By Klaus Albrecht, NRZ Music Critic
Which pianist is able to animate the audience to sing? No problem for Gabriela Montero. The beautiful Venezuelan Gabriela Montero performs improvisations on topics being shouted out by the audience at the quality of her standard program. Even in the sold-out Alfried-Krupp-Hall of the Philharmonic Orchestra Essen, the dramatic last part of her concert caused enthusiasm and standing ovations.
The opening was also impressive, when she was performing Ferruccio Busoni's arrangement of Bach’s d-minor-chaconne of the violin-score Nr. 2, her playing was characterized by a voluminous orchestra sound. Even though Gabriela is a virtuoso, she is not an extrovert, she gathers herself before every composition, and sits quietly at her piano. Her Chopin – either ballads or polonaise fantasy – convinces through subtle colour and brilliance. The choice of tempi is well-balanced, the Rubato-latitudes discreet, and the accuracy of her prestissimo stunning.
Furthermore Gabriela performed the Mephisto Waltz Nr. 1 and it seemed that there is nothing she would not be able to play.