Gabriela Montero

One-Time Miami Recital by World-Renowned Pianist

Gabriela Montero is unlike any other contemporary pianist. The University of Miami alum has risen to historic heights having performed in a quartet with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, and clarinetist Anthony McGill at the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.

Now this hometown star is coming back to perform at the Gusman Center of the Performing Arts on Friday, February 11 at 8 pm.

Classically trained, her impassioned interpretations and flawless execution have made her a favorite at places from the New York Philharmonic to the Hollywood Bowl. What really makes Montero unique, though, is her ability to create new music on the stage – give her a melodic theme, from Bach to the Beatles, and she will improvise, fearlessly and imaginatively. Although improvisation is generally associated with jazz, it was once popular among classically trained pianists, but has been virtually absent in recent times.

Born in Venezuela, she moved to the US with her family and later attended the University of Miami before studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Of her ability to build on her classical foundation, Vivien Schweizer of the New York Times stated that “passion, poetic musicality and sense of structure Ms. Montero brings to classical works translate to her classy improvisations… no matter how complex the variations, the original melody always emerges triumphantly.”

For tickets to see Gabriela Montero at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, go to Ticketmaster.com, or call 1-800-745-3000.