Interview with Pianist Marina Grozdanovic

One of the joys of being the executive director of The Athena Foundation for the Arts is the gift of connecting with fantastic classical musicians from around the world to our backyard.

Back in September of 2023, I was pleased to receive an introductory email from internationally acclaimed pianist, Marina Grozdanovic. Her impressive bio and performance videos warranted a Zoom meeting. It was a pleasure talking with Marina on Zoom. Her warm personality and passion for performing great classical piano music made Marina a natural fit for Athena’s concert series. As the 2024 concert series had already been booked, we were able to confirm her for Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Marina Grozdanovic

Marina has crafted a fantastic program of piano solos paired with gorgeous fine art that compliment each piece.

Before each concert, it is our tradition to introduce our guest musicians and learn the story behind their upcoming program. We hope you enjoy our interview with maestro pianist Marina Grozdanovic as she reveals her story.

LRW: Marina, it’s a privilege to have you perform in The Athena Foundation for the Arts 2025 Spring Concert Season. Thank you for agreeing to this interview about your incredible program. Before we begin, would you kindly share how you discovered The Athena Foundation for the Arts?

MG: I think that we artists have an honor and a duty to share this knowledge, love, and beauty of our art. We are here to touch as many hearts as possible, and only then is our art complete and our mission accomplished. Therefore, I am always looking for opportunities to perform and share my music with different audiences. I heard about The Athena Foundation for the Arts from my fellow musicians, who kindly recommended it to me. It truly warmed my heart to find out what wonderful work your foundation is doing in promoting arts in our community.

LRW: That is a beautiful mission. I’m honored to have Athena recommended by fellow musicians. Thank you for the kind words, Marina. It’s a pleasure and a privilege. For your upcoming Athena program, would you kindly share with our readers, how did you choose the pieces curated for the concert? Why these composers? Why now?

MG: It all started with Baroque music. I love this period, and I think there are many pieces composed then that are not often played. Although I worship and often play composers such as Bach, Handel, or Scarlatti, whose compositions for the keyboard are magnificent, I wanted to find pieces that deserve to be heard more often in the concert repertoire these days. Therefore, I decided to explore French Baroque music. What a treasure chest I have found! As I dug deeper, I became enchanted with the idea of taking a journey through France by exploring music composed in France from the Baroque until the Impressionist era. It was almost like time travel through one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, which enriched our world with its beautiful art and culture. Composers whose works I will be performing lived and created these masterpieces in France, and their compositions reflect the sophistication of the culture in which they thrived. I am hoping to take your audience on this journey with me.

LRW: Fabulous! I’m a champion of lesser-known composers and having their works performed. We look forward to your program and the journey it will take us on. Could you provide a hint about the imagery chosen? How did you determine which image to pair with each piece?

MG: I believe that music is the language of emotion. Through every piece I play, I try to convey the story that would make listeners feel as though they are living in it. When I was choosing the images for this program, I didn’t only think of what they looked like, but more about what they made me feel and how they reflect the story I am about to share through my music. Some of the images are works of French painters or photographers, but not all. Humanity in all of us breaks down every border and brings the world together as one. We all feel the same. Art can deeply affect us regardless of the culture it comes from.

LRW: As an art teacher, I heartily agree. The audience is in for a real treat. May I ask, do you happen to have plans to record your stunning solos?

MG: Yes, I do! You read my mind. I think this program takes the listener on a truly unique journey, and it requires me to record it and share it with others who can’t hear it live. Having said that, I must admit I believe that there’s nothing that can be as authentic and exciting as hearing the performance live.

LRW: Very exciting. A blog on your recording’s release might be in order when it’s completed. Now, it is an Athena tradition at the end of an interview to ask our guest, do you happen to have a favorite quote by a composer or musician you’d like to share with our readers?

MG: My favorite quote is by Friedrich Nietzsche. It certainly reflects my personal view of the importance of music and the effect it has on all of our lives.
Without music, life would be a mistake ~ Friedrich Nietzsche Share on X

LRW: Thank you for this inspiration. We are excited for your concert with immersive imagery.

To learn more about this piano maestro, check out her website and follow her on social media.
Website
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Join us at the concert and meet her in person. Here are the concert details. Hope to see you then!

CONCERT DETAILS:

Program Link

Date
Sunday, May 18, 2025

Time
Doors Open: 3:30 PM
Concert: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PDT
Delicious Complimentary Refreshments at Intermission

Place
Community Auditorium
Church of Scientology of the Valley
11455 Burbank Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 91601

Disclaimers:
•The concert is hosted exclusively by The Athena Foundation for the Arts.
•It is Not a church event.
•The Community Auditorium is rented to nonprofits and charitable organizations.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us. Thank you.

FREE Parking: Farmdale Avenue lot and Burbank Boulevard lot across the street and street parking

Tickets
Purchase tickets on Eventbrite here or scan the QR code at the door. Cash or Credit card payments also available.
Questions? Please feel free to email us. Hope you can join us!

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