Venezuela pianist to perform
- The Venezuelan native will play a unique set that consists of two parts — traditional classical works by composers such as Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Liszt, and a unique improvisational style that has become the foundation of her career.
- She recently performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Gabriela Montero
By Alexandra Marcus, News Writing Student
Classical-improvisational pianist Gabriela Montero will perform at 7 p.m. April 8, in the OCCC Theater in the final event of the Cultural Arts Series.
The Venezuelan native will play a unique set that consists of two parts — traditional classical works by composers such as Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Liszt, and a unique improvisational style that has become the foundation of her career.
Cultural Programs Director Dan Yates said the audience is in for a treat.
“What’s really neat about her is that she asks the audience to name a song of their choice, like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,’ then she will start playing that tune and turn it into her own unique classical or baroque piece.”
Montero grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, where she attended a school that taught young children how to pay orchestral music.
Later, Montero moved to the United States with her parents so she could continue her education and pursue her musical career.
Yates said Montero became fascinated with the popularity of improvisation in classical music, but that popularity soon fell, making written music the prime focus of the classical genre.
“Though improvisation was of much interest to Montero, she quit performing in that way because it was looked down upon.”
Montero eventually realized improvisation was her forté and decided to perform in that manner anyway.
She recently performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
“OCCC is beginning to bring a lot of big names to the campus theater, which is very exciting,” Yates said.
Montero also will host a lecture and demonstration at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the theater.
“This will include a preview of her performance as well as discussions of her background in a more informal setting,” Yates said.
The lecture and demonstration is free and open to the public. The evening performance is $22 for general admission, $17 for students, seniors, faculty, staff, and alumni association members, and $10 for children 12 and under.
