José María Gallardo del Rey

• Name — José María Gallardo Del Rey • Born — 18 May 1961 • Birthplace — Barcelona, Spain • Origin — Seville, Spain • Genre — * Classical • flamenco • chamber • symphonic • Occupation — Composer, guitarist, record producer, editor • Years Active — 1970–present • Label — * Gallardo Del Rey Ediciones • Deutsche Grammophon • Website — www.gallardodelrey.com José María Gallardo del Rey (born 18 May 1961) is a Spanish musician, guitarist and composer. He has received international awards, both as a performer and for his compositions.

Born in Seville, Spain, Gallardo del Rey started his career at the age of nine. His training as a classical guitarist has been enriched by his intense relationship with the world of flamenco. The combination of both styles has created a unique way to interpret and understand Spanish music, which contributed to projects like: his work as adviser to Paco de Lucía in his debut with the Concierto de Aranjuez (Japan 1990); Pasión Española with Plácido Domingo, which won the Latin Grammy Award in 2008; Habanera Gipsy (2010), with Elina Garança; and Caprichos Líricos with Teresa Berganza. In 2003, Gallardo del Rey composed his Lorca Suite as a tribute to Federico García Lorca and based on the poet's folk song compilations Canciones Españolas Antiguas, for which he composed harmonisations and link passages that fuse classical and flamenco techniques. His composition Glosas, commissioned by SLO Symphony Artistic Director Michael Nowak, received its premiere in March 2011. He has worked with Yehudi Menuhin, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Seiji Ozawa, John Williams (guitarist), Kaori Muraji, John Axelrod, Sir Neville Marriner, Philippe Entremont, Leo Brouwer, Michael Nowak, Karel Mark Chichon, Elton John, Ros Marbá, García Asensio, Josep Pons, and José Ramón Encinar. Gallardo del Rey has recorded sixteen albums: as a soloist, with his chamber orchestra La Maestranza and in many collaborations. His music has been choreographed by dancers such as María Pagés, Víctor Ullate and Lola Greco.