Acclaimed Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal in the United States

May 29, 2019

Regarding the concerts offered at the Sunset Center in Carmel, the main cultural center of California's central coast, the specialized local critics noted that while Marcos Madrigal enjoys fast sequences and technically difficult passages in any piece, according to the performer himself "his soul rests deeply in the softest passages".

The overture to "The Flying Dutchman" by Richard Wagner, which describes a storm at sea, and Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven, were part of the concert program called "Sound Waves", due to being works inspired by the sea.

The Cuban maestro who participated in closing six concerts performed with the Monterey Symphony, was assigned the "Concerto No. 2, Op. 21" by Frédéric Chopin, which features two fierce opening and closing movements, linked by an elegant and sensitive Nocturne that serves as a bridge between the two.

Precisely because of the stormy contrasts, this artist of the white and black keys was given a standing ovation by the American audience, who knew how to recognize Madrigal's skill and virtuosity when performing powerful and dramatic pieces.

In statements to the local press, the pianist said: "We must bring these great works of art to life. While I love fast, loud and technically challenging passages, I tend to work a lot on the depth of the soul. In the pianissimo, the lowest audible volume, lies the depth of human psychological reality".

Other international commitments in Finland, Italy and France, and the release of three new recordings, await the current president of the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) Cuba, who has accustomed the Cuban people to leaving his mark throughout the world of the national piano school.

In 2007 Marcos Madrigal graduated with honors from the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA) in Havana under the direction of the renowned professor and pianist Teresita Junco.

He then followed with recitals and individual appearances as a guest throughout Europe (Vienna, Rome, Bucharest, Granada, London, etc.) and Latin America. He was winner of a competition to pursue advanced piano studies at the International Piano Academy on Lake Como, Italy. In 2015 he made his United States debut at Finney Hall, at Oberlin College in Ohio.