Gabriela Montero: Chopin · Falla · Ginastera · Granados · Liszt · Rachmaninov · Scriabin [Includes Bonus CD]

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Alexander Scriabin (Composer), Manuel de Falla (Composer), Enrique Granados (Composer), Alberto Ginastera (Composer), Frederic Chopin (Composer), Franz Liszt (Composer), Gabriela Montero (Composer), Gabriela Montero (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gabriela Montero
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov, Alexander Scriabin, Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Alberto Ginastera, et al.
• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0009VK0LO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,264 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Scriabin, Alexander
  • #8 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Etudes
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Waltzes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb recital with interesting bonus disc, October 7, 2005

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gabriela Montero: Chopin · Falla · Ginastera · Granados · Liszt · Rachmaninov · Scriabin [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

Gabriela Montero's debut on a major label is a complete success. The interesting, varied program of romantic and South American composers is beautifully performed. A bonus disc contains improvisations on classical themes, some of which she performed on the first disc. It too is wonderful, with a totally different feel. While these are true improvisations, don't expect to hear jazz piano swing. This is a classical take on improvisation, in the manner of what the great composers might have done in the past. Wonderful stuff.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gabriela Montero, always a star, November 21, 2005

By 

Felipe Izcaray "Orchestra Director" (Salta, Argentina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gabriela Montero: Chopin · Falla · Ginastera · Granados · Liszt · Rachmaninov · Scriabin [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

I have known Gabriela Montero since I saw her play the Grieg Piano Concerto when she was 9 years old. She has always been a superb pianist, and now, finally, the music fans all around the world have a chance to taste her artistry in this great CD set.
I am the Director of the Salta Symphony Orchestra in Salta, Argentina, and on Sept 4, 2004, I had the privilege to accompany Martha Argerich and Gabriela Montero in the same concert.
The original program order was Ms. Montero in the first half playing Rachmaninoff's 3rd. Piano Concerto and Ms. Argerich in the second part playing Prokofiev's 1st. concerto and Ravel's Concerto in G Major. Ms Argerich asked us to change the order of the program, so that Gabriela would end the concert. Ms. Argerich wanted to sit in the audience and listen to Montero's interpretation of the Rach 3, a monumental tour-de-force for any pianist (and any orchestra). Argerich's own version of the concerto is legendary, so she knows the piece pretty well.

Ms. Argerich's comment after the concert was "This is by far the best Rachmaninoff 3rd. I have listened to in a live performance". These are her textual words.

This year, on September 25, when Ms. argerich played again with us (this time Schumann's A Minor and Haydn's D Major concerti), she told me "I haven't forgotten last year's Rach 3 with Gabriela, and I still think it was the best".
Gabriela will have her NY Philharmonic debut next March 2006, playing the Paganini Rhapsody by Rachmaninoff. If you are near NY at that time, don't miss it. Gabriela Montero is a sure bet!!!!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gabriela Montero would deserve 50 stars!, March 31, 2006

By 

Mamadu Bwana "chown -R GNU:Linux world" (in transit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gabriela Montero: Chopin · Falla · Ginastera · Granados · Liszt · Rachmaninov · Scriabin [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

Gabriela Montero is nothing short of a musical genius and her latest double CD allows her to fully express her incredible musical talents.

On the first CD she plays high-end classical piano composers such as Rachmaninov or Scriabin. This repertoire allows her to fully demonstrate her total mastery of the piano in all its aspects from the deeply moving Prelude in E flat minor (Scriabin) to the energy packed Danza del gaucho Matrero (Ginastera).

The second CD is even more amazing as it shows Gabriela Montero's talent as improviser. I could not pay her talents a higher compliment than say that her improvisations would make Bill Evans proud! In particular, her improvisations on Rachmaninov and Scriabin are both highly sophisticated and very emotional. I would argue that her improvisations allow her to fully develop and use her musical sensitivity, even more so than her classical repertoire.

The combination of the two CDs makes this album set the ultimate present for any person who loves piano, whether of the classical or the jazz style.

While Gabriela Montero is still young, she was born in 1970, I would submit that this album is a watershed in modern piano history and that it sets a new standard which few will be able to emulate.

I can only hope that following this brilliant success, Gabriela Montero will record many more albums, in particular with other brilliant and non-conforming musicians: for example, a duo album between, say, Gabriela Montero and John McLaughlin on the classical guitar.

My only regret is that at this time of writing Gabriela Montero does not seem to have a personal website with information about her current recordings, interviews and concerts. Hopefully, she will create one soon.

Sadly, I can only give 5 stars to this album. It would deserve at least 50, if not 500!