[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts music review of internationally acclaimed Argentinian pianist Daniela Salinas at The Athena Foundation for the Arts concert series.
The Athena Foundation for the Arts has brought another incredible artist to the San Fernando Valley in the guise of the internationally acclaimed Argentinian pianist, Daniela Salinas. I have been coming to these concerts now for about two years and every time I do, it is a special and memorable experience. And the performance given on October 13 by the master pianist Daniela Salinas keeps the Athena Foundation for the Arts’ reputation intact.
This concert, like all the others I have had the privilege to attend, was held at the Community Auditorium located at the Church of Scientology. The acoustics are grand. The lighting was succinct, and the performance was sublime. The virtuosity of Ms. Salinas’ playing is only matched by the grace and subtleties of the beautiful pieces performed. Among these pieces, there were selections from Heitor Villa-Lobos, Astor Piazzolla, Manuel Ponce, Radames Gnattali, and George Gershwin.
Ms. Salinas’ interpretations of said pieces are presented masterfully and with deep emotion. When you have the combination of great composers and musicians of this caliber, there is a magical sense of wonder and familiarity. Wonder from the beauty that comes from the playing and the familiarity is the connection from the artist to the audience. But, there is more. Ms. Salinas pays each note with such confidence and skill, but what struck me the most was the way she played the music inside the music. The silence in between the notes was just as stirring as the sounds we heard. She made me hear the silence between the notes. This is a first for me.
There was also a sense of fun and lightness and ease to the way she plays the piano. Her personality is evident in every selection. I had the sense that if I heard some of these selections by other artists, it wouldn’t be exactly the way I experienced her playing. Ms. Salinas plays the pieces and shows us a bit of herself with each selection. At times I found myself smiling as she finished a piece as if she was winking at the audience.
The Athena Foundation for the Arts has world-class musicians and each of these artists brings not only their talent but also themselves. Ms. Salinas is such an approachable artist that you feel like she would invite you to her table and share a glass of Argentinian wine with her. Do yourself a favor and catch the rest of the season. The concert series for 2025 starts March 9 and runs through September 7.
In case you missed the concert, here’s a glimpse of pianist Dianiela Salinas’ work.
About The Athena Foundation for the Arts
Our Mission: Create. Culture. Community. The Athena Foundation for the Arts sets the stage, providing an annual world-class concert series, bringing stellar musicians from around the world to share their outstanding programs with our community. Your tax-deductible donations make these programs possible. Ask about our corporate sponsorship program, connecting culture with commerce. Help the Athena Foundation for the Arts by donating today! It’s a Sound Investment.
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