Martha Marchena is increasingly acclaimed as one of the most innovative and powerful pianists active today. A rising star of her generation, Marchena gained recognition early in her career for her command of the instrument and artistic insight. Before immigrating to the United States in 1979, she was one of Cuba's most promising pianists, with appearances in Moscow and East Berlin. She graduated with honors from the University of Miami's Doctoral program, where she wrote her dissertation on the piano works of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.

A versatile artist, she has performed as a soloist with orchestras and in chamber music ensembles all over Europe and North and South America. Noted for the originality of her programming, critics have praised the intensity of her interpretations as well as the emotional impact she brings to the audience. David M. Greene, historian and critic, has hailed her playing as "exquisite and breathtaking," remarking on her impressive capability to understand the pieces and bring to life their great emotional range.