Daniela Roma is a world famous pianist. Daddy's daughter Calabrese, a native of Castroregio, a village of Arbëreshë origin in the Upper Ionian of Cosenza, and a Neapolitan mother, lives in Rhode Island (USA). She has performed in solo and chamber music concerts in prestigious theaters in Italy and around the world (Salzburg, Rotterdam, Pesaro, Lucca, Cosenza, Rome, Naples, Brussels, United States of America). Together with the Neapolitan flutist Ivan Nardelli, in 2010, he played, as a world premiere, "Echi d'Oriente", by the Albanian composer Lodi Luka.
Daniela Roma, her artistic training
After graduating with honors in piano, at the “F. Torrefranca ”in Vibo Valentia, Daniela Roma attended specialization courses with Aquiles Delle Vigne at the Internationale Sommerakademie Universitat Mozarteum in Salzburg (Austria). He holds a Master's degree in piano from the Hogeschool voor Muziek, University of Vocational Education of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and followed master classes with teachers of the caliber of Daniel Rivera, Gabriel Kwok and Choon-Mo Kang. She graduated in Dams (Department of Arts, Music and Entertainment), with full marks, at the University of Calabria, with a thesis on “The Synesthesia in Aleksandr Scriabin and Vasily Kandinsky”. He has several CDs to his credit. The last, with the Quintet for piano and strings, was recorded with the Modus String Quartet. Daniela Roma is artistic director of the cultural association "Alfonso Rendano", of Carolei (Cosenza).
Daniela Roma and the project carried out with six Italian pianists around the world
For several years, Daniela Roma has carried out an intense concert activity in Italy and abroad, with performances on the Calabrian composer Alfonso Rendano. During the quarantine period that has just ended, Daniela has organized a beautiful project: "A journey ... through the notes of Alfonso Rendano". In it he involved others six Italian pianists in the world: Roberto Galletto (Fano), Paola Del Negro (Bloomington), Costantino Catena (Sicignano degli Alburni), Maria Perrotta (Paris), Giuseppe Maiorca (Rende) and Francesca Durante (Fano). Each of them, in their own home, performed some pieces by the well-known Calabrian composer, "with the hope - as the pianist herself says - to give a bit of lightheartedness through music."
Daniela Roma and the virtual journey on the notes of the Calabrian composer
“In the sad moment that the world is experiencing - explains Daniela - not being able to travel in real life, she thought of doing it through music”. It is a virtual journey on the notes of Alfonso Rendano to whom she is very attached and whose music she has been divulging for years through his concerts and his recordings. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Attilio and Elena Giuliani Foundation and the “Consentia Itinera” Museum, which are located in the prestigious Villa Alfonso Rendano in Cosenza. The video, published as part of the Museum Week (11-18 May 2020 last), is visible on the website: www.villarendano.it. The pianist tells us about this and more in the interview that follows.
Daniela, who or what brought you to live in the United States of America?
«I have always traveled a lot, thanks to music, and, among the many nations I visited, in the end it was Love that decided where I would stop to live. I am learning about the United States and I am happy to find myself in a reality where meritocracy reigns. Like all those born under the sign of Sagittarius, I love art and I love to travel. I'm lucky because my work manages to combine both passions ».
For years, he has been spreading the music of Alfonso Rendano around the world. What has your art transmitted to you?
“For nineteen years now, his music has been featured in my concert programs. Rendano is immediately appreciated and loved when you listen to his compositions, which are absolutely not easy to perform. His music is never banal and obvious: it is descriptive and intimate at the same time, which requires constant sound research. Despite the numerous successes, this composer has always kept alive his Calabrian nature, his attachment to the land of origin. This can also be understood from some of the titles of his compositions such as: “Arietta alla calabrese”, “Chant du paysan”, “Il montanaro calabro”, the “Tarantella”, just to list a few. I believe that this love for the homeland unites us. It is wonderful to be a citizen of the world, but one must never forget one's roots. It is important to always carry them with you ».
What is the message of the video?
«Despite the difficulties faced by this sad period, the music not only does not stop, but also eliminates all distances! The idea was born while playing. Like every day, I sat on the piano and thought I was very lucky to have music in my life. I said to myself: okay, I can't travel at the moment in real life, but thanks to music, in reality, every day I move through different stories and eras. Why not pay homage to a composer to whom I am particularly attached, with a nice virtual journey through his music? ».
Music, therefore, understood as trait d'union between people who are only physically distant. What power does he have over her?
«Music accompanies all my days. It is a necessity for me, it is part of my being and I could never think of a life without the piano: it is a wealth and a certainty. Being the mother of a child of almost 4 years, I must admit that it is not easy to take the time to study but, fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who helps me a lot. Music requires in-depth study and continuous research ».
How was your love for the piano born?
«Above all I have to thank my father who transmitted to me the love for art in general. As for the piano, when I was 4, my dad, who was a professor of Archeology at the University of Calabria, often took me to his department, where there was an upright piano. I would start "strumming" and forcing everyone to listen to me. So, my parents took me to take piano lessons and I never stopped ».
How does it feel to perform in the most famous theaters in the world?
"It's wonderful. Music is sharing and it is a great privilege to be able to be the intermediary, the filter through which the great masterpieces of piano literature reach those who listen to us, also charged with my emotions ».
Do you ever think of Calabria and a possible return?
«Calabria, and in particular Cosenza, are always in my heart. I come back to visit my family every year, and it's great to see friends and all the places that have accompanied my growth. For now I don't think about a possible return, maybe in the future, who knows ».
What is the sweetest memory you keep from your childhood in Calabria?
"Surely that of the splendid moments spent with grandparents and the rest of the family in Castroregio, a village 800 meters above the sea, from which you can admire a breathtaking view".
Photo Daniela Roma Official Page
