A Mixture Of Styles

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero is a protege of Martha Argerich. Not exactly a young rising star ( she was born in 1970 ) she has placed as much emphasis on her family as on her career. Reviews have been mixed and I happened upon a rave review before any others, hence the purchase. This double cd contains a recital of romantic repertoire on one disk and on the other, examples of her improvisations. The "main" cd features works by Rachmaninov, Scriabin, de Falla, Granados, Ginestera, Chopin and Liszt's Mephisto Waltz. I found Montero's playing more convincing in the latin and Chopin items and in the Mephisto Waltz than in the Russian items. That's not to say that her interpretations of Rachmaninov and Scriabin are without merit. The second disk of improvisations may also split opinion. There is always suspicion of artists who cross boundaries and the improv here is manily of a light jazzy nature and takes off from works by Rachmaninov, Bach, Chopin and Granados as well as items "in the style of ", "inspired by" and a couple of Montero originals. Classically trained musicians that I know have been unconvinced but I found the disk an enjoyable and relaxing listen. Whether it is deserving of a wide audience outside of a private after hours jam is more debatable but as a bonus to the main recital, it would be churlish to judge too harshly.