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. 

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 
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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

2017 Chiayi Arts Festival

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.