Gabriela Montero

Audience as a Critic - 2018-2019

AUDIENCE AS CRITIC – APRIL 28, 2019
SCENES FROM CHILDHOOD

GABRIELA MONTERO, piano

Programme

Robert Schumann
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 “Scenes from Childhood”
Chick Corea
Selections from Children’s Songs
Gabriela Montero
Scenes from Childhood
Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61

Encore
Improvisation on Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer”

YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

Albert Chen, piano

Sergei Rachmaninoff    
Études-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 5

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

“The single greatest recital I’ve ever seen. Spectacular!!”

The most incredible, emotions-stirring pianist I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Truly a master of her craft. There are many pianists out there who can play at a high level, but she is the only one I’ve heard that can improvise so perfectly, with intense emotion, complex structure and flawless clarity as if it had been practiced 100 times before.  (Anonymous)

Bring her back! And I cried and cried. Such a rarity – classical skills, an incredible improv talent and heart! A stunning talent.  (KE)

Schumann – Such subtlety. Especially beautiful was the “Träumerai”.  Chick Corea – a delightful surprise, movement, joy, playfulness. Montero’s style with few notes — such great expressiveness, feeling connection with the artist, music and audience.  Montero’s own music – Drunk Man was funny! In canción de mi madre – beautiful, calming, sensitive, contains longing, sweet loss, that is still with us in memory, much feeling in the music. Shostakovich – Powerful for a large part. Improvisation – Scott Joplin à la Montero – What a delicious treat! Wanted to dance in my seat. Bodies wanted to move to the beat! She’s got rhythm! (CB)

Improvisation in classical music is alive and well!! (RR)

Sensitive and commanding Schumann. Amazing improvisation on “The Entertainer” to finish off. (ME)

You continue to bring charm and the brightest lights to the sombre seasons of our city. Gabriela Montero is arguably the highlight, though the incomparable Ms. Fialkowska was here too! The hall is more than a bit warm. This may not be in your control, but it would be nice if it could be a touch cooler. (C) (The change of season can be a difficult time for heating and cooling of large spaces, and EG Hall is a very difficult space to properly regulate at the best of times! We will continue to do our best to provide our audiences with a comfortable environment in which to enjoy our concerts. ED)