Gabriela Montero played to a sold out crowd at Lincoln Performance Hall.
Dear friends of PPI,
We did it: A sold out season opening! Thanks to you all, Gabriela Montero and her “Sunlight in Iberia” program transformed this October’s first gloomy Sunday into a fiery fiesta of sound and reminded us all why we simply adore the piano. From the noble charm of Granados’s Valses poéticos to the explosive joy of Liszt’s “Spanish Rhapsody” – we won’t be exaggerating when we say that this recital was one of our most spectacular ones, ever. If the set program wasn’t spellbinding enough, Gabriela’s improvisations were like the final incantation crystallizing the pure magic of her playing. “Amazing grace” seamlessly interweaved with Chopin’s first Ballade, moving through intricate contrapuntal patterns and dabbling in ragtime rhythms? Yes, indeed! You’ll agree with us that a talent like Gabriela’s can only be described in superlative terms – and that every moment with her was a blast. We can’t thank you enough for the warm and wonderful support you gave her!
From pint-sized patrons to Guide Dogs for the Blind – a packed Lincoln Hall received Gabriela Montero with open arms.
Monday night's Master Class at Portland Piano Company proved that she's not just a stellar artist but also a gifted teacher. Nancy Ngyen, Anne Denis and Sam Lopez beaming with Gabriela after an enlightening evening of learning.
Now that we’re out of the starting blocks and perfectly primed, we look forward to welcoming you back in less than a fortnight for Jan Lisiecki’s “A whole dancing world” – a recital that promises to be every bit as impassioned and inspiring. Jan’s program turns the stage into a global dance floor, tracing a visceral, rhythm-driven line from the ballrooms of Vienna to the tango clubs of Buenos Aires. Listen to the playlist here if you want to prepare your ears. Warning: You may not be able to resist the urge to get out of your seat and stomp your feet!
If you aren’t a subscriber yet, here’s a nugget of great news: You can still buy a subscription for the remaining 6 concerts! This guarantees you a lower per-ticket rate, and the same seat for every recital!