Once a year, the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library celebrates Mexican-American pianist Gustavo Romero by presenting him during the Athenaeum Summer Festival, for which he has played since its inauguration in 1999. This year’s festival begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5 at the Neurosciences Institute and continues at the same time and location each Sunday through July 29.

Known for his impeccable technique and facility, the native son first performed at the Athenaeum as a child. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Zubin Mehta at age 13. Soon afterward his parents were persuaded to allow him to enter New York’s Juilliard School, from which he graduated. A resident of Texas, he concertizes worldwide.

In previous Summer Festivals, Romero has devoted himself to the works of Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Schubert and Brahms, among others. This year he celebrates three composers and their 2009 anniversaries: Franz Joseph Haydn for the 200th anniversary of his death; Felix Mendelssohn for the 200th anniversary of his birth; and George Frideric Handel for the 250th anniversary of his death. Such observations make for interesting programming, to say the least. Concerts of July 5, 12 and 26 feature works by Haydn and Mendelssohn. All three composers are heard July 19.

The Athenaeum Summer Festival 2009 takes place at 4 p.m. Sundays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26 at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive. Tickets range from $25 to $45, with discounts for Athenaeum members. For additional information, visit www.ljathenaeum.org or call (858) 454-5872.

 

Athenaeum Summer

Festival 2009 Program

July 5

Haydn: Sonata in D, Hob. XVI:19

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 19, No. 4; Op. 30, No. 6 Fantasies, Op. 16

Haydn: Sonata in A, Hob.XVI:30

Mendelssohn: Variations serieuses, Op. 54

 

July 12

Haydn: Sonata in C Minor, Hob.XVI:20

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 19, No. 1; Op. 19, No. 2; Op. 19, No. 6; Op. 67, No. 4

Haydn: Variations in F Minor, Hob.XVII:6

Mendelssohn: Fantasie in F sharp Minor, Op. 28

 

July 19

Haydn: Adagio in F, Hob.XVII:9

Sonata in A flat, Hob.XVI:46

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 67, No. 5; Op. 85, No. 4; Gondellied, Scherzo a capriccio

Haydn: Sonata in C, Hob.XVI

Handel: Chaconne in G

 

July 26

Haydn: Sonata in F, Hob.XVI:23

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 62, No. 3; Op. 62, No. 5; Klavierstücke

Haydn: Fantasie in C, Hob.XVII:4

Haydn: Sonata in E flat, Hob.XVI:52

Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 62, No. 1, Rondo capriccioso in E, Op.14