Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Taiwan’s ‘Russian soul’




    Chen Ruei-bin poses for a promotional photo of his Dreams and Passion Concert.


Chen performs last year at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Southern California.



Taiwan’s ‘Russian soul’


Interviewed by Taipei Times 
Oct. 10 2017

Pianist Chen Ruei-bin talks to the ‘Taipei Times’ about the 2014 earthquake that devastated parts of Tainan, growing up in Europe and his passion for Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin


Chen Ruei-bin (陳瑞斌) doesn’t get stage fright, but as the concert pianist enters the 3,000-seat performance space in Los Angeles he’s shaking with anxiety. He sits at the piano, straightens himself, pauses and begins to play.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake had just hit southern Taiwan, devastating much of his home neighborhood of Yongkang District (永康).
“I was in the air when it happened,” he recalls. “I only found out after landing in LA.”
As he begins to play, he still has no word of his family’s whereabouts. Many in the audience were aware of the situation.
Chen’s ability to persevere under intense pressure is a reason why he is one of the world’s most sought after pianists.
After Chen finishes his final piece, the crowd erupts in a roar.
“It was the most touching ovation I’d ever received,” he says.
SOUTHERN BOY
Born to music teachers, Chen grew up in a school staff dormitory: a little Japanese-style house built on short wooden stilts with cats chasing mice under floorboards.
Chen spent much of his childhood at the family piano — a third-hand ivory-keyed 140-year old relic bought from a doctor.
Chen was destined for the stage. After making his debut with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra at age 10, he was sent to Austria to study at the Vienna Conservatory at 13, leaving his family behind in Tainan.
Unable to speak German, he says he barely left the comfort of his piano chair for those first months.
RUSSIAN MASTER
Chen was trained by Lazar Berman, one of the greats of the Russian romantic tradition, who only took on a handful of students, Chen being the only non-European among them. As a former KGB officer, Berman was barred from performing in the West for much of the Cold War.
“He was incredibly strict,” Chen says. “If you didn’t play exactly as he told you to, he’d just get up, walk away and stop teaching you. You had to learn to endure his wrath.”
Chen says Berman calls this the “Russian soul,” a tragic musical outlook that accepts no compromise.
Having lived through World War II and the Cold War, Chen believes it was the brutality and hardship his teacher had experienced that connected him on such a deep emotional level to music.
“Understanding his story and how he related his life to music was the greatest thing I learned from him,” he says.
It takes 20 or 30 years of playing pieces from masters such as Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin to fully comprehend the meaning of their work. Chen says this immense undertaking is compounded by other factors such as historical context, the composer’s personal life and its cultural and philosophical milieu.
“I can feel the weight of history on my shoulders as I play,” Chen says.
MUSICAL HEALING
To honor the victims of the earthquake, Chen performed Scriabin’s Nocturn for the Left Hand in April of last year. Thankfully, he didn’t have to play at his parents funeral because they survived the earthquake.
“Scriabin suffered from depression,” Chen says, “You can feel his sorrow in his music.”
Scriabin’s music resonates with those who are in the depths of despair, he says, because it encourages them to keep going.
“Music amplifies people’s emotions,” he chuckles, adding that it has to have a greater purpose.
Active in numerous charities, he offers free tickets for families with disabled children to his concerts.
“Whether it’s making music or doing volunteer work, I want to leave behind as much as I can for this world.”




Pianist Rueibin Chen to perform in Taipei



Pianist Rueibin Chen to perform in Taipei   

Report by Central News Agency 

 2017/09/26 

Taipei, Sept. 26 (CNA) Taiwanese-Austrian pianist Rueibin Chen (陳瑞斌) will give a concert in Taipei, performing pieces from the works of Schubert, Scriabin, Tcherepnin and other famous composers.

The program will include Italian composer Ottorino Respighi's "Nocturne;" Schubert's "Liszt: Serenade" and "Liszt: Ave Maria;" and Beethoven's Piano Sonata in F minor, Op.57 ("Appassionata").

Chen will also perform the music of Russian composers Alexander Tcherepnin and Alexander Scriabin, including "Punch and Judy;" "Shadow Play;" Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op.9; and Etude Op. 8 No. 11 and No. 12.

Chen said Tuesday he has put together a diverse program because he wants to introduce a variety of pieces to classical music fans in Taiwan.

He said he chose pieces from Tcherepnin because of the composer's deep connections with the Chinese community.

Not only was Tcherepnin married to a Chinese pianist, but two of his students Chiang Wen-yeh (
江文也) and He Luting (賀綠汀) were from Taiwan and China, respectively, and were major influences on the classical music scene in their respective countries, Chen noted.

Meanwhile, Scriabin's Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op.9, are pieces that have a special place in his heart, Chen said.

Scriabin composed the two pieces at time when his right hand was injured, Chen noted.

"But he never gave up, even if he could only play with one hand," said Chen, adding that he also sustained injuries in the past and was inspired by Scriabin's spirit.

At the Taipei concert in October, Chen said, he will take up the challenge of playing the two pieces with only his left hand.
Chen began playing piano at the age of five, with his father as his teacher, and eventually went on to study under the late revered Russian pianist Lazar Berman.

He was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the Republic of China in 2004 and performed at the opening ceremony of Shanghai's World Expo in 2010.

In 2014, Chen performed the "Yellow River Piano Concerto" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, a large outdoor venue.

That year, he also became the first piano soloist to perform during the inaugural season of the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. 

Monday, October 9, 2017

Pianist Rueibin Chen to give Taipei concert in October


       


  Reported by Taiwan News
   2017/09/29
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese-Austrian pianist Rueibin Chen (陳瑞斌) is giving a piano recital at the National Concert Hall, for which he will not only perform prominent works from Schubert and Beethoven, but also premiere three pieces with the hope of bringing something fresh to the music-goers in Taiwan.
As the title of his concert, “Dreams & Passion” suggests, Chen was beaming with enthusiasm when talking about his career as a musician and the program he had prepared for Taiwanese fans.
Although Chen has spent many years touring around the world, he said he felt most stressed to perform in his hometown.
“Taiwanese fans know my performances very well, they can easily name a piece I have played at a particular concert a long time ago,” said Chen.
For the upcoming concert, Chen will play some of his favorite selections by Schubert and Beethoven, including the transcribed versions of Schubert’s Serenade and “Ave Maria” by Franz Liszt, and Beethoven’s "Sonata no. 23 in F minor 'Appassionata', Op. 57".
Apart from the well-known pieces that music fans may be familiar with, Chen has also prepared three works to premiere, including “Nocturne” by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, and “Punch and Judy” and “Shadow Play” by Russian composer Alexander Tcherepnin.
“As a musician, I feel obliged to share a diverse repertoire of great works with people in Taiwan, that may also be beneficial to the cultivation of the younger generations,” said Chen.
In terms of Tcherepnin, Chen said the two pieces he would be playing demonstrate the composer’s sources of inspiration in Asian culture, particularly because he was married to a Chinese pianist.
In addition, Tcherepnin was the teacher of Jiang Wen-Ye (江文也) and He Luting (賀綠汀), both of whom had great influence on the classical musicians of subsequent generations in their respective countries, Taiwan and China, said Chen.
Chen also said he was set to perform two of Scriabin’s pieces with only his left hand, for the composer had produced them with a single hand during the time when his right hand had been injured.
Chen started his piano study with his father at the age of five, and at 13, he left for Vienna on his own to pursue the dream of becoming a musician.
Over the years, Chen has received dozens of international music awards and has been invited to perform for a variety of major events across the globe, including the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The pianist is set to perform prominent works from Schubert and Beethoven, and premiere three pieces to bring a new experience to Taiwanese fans.

Young Russian American pianist played Liszt beautifully!


Young Russian American pianist played Liszt beautifully! Brought back fond memories of my student days with Lazar Berman! #masterclass#Liszt 

What do you consider as the most difficult piano repertoire? Learn from concert pianist Rueibin




What do you consider as the most difficult piano repertoire? Learn from concert pianist Rueibin Chen who has performed with the LA Phil and Pacific Symphony 
9/16/17 One-on-one 🎹 Masterclass 
9/17/17 Piano teachers workshop
See you in Southern California!

Dreams and Passion - Solo Recital at the National Concert Hall - World Tour Premiere





"MUST SEE event fall 2017"
Dreams and Passion - Solo Recital at the National Concert Hall - World Tour Premiere

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

2017 Chiayi Arts Festival


Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Rueibin Chen to bring music to Chiayi City Concert Hall





Interview by Taiwan News 
2017/06/13

Rueibin Chen to bring music to Chiayi City Concert Hall

Internationally renowned Taiwan-born Austrian pianist Rueibin Chen will perform on the evening of June 24 at Chiayi City Concert Hall for the Chaiyi Arts Festival, with some pieces specially played for the very first time in Taiwan.
As the late Russian pianist Lazar Berman’s only disciple of Asian descent, Chen has a reputation for brilliant technique and intense artistic expression, as well as having an expertise on the works of Russian composers. This time, Chen will perform renowned classic piano works from Russian-born composer and pianist, A.Tcherepnin, including “Punch and Judy” and “Shadow Play.”
Chen Ruei-bin received his first piano lessons from his father at the age of five, practicing on an old piano in their living room, which he described “now must be a hundred years old.”
At the age of 13, Chen was selected by the Taiwanese government in a national talent search and was sent to Vienna, Austria, the first time he ever stepped onto an airliner – to begin his formal education in music. However, the pianist says that other than a passport, the government did not offer any other support.
Chen has performed in major concert halls all over the world such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Sydney Opera House and the Hong Kong Cultural Center etc.
Asked which concert impressed him the most, Chen relates an experience in Russia, how once a man came to him with tears after the performance, which he later learned from the translator that the man was so touched by his music, saying that he couldn’t believe how a Chinese-Austrian pianist can interpret the works of Russian composer perfectly, and it was like they speak the same language, the language of music.
In between concert engagements, Chen has also ventured into compositions of new music with East West elements in recent years which will be part of a series of new recordings.




2017 Chiayi Arts Festival



2017 Chiayi Arts Festival
looking forward to hiking in the beautiful #Alishan after the concert! 

Southern International Music Festival Rueibin Chen & Friends Concert




















Southern International Music Festival
Rueibin Chen & Friends Concert

Great opening concert at brand new concert hall with incredible acoustics!
 Premiering new repertoire
屏東演藝廳音樂廳 2017/04/29 7:30pm






Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Musical Journey of Classical Pianist Rueibin Chen

 Musical Journey of Classical Pianist Rueibin Chen


This video shares some of Rueibin’s performances through the years, and contains excerpts from interviews where he recollects his musical journey and experiences from childhood, and also talks about his current visions. Hope you like the video.


Chinese New Year Broadcast -with 100 million viewers in the world. Classical meets Pop


. ❤️Classical + Pop






Very excited to collaborate with pop-star Hacken Lee again! This time is for the famous Chinese New Year Broadcast viewed by tens of millions across China to celebrate the Year of 🐔. Hope u enjoy the link below to the piece we did together a few years ago. ❤️Classical + Pop

Q&A – RUEIBIN CHEN | PIANIST: ‘MUSIC IS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES’


INTERVIEW BY MACAU DAILY TIMES 
澳門每日時報專訪   Dec.7, 2016



      I 

Política comprensiva necesaria para sostener desarrollo cultural

  Interview by The Central News Agency 2016/12
           
Taiwán necesita una política gubernamental más comprensiva y mejores modelos de operaciones para que los institutos culturales promuevan la cultura y lo haga sostenible, dijo recientemente un famoso artista taiwanés.

Chen Rueibin, quien ha ganado 18 medallas en varios concursos de piano internacionales y realiza actuaciones alrededor del mundo, dijo a la CNA que se necesitaba una política cultural interministerial para prosperar el desarrollo cultural.
A Taiwán no le faltan instalaciones de máximo nivel, lo que falta es un mercado para promover la música, opinó Chen.
Hay cerca de 80 pianos Steinway que están sin uso en los diversos centros culturales y universidades alrededor del país, debido a que no hay suficientes conciertos para los pianistas, añadió Chen.
"El promover la música no es sólo la responsabilidad del Ministerio de Cultura", indicó Chen, puntualizando que se deberá involucrar a otras agencias gubernamentales, incluyendo el Ministerio de Educación.
El cultivo de un sentido de apreciación del arte y la música debe empezar a temprana edad, dijo Chen.
Las casas de ópera y salas de música locales deberán también adoptar modelos comerciales más competitivos, dijo Chen, sugiriendo que las mismas pudieran introducir la venta de boletos de temporada, que es una práctica común en algunos países extranjeros.
De esta manera, los telespectadores。 posiblemente podrán desarrollar un interés a largo plazo hacia estos programas artísticos.