Gabriela Montero Returns with Her Dazzling Latin Concerto

Improvisatory genius Gabriela Montero returns to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall to perform her own Piano Concerto No. 1, “Latin Concerto.” Having made her concerto debut at just eight years old, Montero has captivated audiences worldwide with her technical brilliance, natural musicality, and extraordinary improvisational ability.

Her gift for shaping melodies into vivid, imaginative statements has earned her acclaim as one of today’s most dynamic pianists. The New York Times’ Anthony Tommasini praised her New York Philharmonic debut for its “crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power, soulful lyricism, and unsentimental expressivity.”

Currently Artist-in-Residence at London’s Barbican Centre, Montero will debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and present a new solo recital, Iberia, exploring Spain’s enduring influence on piano repertoire. She has also held residencies with orchestras including São Paulo, Prague Radio, Bournemouth, and Basel Symphonies—platforms for her artistry bridging composition, performance, and improvisation.

A hallmark of Montero’s performances is live audience-inspired improvisation. In her 2017 Hong Kong debut, she performed an eight-minute improvisation on John Williams’ Star Wars, showcasing dazzling technique and rare spontaneity across keys, meters, and styles.

Her Latin Concerto premiered in 2016 with the MDR Sinfonieorchester at Leipzig’s Gewandhaus and was featured on BBC Radio 3’s Classical Live in 2024. Montero describes it as a portrait of Latin America: “It has all the rhythms, charm, and sensuality people love—but it’s also a statement: not everything that glitters is gold.”

The concerto’s opening movement, Mambo, blends buoyant rhythms with darker undertones, reflecting Latin America’s depth and duality. Latin Concerto is a kaleidoscope of color, character, and conviction—a testament to Montero’s artistry as both performer and composer.

Three Quick Facts:

• Montero began playing music at just 7 months old, plucking familiar lullabies and Venezuela’s national anthem on a toy piano.
• In 2022–23, she launched the Gabriela Montero Piano Lab, mentoring students worldwide through virtual and in-person sessions, inspired by her mentor Martha Argerich.
• She is a Grammy nominee, Latin Grammy winner, Chopin Competition Laureate, and the first artist appointed Honorary Consul of Amnesty International for her creative activism.

Hear Piano Concerto No. 1, “Latin Concerto” live Nov. 20–22, 2025, led by Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley. Learn more.