Gabriela Montero will perform 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
Montero's visionary and nuanced interpretations have won her a rapidly expanding and devoted following. Audiences worldwide applaud her unique personal style and improvisational gifts. According to a recent New YorkTimes review, "Montero's playing had everything: crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power...soulful lyricism...unsentimental expressivity."
Her concert repertoire extends to 33 works for piano and orchestra, including Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," which she performed with the New York Philharmonic.
In addition to brilliant classical interpretations, Montero has a signature personal style. She has said, "I connect to my audience in a completely unique way - and they connect with me. Because improvisation is such a huge part of who I am, it is the most natural and spontaneous way I can express myself."
It has long been her desire to take her improvisations to the next logical step of composition. She has enthusiastically embarked on this new phase of her career by composing a work titled ExPatria for piano and orchestra. The composition received its premiere performances in London and on tour in Germany with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra. Montero will revisit ExPatria this season with orchestras in the United States and Europe.
Admission to the Thursday, March 21, Gabriela Montero concert is free for students and children, $8 adults, and $5 seniors and Skidmore community. For advance reservations visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information.