features that made this song such an everlasting success is, that besides the beatiful melody, it includes a string quartet, a fact rarely seen in a long play of popular music. I have really enjoyed learn this fantastic arrangement of inconmensurable Toru Takemitsu. I hope you enjoy too the version I made from my home some weeks ago.

Irene Gómez plays Yesterday (Lennon-Mc Cartney) arr. T. Takemitsu

ALBÉNIZ MUSIC FOR GUITAR

Even though the Spanish composer Isaac Aléniz (1860-1909) has not actually written for guitar, his music has been strongly inspired by the rich sounds of this instrument. Indeed, the arpegios that appear in his work Granada from Suite Española Op. 47 remind the typical playing of the guitar. Thus, the guitar transcription is very idiomatic seeming very natural and original for the instrument.

Here, then an interpretation I made of Granada!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxvkYgrFFg
Granada was composed before 1900 and was first transcribed by Miguel Llobet. Here I played the transcription by Manuel Barrueco.

Video para el mes de la Herencia Hispana/Hispanic Heritage video!

Gracias a la invitación del Taller de Tardes Literarias y Artísticas organizado por mi amiga residente en New York Marcela Coello, grabé el famoso y hermoso tango “El Dia que me quieras”. Esta obra universal ha sido arreglada para guitarra por Anibal Arias. Escucha mi versión hecha en casa en tiempos de pandemia…

For the Month of Hispanic Heritage my friend Marcela Coello a resident of the New York area, invited me for her “Literary and Artistic evenings”. I played from the classic tango “El dia que me quieras” by Carlos Gardel. I hope you listen and enjoy this “homemade” version!

Irene Gómez Classical Guitarist

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