EDMOND—Brazilian piano sensation Sergio Monteiro performed for 304 concertgoers on November 21 in Armstrong Auditorium. The 80-minute program of Mozart, Shumann, Chopin and Henrique Oswald was the third event of the 2014-2015 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation concert series.
“Sergio Monteiro has established an impressive repertoire through his incomparable creativity and energy,” concert manager Ryan Malone said in a press release before the concert. “When he starts playing, music comes to life.”
Monteiro opened each half with a 10-minute piece followed by a half-hour work. His performance was equal parts soothing and fiery, tender and frenetic, and featured technical mastery and graceful flourishes.
The audience responded to Monteiro’s efforts with a standing ovation; Monteiro obliged the crowd with two encores, the second of which showcased his dizzying hand speed. Grateful fans presented the pianist with four large bouquets of flowers before he exited for the final time.
Some concertgoers traveled long distances to see Monteiro in action. One couple drove down from Kansas. Before his encores, Monteiro thanked everyone for their support, including a group of his students from Oklahoma City University.
Monteiro has performed with the most prestigious orchestras in Brazil, Europe and America, and at the Kremlin in Moscow. He once received a 20-minute standing ovation in Buenos Aires. He has given piano master classes in Brazil, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Finland. He recently came to Oklahoma City University to head its piano program.
The 2014-2015 concert series continues on January 15 when the Juilliard String Quartet visits Armstrong Auditorium. The remainder of the series includes performances by the Russian National Ballet Theatre, King’s Singers, Venice Baroque Orchestra with mandolinist Avi Avital, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with pianist Jeremy Denk, and Step Crew. The next performance in the auditorium will be a Philadelphia Church of God musical production by music director Ryan Malone: The Book of Isaiah (January 1, 3 and 4).