Shrouded in historic gardens, Vaucluse House feels cut off from the outside world and its troubles – the perfect place for an eclectic collection of intimate concerts. Sydney Festival’s Salon Season is just that. Following on from their performance with Melbourne Digital Concert Hall last year, pianist and composer Daniel Rojas collaborated once again with Ensemble Apex Strings – Anna Da Silva Chen (Violin I), Emily Beauchamp (Violin II), Sophie Nickel (Viola), and Noah Oshiro (Cello) – to perform a fusion of music from Latin America in a more classical chamber music context. It was an hour of musical escapism at its finest.

Daniel Rojas performing at the Sydney Festival. Photo © Yaya Stempler

Rojas is a master of his craft, both as a pianist and composer. He played with exuberance and a clear love of the style throughout the evening. His compositions in the program presented an affecting marriage of old styles and new musical ideas. A particular highlight of his output was the piece Navegar. Filled with lush harmonies, the piece (described as a slower tango) was a more gentle addition to the evening, making beautiful use of the full...