Poster Gabriela Montero
Composer and pianist Gabriela Montero is the 2023 Classical Woman of the Year.
Anders Brogaard
Performance Today®

2023 Classical Woman of the Year: Gabriela Montero

Performance Today has selected acclaimed Venezuelan composer and pianist Gabriela Montero as the 2023 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the classical music art form and have inspired our listeners.

“I’m thrilled that Gabriela Montero is our 2023 Performance Today Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host and senior editor of Performance Today. “She is a soulful artist at the piano, bringing out the beauty and humanity in a wide range of music, from Mozart to the heart-on-sleeve Romantics to 21st-century works. She is a fervent composer of music that speaks to the joy and tumult of our times. Her lifelong delight in improvisation fascinates and delights audiences around the world.

“She is equally committed to passionate work on behalf of emerging musicians in our field, and devoted to human rights causes, especially in her native Venezuela. Her unique combination of professional artistry and personal integrity brightens our art and inspires our souls. It’s with great pleasure that we recognize Gabriela with this well-deserved award.”

Gabriela Montero
Gabriela Montero has been recognized for her commitment to human-rights advocacy in Venezuela.
Shelley Mosman

Born in Venezuela, Montero is a celebrated pianist and composer known for her visionary interpretations and unique compositional gifts. She has performed in many of the world's leading orchestras and has received critical acclaim for her exceptional musicality and ability to improvise. Montero’s recordings have won many awards, including the Latin Grammy for best classical album, the Heidelberger Frühling Music Prize and the 4th International Beethoven Award. Her first full-length composition, Piano Concerto No. 1 (Latin Concerto), was performed in 2016 at the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

She also is a committed advocate for human rights. She was named an Honorary Consul by Amnesty International and also was recognized by the Human Rights Foundation for her ongoing commitment to human-rights advocacy in Venezuela.

“I am very humbled to accept the honor of Performance Today’s Classical Woman of the Year, 2023,” she said upon finding out she has been chosen for the honor. “My special thanks to all of you at American Public Media, but especially to our supportive listeners nationwide, without whom our music would fall silent. Keep listening!”

Montero was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations, submitted in March.

She will be recognized on the March 31 episode of Performance Today, including a conversation with Child about her extensive career and accomplishments.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

Pianist Michelle Cann made her orchestral debut at the age of fourteen and has since performed with numerous top-tier orchestras. Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, Cann is also a leading interpreter of Florence Price's music. On today's show, Michelle Cann joins Fred Child in our St. Paul studio, introducing listeners to the music of Irene Britton Smith and Hazel Scott.

1:59:00
Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Conductor Joana Mallwitz aims for new concert hall audiences to experience the orchestra's vibrant energy, feeling the floors tremble. In today’s program, we'll hear a result of Mallwitz’s enthusiasm as she leads the Berlin Philharmonic in Paul Hindemith’s “Symphony: Mathis der Maler.”

1:59:00
An enduring partnership

An enduring partnership

Jennifer Frautschi plays a violin made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1722. A foundation loaned the instrument to her with the understanding that they could ask for its return at any time. That was 24 years ago… and apparently, they're happy with what she's doing with their violin! We’ll hear Frautschi—and her ‘loaner’ instrument—perform music by Haydn on today’s program.

1:59:00
Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Pianist Imogen Cooper loves how Franz Schubert's music can shift from moment to moment. She says, “It's as if he takes you by the shoulders, swings you around, and says, 'That was then, this is now.'" Tune in today to hear Cooper's interpretation of Schubert's Impromptus at a recent concert presented by the Frederic Chopin Society in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1:59:00
Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

In 2006, composer Missy Mazzoli wrote a piece dedicated to her father, who served in the Vietnam War. The music explores the connection between her father’s war memories and a poem by James Tate. Today’s show takes us to a recent concert in Switzerland to hear “These Worlds in Us” by Missy Mazzoli.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

1:59:00
Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin is one of the most celebrated and respected pianists of our time. His performances are renowned for their brilliance, technical mastery, and deep musicality. In today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Toronto to hear Hamelin perform from Nikolai Medtner's 'Forgotten Melodies.'

1:59:00
Simone Dinnerstein

Simone Dinnerstein

Philip Glass's "Mad Rush" often divides listeners—is it meditative or merely repetitive? Pianist Simone Dinnerstein finds it an amazing piece that keeps her grounded in the present moment. Today’s show features her compelling performance from a recent concert at Spivey Hall, located just outside Atlanta in Morrow, Georgia.

1:59:00
A notable recovery

A notable recovery

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern.

1:59:00
Just Another Climb

Just Another Climb

In 1939, four women climbers reached the summit of Wyoming’s Grand Teton at dawn, racing to be the first and to counter skepticism about their unassisted ascent. Newspapers at the time called it the first "manless" ascent of the mountain. In response, one of the women said, “To us it was just another climb.” Today's show will feature both the story and the music: "Just Another Climb" by Kimberly Osberg.

1:59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00