IRV ING S . G ILM ORE IN T ERN AT ION A L K E Y B OA RD FEST I VA L © Felix Broede
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Piano Masters Series: Montero debuts and Perahia returns The Gilmore is pleased to present two extraordinary artists, Gabriela Montero and Murray Perahia, for the 2018–2019 Piano Masters Series. The two virtuosos, along with six gifted artists from the Rising Stars Series, comprise The Gilmore’s 2018–2019 concert series of pianists from around the world. Venezuelan-born Gabriela Montero will make her Gilmore debut on Thursday, November 15, at 8:00 pm in Chenery Auditorium, performing Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, K. 330 and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 (“Waldstein”). In addition to her acclaimed interpretations of the piano repertoire, Ms. Montero is also celebrated for her ability to improvise, composing and playing complex new works in real time. The second half of her program for The Gilmore will include such improvisations. Ms. Montero will invite audience members to sing a tune or hum a few bars from any musical piece, then immediately perform a multi-layered improvisation based on the music or image presented. “I connect to my audience in a completely unique way—and they connect with me,” Ms. Montero says. “Improvisation is such a huge part of who I am, it is the most natural and spontaneous way I can express myself.” For many years she kept this aspect of her playing to herself, but fate intervened in the form of an international piano legend. “Martha Argerich overheard me improvising one day and was ecstatic,” Ms. Montero explained. “In fact, it was Martha who persuaded me that it was possible to combine my career as a serious ‘classical’ artist with the side of me that is rather unusual.” Ms. Montero’s visionary interpretations and unique improvisational gifts have garnered her critical acclaim and a devoted following on the world stage. Anthony Tommasini remarked in The New York Times that “Montero’s playing had everything: crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power…soulful lyricism…unsentimental expressivity.” Legendary pianist Murray Perahia will return for his fourth Gilmore appearance on Sunday, May 5, 4:00 pm, also in Chenery Auditorium.
Mr. Perahia stands in the tradition of the great keyboard virtuosi as an artist armed with consummate technical skills, boundless imagination, and near-mystical eloquence. His pianism, recognized as exceptional since his student days, has matured over more than four decades to deliver unique insights into music’s most spiritual qualities. “I love to play the piano,” Mr. Perahia says. “I love the instrument. I think it has a series of secrets that we have to find out from it.” Certainly, West Michigan audiences respond to Mr. Perahia’s interpretations of the great repertoire landmarks by everyone from Bach and Beethoven to Chopin and Liszt. He performed to electrified audiences at his three previous Gilmore appearances in 2002, 2009, and 2015. Mr. Perahia performs in all of the major international music centers and with the world’s leading orchestras. He also has recorded an extensive discography to critical acclaim and multiple awards. Mr. Perahia is the recipient of two Grammy Awards: for his recording of Frédéric Chopin’s complete Etudes, Op. 10 and Op. 25, and for Bach’s English Suites Nos. 1, 3, and 6. He also has won several Gramophone Awards and was the inaugural recipient of Gramophone’s Piano Award in 2012. In October 2016, he released a highly anticipated recording of Bach French Suites, his first album on the Deutsche Grammophon label. U
HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE thegilmore.org Choose performances and select your seats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week BY PHONE 269.359.7311 Monday–Friday, 10 AM–1 PM IN PERSON The Gilmore Box Office 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall Monday–Friday, 10 AM–1 PM