Vicente Gomez Concierto Flamenco

The Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra premieres “Concierto Flamenco” composed by legendary Spanish guitarist Vicente Gomez in 1953 but never before fully orchestrated.

Led by Music Director Dorothy Savitch, the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra performs the concerto with original orchestration by Patrick Russ and guitar by world-class musician Virginia Luque.

About Vicente Gomez

Vicente Gomez, born in Madrid, Spain in 1911, was one of the great classical and flamenco guitarists of the 20th century. By the time he was 10, Gomez was performing in his father’s tavern and at 13 gave his first recital in Madrid. Gomez pursued formal studies at the Conservatory in Madrid. In 1929, he left Spain and he toured Europe, North Africa and made his American debut at Town Hall in 1938.

Gomez became the go-to guitarist for Hollywood and appeared in five movies, including Blood and Sand with Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth, and The Snows of Kilimanjaro with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner. Gomez also provided the music for numerous other movies and was featured in four Broadway shows.

During the 1940s, Gomez owned one of New York City’s swankiest nightclubs, featuring Spanish cuisine and where he performed nightly. In 1953 Gomez moved to California and opened the School of Spanish Musical Arts in Los Angeles. He became an influential teacher, composing, recording, and continuing his work in Hollywood.