By Lyn Bronson

Almost a year after pianist Daniel Del Pino appeared with the Monterey Symphony as soloist in the Chopin F Minor Concerto (at which time he made a very favorable impression), he was back in the area this weekend as soloist in the Mendelssohn G Minor Piano Concerto with the Santa Cruz Symphony on Saturday evening at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and on Sunday afternoon at the Mellow Center in Watsonville.

Del Pino is an exciting pianist. Not only does he have a dazzling virtuoso technique, but he can also create lovely lyrical lines, even in fast moving passages, as he did in the development section of the concerto’s first movement. He can also spin lots of magic, as he did in the concerto’s brief slow movement.

Continue Reading »