It is always fun to work with talented young musicians!

Renowned Pianist Rueibin Chen Calls for Taiwan to Use Arts for Diplomacy

Interview by The News Lens November 2016

“He plays with white-hot energy, steel-fingered, power and athletic virtuosity…has impetuosity and undeniably impressive technique.” – The Boston Globe.
“He mesmerized the audience as his fingers traveled the ivories with at times mind-boggling precision and swiftness and a level of emotion which delivered each note, each chord, to the heart of each member of the audience.” – The Times.

These are just two examples of the praise world-renowned Taiwanese pianist Rueibin Chen (陳瑞斌) has received during his career as a concert pianist.
As late Russian pianist Lazar Berman’s only disciple of Asian descent, Chen has toured all over the world, performing in major concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Sydney Opera House and the Hong Kong Cultural Center to name a few.

He was invited to be the opening soloist in the 2010 World Expo in China, and in 2014 was invited to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the biggest outdoor venue in the U.S. In the same year, Chen was also the only piano soloist invited to perform during the Beijing International Film Festival ceremonies.

But while the pianist has been applauded for his talent and success, in an interview with The News Lens International, Chen stresses the lack of attention the Taiwanese government has given to cultivating arts and culture over the past decades.

“The classical music culture in Taiwan took-off later [than other countries], mostly because government policies didn’t provide support for musicians,” said Chen. “Musicians were all on their own.”

At the age of 13, Chen was selected by the Taiwanese government in a national talent search and was sent to Vienna, Austria, where studied at the Vienna Conservatory. However, the pianist says that other than a passport, the government did not offer any other support.

“My family supported me financially until I was 16, but after that I had to find ways to provide for myself,” says Chen.

Through entering and winning competitions, the pianist was able to live off prize money and, in the process, gradually made a name for himself. But Chen says he noticed at these competitions, contestants from China were usually accompanied by government officials.

Though the pianist has not been supported by the Taiwanese government, he has been striving to introduce Taiwanese and Chinese cultures overseas through the way he is most familiar with – music.

Chen says he is able to connect with the mainstream audience because of the long time he has spent overseas, and since 2013, Chen has been performing rearrangements of well-known Taiwanese and Chinese melodies around the world. The performances are a collaboration of piano and traditional Chinese musical instruments, such as the erhu (二胡), gaohu (高胡) and dizi (笛子), and Chen calls the series, “East meets West.”

“I brought the ‘Love River Concerto’ to the Lincoln Center in New York, Sydney Opera House and Hong Kong Cultural Center,” says Chen. “But all this had nothing to do with the [Taiwan] government. It was all me.”

The pianist plans to continue playing the “East meets West” performances and has already been invited by various festivals in Europe to do so. Chen also holds masterclasses in Asia to pass down his skills, with the latest one to be held in Hong Kong on Nov. 27.

But he says the Taiwanese government should also think more about how it can reach out to more audiences through the arts and culture, noting that it can collaborate with artists and musicians who are already performing on international stages, because “we are the front-line performers.”

“Music has no language boundaries, so it can actually be used for a lot of cultural or diplomatic exchange, including across the [Taiwan] Strait,” says Chen. “It’s the best soft power.”

https://youtu.be/KA34l2dJSeU

若手音楽家を世界の舞台へ 台湾の有名ピアニストの思い

Interview by The Central News Agency

16 Nov , 2016

（中央社）台湾で生まれ、国際的に活躍するピアニストのチェン・ルイビン（陳瑞斌）さん。チェンさんは近年、演奏団の創設や講座の開催などを通じ、台湾の若手音楽家を世界の舞台に羽ばたかせようと努力を続けている。チェンさんは今後の台湾の音楽振興政策のあり方について中央社に語った。 

「音楽の振興は文化部だけに頼ってはいけない」。制度化された、多部門連携での政策によってのみ、文化を発展させられるとチェンさんは力説する。教育部の児童に対する芸術教育から音楽団体への寄附に対する財政部の税額控除など、改善の余地は大いにあるという。 

設備面についても意見を述べたチェンさん。70～80台のピアノが大学や地方自治体の文化センターに放置されていることを例に挙げ、台湾はハード面では高水準にある一方、市場を広げる良い政策がなく、音楽家の演奏機会が不足していると苦言を呈した。 

チェンさんは、音楽施設や芸術センターの運営において、フランスを参考にするほか、観客に定期的に会場に足を運んでもらえるよう、シーズンチケットの販売など長期的な取り組みを行うべきだと提案した。 

来年もスケジュールはびっしりだと笑うチェンさん。南部の屏東や嘉義で演奏を行うほか、米国やスペイン、コスタリア、ポーランドなどでも演奏会を開く予定だという。 

Comprehensive policy needed to sustain cultural development: pianist

Interview by The Central News Agency

14 Nov , 2016

Taiwan needs to have a more comprehensive government policy and better operation models for art institutes to promote culture and make it sustainable, a renowned Taiwanese artist told CNA recently.

Chen Rueibin (陳瑞斌), who has won 18 medals in various international piano competitions and performs worldwide, said a government-led, cross-department cultural policy is needed to make art thrive.

Taiwan is not short of top-level facilities but lacks a wholesome market to promote, for example, music, Chen said.

There are nearly 80 Steinway pianos in cultural centers and universities across Taiwan lying unused, because there are not enough concerts for pianists, Chen said.

"Promoting music is not the sole responsibility of the Culture Ministry," Chen said, stressing that it should involve other government agencies, including the Education Ministry.

The cultivation of a sense of appreciation of art and music should start at an early age, Chen said.

Local opera houses or music halls should also adopt more competitive business models, Chen said, suggesting that they could introduce season tickets, as is common practice in some foreign countries.

That way, audiences are more likely to develop long-term commitment to the art programs institutes have to offer instead of losing their interest after watching just one performance, he said.

Rueibin Chen 陳瑞斌 ,The Yellow River Piano Concerto 黃河鋼琴協奏曲

Recent performance of the iconic Yellow River Concerto-live broadcasted on Yahoo! I performed this first in HongKong, Tianjin then Shanghai at the World Expo and in US w the amazing Los Angeles Philharmonic w/15K audience at the Hollywood Bowl. Hope you enjoy! Oh ... in case you are wondering ... it's orchestrated for western instruments only or with Chinese traditional instruments 😀


Rueibin Chen 陳瑞斌 The Yellow River Piano Concerto 黃河鋼琴協奏曲

I. 黃河船夫曲 Yellow River Boatman's Song 
II. 黃河頌 Ode to the Yellow River 
III. 黃河憤 The Wrath of the Yellow River 
Iv. 保衛黃河 Defend the Yellow River 


https://youtu.be/0u8lwD2bBfcj

masterclass in HK!

I look forward to sharing my musical journey growing up in Austria and experience from winning medals at the Chopin,Rubinstein and Rachmaninoff International Piano Competitions at the upcoming masterclass in HK!

Concert pianist Rueibin Chen 陳瑞斌 - Love River Piano Concerto 愛河鋼琴協奏曲 ( World Premiere)

World premiere of the Love River Piano Concerto - Piano X Traditional Chinese instruments


http://youtu.be/ohCW-pgTo6E

The Hakka Musical Epic "Cold Night Trilogy "Piano Concerto ,Pianist Rueibin Chen 陳瑞斌( World Premiere)

I ❤️to premiere new concertos! Piano X Chinese Orchestra 

The Hakka Musical Epic "Cold Night Trilogy " 
Piano Concerto ( World Premiere)

Writers Joe Lee wrote river novel "Cold Night Trilogy" has been made into a TV series of Hakka 



http://youtu.be/4P40IGpMha8

East meets West!

I founded the L’Ensemble du Ciel - a crossover Piano X Chinese instruments chamber orchestra to perform traditional repertoire and premiere of new works . Share if you ❤️East meets West!

Pianist Rueibin Chen 陳瑞斌 Strikes a Chord with World Audience (Intervie...

 Interview by Taiwan Outlook 英文專訪 May 06, 2016

Taiwanese Pianist Strikes a Chord with World Audience From Classical to contemporary music, there are many talented artists in Taiwan or from Taiwan. On this edition of Taiwan Outlook, Mr. Rueibin Chen, who has received many piano recognitions, shares his experience of performing in front of business and government leaders at leading concert halls around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGExgUaRrYM

Really enjoyed dinner with the magnificent Ms Renée Fleming a few days ago.

When I first arrived in #Vienna alone at 13; I spoke no German. Went to#opera every week as it was the only common language and it gave me great solace...Really enjoyed dinner with the magnificent Ms Renée Fleming a few days ago.

Concert Pianist Rueibin Chen О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана , II ( Russian Interview)

Concert  Pianist Rueibin Chen  

О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана , II ( Russian Interview)

Russian Interview by RTI 

Sep. , 2016 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODGyBJvtwU

О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана,

продолжение рассказа о тайваньском пианисте Чэнь Жуй-бине, а также интервью с ним. Чэнь был единственным из стран Азии учеником легендарного пианиста советской эпохи Лазаря Бермана.

Из передачи вы узнаете, как тайваньский пианист, под руководством Лазаря Бермана, нашел свой музыкальный язык. Вы узнаете также о том, как непростые отношения между двумя берегами Тайваньского пролива могут оказывать влияние на профессиональную деятельность тайваньских музыкантов и какие музыкальные мероприятия Чэнь Жуй-бинь устраивал для оказания помощи людям с ограниченными возможностями и пострадавшим от стихийных и антропогенных бедствий.

Concert pianist Rueibin Chen - О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана , (Russian Interview I )

Concert pianist Rueibin Chen 

О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана  ( I )

Russian Interview by RTI 

August , 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gitGAHqvuMA

О тайваньском ученике Лазаря Бермана

 рассказ об одном из тайваньских пианистов с международной известностью Чэнь Жуй-бине, а также интервью с ним.

Чэнь Жуй-бинь был единственным из стран Азии учеником Лазаря Бермана – легендарного пианиста советской эпохи. В интервью тайваньский пианист рассказывает о том, как он начал учиться у Лазаря Бермана и как происходило общение между ними.

В передаче звучат произведения Рахманинова в исполнении Чэнь Жуй-биня.

Rueibin Chen Live Performance at NPCA Beijing - Reported by CCTV

Rueibin Chen Live Performance at NPCA Beijing 

陳瑞斌北京國家大劇院與國交現場演奏 (中央電視台報導)

With the China National Symphony,

Live Performance at the National Centre for the Arts Beijing,

Reported by CCTV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6M9M7eV_x0

Pianist Rueibin Chen Strikes a Chord with World Audience ( English Interview by Taiwan Outlook)

 English Interview by Taiwan Outlook 

 May 06, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGExgUaRrYM

From Classical to contemporary music, there are many talented artists in Taiwan or from Taiwan. On this edition of Taiwan Outlook, Mr. Rueibin Chen, who has received many piano recognitions, shares his experience of performing in front of business and government leaders at leading concert halls around the world.

I've always cherished working with Maestro Antony Wit and l'm ecstatic we'll be once again collaborating together in Europe !

More details to come!

Secrets to a good concert

Rehearsal with Taipei Chinese Orchestra for June 4th Concert .

  

Rehearsal with Taipei Chinese Orchestra for June 4th Concert . 

6月4日台北傳統藝術季音樂會演奏 & 黃河鋼琴協奏曲&彩排中

will perform the Yellow River Piano Concerto at the traditional Festival of the Arts in Taipei on June 4th ,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elP6NmmYXqA

Performance with the LA Phil. at the Hollywood Bowl

Very honoured to be in the company of one of my childhood idol who inspired me to be a professional musician

Had a wonderful time with the patrons and audience of the Philharmonic Society!

Full House at Xinying Cultural Center, Taiwan

Entrevista al pianista concertista Rueibin Chen ,The Spanish interview by RTI

Entrevista al pianista concertista Rueibin Chen 

The Spanish interview by RTI 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtuCkAvijmw

La Brújula ha tenido el honor de realizar una entrevista exclusiva al pianista concertista taiwanés Rueibin Chen . En el siguiente programa el pianista Chen comparte con todos nosotros sus inicios y su desarrollo como pianista de una carrera profesional tan apasionante como llena de retos.

Sus habilidades innatas, sumadas a años de esfuerzo y perseverancia, además de una excelente formación recibida a manos de maestros del piano, han hecho de él un concertista de reconocimiento internacional.

Todo esto y mucho más, aquí en La Brújula.

Más información en su web oficial:
http://www.rueibinchen.com/bio_sp.html

(La música emitida en el programa ha sido interpretada y compartida por Rueibin Chen, con fragmentos de los conciertos n.2, n.4 y Liebesfreud de Rajmaninov, el concierto n.1 de Liszt y Love River)

Concert at the Xinying Cultural Center in Tainan, Taiwan , April 29

Concert at the Xinying Cultural Center in Tainan, Taiwan , April 29

Having fun with this piano made in 1886! The year Liszt passed away.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day?

How did you spend your Valentine's Day? I was very honored to spend the evening with a few hundred music lovers at the Bowers Museum - One of the Top Ten museums in the US according to National Geographic.

I gave a short speech before the performance.

Recently a powerful earthquake struck southern Taiwan. The area that's most damaged is Yunkan District of Tainan City. Many victims were buried under the collapsed buildings. The death toll has reached more than 100 people. And many homes are destroyed. Yunkan is where I was born and grew up, until the age of 13, when I left Taiwan to go to Vienna to study music. The earthquake victims and their families are my hometown people. Next I would like to play the pieces for them. It is Scriabin's prelude and Nocturne for Left Hand. Scriabin suffered from depression all his life, but he didn't give up and still wrote great music. I choose to play Scriabin's work for my hometown people, to encourage them not to give up, and my heart prays for them. I hope you will enjoy this piece, and will pray for the earthquake victims also.

EXCLUSIVE MASTERCLASS WITH RUEIBIN CHEN

EXCLUSIVE MASTERCLASS WITH RUEIBIN CHEN

Music Performances

The Bowers Museum is proud to offer special back-to-back 25- and 50-minute Master Class sessions for piano students with renowned classical pianist Rueibin Chen. He will work with students of varying ages towards technical and artistic mastery of the piano. Guests can enjoy the beautiful sounds and learn a thing or two as well! 

Learn more about the distinguished pianist here: http://www.rueibinchen.com/bio.html 

Location: Kershaw Auditorium

https://www.bowers.org/index.php/programs/event/128-exclusive-masterclass-with-rueibin-chen

Taiwan - Austrian's renowned concert pianist Rueibin Chen (Interview by RTI )

 Taiwan - Austrian's renowned concert pianist Rueibin Chen  (Interview by RTI )

 Interview by RTI , Jan 10, 2016

Have a listen to his thoughts and feelings as pupil of the late legendary Russian pianist, Lazar Berman and performing with top orchestras and in top venues around the world .

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxtzIBdTiOw

Der Taiwanische -Oesterreichische Pianist Rueibin Chen ( Interview by RTI)

Der Taiwanische -Oesterreichische Pianist 

Rueibin Chen  ( Interview by RTI ) 

 Jan 11, 2016

Der Taiwanische - Oesterreichische Pianist Rueibin Chen

Interview by RTI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXOrZ6SWroU

Der taiwanischen Starpianist Rueibin Chen studierte bereits mit 13 Jahren am Konservatorium Wien Musik und lernte später vom russischen Pianisten Lazar Berman. Heute spielt Herr Chen auf der ganzen Welt Klavierkonzerte. Mittlerweile auch mit seinem eigenen Ensemble mit chinesischen Instrumenten. Wir sprachen mit Herrn Chen über sein Leben und seine Musik.

Anmerkung: Herr Chen hat uns auf einen Versprecher bei Minute 2:11 hingewiesen: Der Schulkollege Rachmaninoffs war Lazar Bermans Lehrer, nicht Lazar Berman selbst.

First Taiwanese Pianist performs at America's biggest outdoor venue

Rueibin Chen plays at Hollywood Bowl

Interview by The China Post , 

July 16, 2014