Summer Festival Series | Gustavo Romero Plays Frédéric Chopin

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037

Sundays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2024
4 PM
We are pleased to announce the dates for the 25th Athenaeum Summer Festival, a series of four concerts that will feature virtuoso pianist Gustavo Romero.

For 24 years, the Athenaeum has presented unforgettable festivals featuring Gustavo Romero performing the complete piano repertoire of a specific composer. Whether you have been with us all 24 years or have yet to experience the wonder of this artist—who plays from memory—you will not want to miss our upcoming 25th Summer Festival.

Romero, a native San Diegan, with a heritage in Guadalajara, first performed at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library as a young boy, and it was with him that the Athenaeum planned its first Summer Festival in 1999, the organization’s 100th anniversary. Each year, Romero chooses composers to study in depth, sharing the full range of their artistry.

Dinners will be offered at the Athenaeum after the first and last concerts (July 7 and 28), providing an opportunity for concertgoers to socialize, meet Mr. Romero, and share a delicious meal. All concerts begin at 4 PM at the Athenaeum. Priority seating will be given to Donor-level members and above, and to dinner guests.

About Gustavo Romero: Concert pianist Gustavo Romero is internationally renowned for his exceptional technical brilliance and interpretive depth and has gained acclaim for his commitment to in-depth exploration of a wide variety of composers.

Romero discovered his love and gift for the piano at age 5 and gave his first public performances at the age 10, when he also won his first piano competition. By age 13 he was performing with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. Rudolf Serkin recognized his exceptional talent, and at age 14 Romero began attending The Juilliard School.

Romero has won many prizes, including first prize in the prestigious Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland, the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and Musical America’s Young Artist Award. He has performed with the world’s leading orchestras—including the New York, Los Angeles, New Japan, Shanghai, Cape Town, and Liège Philharmonics; Atlanta, Houston, Pittsburgh, Honolulu, and New World Symphonies; and Boston Pops, English Chamber, Radio France, Russian Symphony, and Thailand Philharmonic Orchestras. With the Philharmonia Hungarica Orchestra he performed in a concert internationally televised from the United Nations.

Program
Concert 1 (July 7)

Nocturne in B-flat Minor, op. 9, no. 1

Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 9, no. 2

Grande Valse Brillante in E-flat Major, op. 18

Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 35 (“Funeral March”)

—Intermission—

Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, op. 52 Mazurka, op. 17, no. 4

Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat Major, op. 22

Concert 2 (July 14)

Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, op. 27, no. 1

Nocturne in D-flat Major, op. 27, no. 2

Polonaise in C-sharp Minor, op. 26, no. 1

Polonaise in E-flat Minor, op. 26, no. 2

Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, op. 20

—Intermission—

Prelude in C-sharp Minor, op. 45

Impromptu No. 1 in A-flat Major, op. 29

Ballade No. 2 in F Major, op. 38

Mazurka in C-sharp Minor, op. 41, no. 4

Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 31

Concert 3 (July 21)

Nocturne in B Major, op. 32, no. 1

Nocturne in C Minor, op. 48, no.1

Polonaise in C Minor, op. 40, no. 2

Polonaise in A Major, op. 40, no. 1 (“Military Polonaise”)

Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, op. 47

Mazurka in C-sharp Minor, op. 50, no.3

Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, op. 39

—Intermission—

Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, op. 58

Concert 4 (July 28)

Nocturne in E Major, op. 62, no. 2

Nocturne in B Major, op. 62, no. 1

Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, op. 44

Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat Major, op. 51

Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, op. 23

—Intermission—

Polonaise-Fantasie, op. 61

Mazurka in C Minor, op. 56, no. 3

Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, op. 60

Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, op. 54

The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.