Thursday, March 15, 2012

Learning something new ...

My friends have been helping me post things on my blogs but I am trying to learn how to do it myself. I think playing the piano maybe easier ... So please bear with me as I pick up a new skill and try to become a "blogger".

In addition to a pre-gala private recital, for the main gala, I performed the 18th Variation from Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - otherwise known as the theme song in the movie "Somewhere in Time". I decided on the repertoire prior to knowing who else would be at the Gala. And guess what? Ms. Jane Seymour was the honoree for the evening! What a coincidence!

I will be posting some more pictures from the Gala in the next few days. Hope you will enjoy seeing them. I will be back to LA to perform the entire Rachmaninoff piece with the Pasadena Symphony (the second oldest orchestra in the US) . Hope to see you there!

American Red Cross Gala - at the red carpet with Ms. Jane Seymour

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Arriving at the red carpet for the Red Cross Gala

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Red Cross Inaugural Gala

Red Cross Gala to Feature Actress Jane Seymour and Pianist Rueibin Chen

The evening will be a formal affair evocative of the glamour and mystery of the roaring 1920’s

Actress Jane Seymour and Pianist Rueibin Chen

from STAFF REPORTS
Published: Thursday, February 9, 2012 | 5:51 PM

The American Red Cross San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter is gearing up for its inaugural Gala, “Speakeasy with the Red Cross,” to be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Cravens Estate, 430 Madeline Drive, Pasadena. The night’s festivities include an award presentation by Actress Jane Seymour and entertainment by world-renown pianist, Rueibin Chen and a silent and live auction. The evening will be a formal affair evocative of the glamour and mystery of the roaring 1920’s.

Actress and Red Cross advocate, Jane Seymour, will be the evening’s celebrity honoree. Ms. Seymour has been an active member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet since 2002 and has been instrumental in the campaign to eradicate measles. She has also been an outspoken supporter of American Red Cross relief efforts following the devastating Hurricane of 2004 and the 2010 Earthquake Relief efforts in Haiti. Ms Seymour will be honored with the American Red Cross “Crystal Cross Award,” presented to celebrities who have shown exemplary support of and service to the American Red Cross mission.

A Chinese-Austrian born in Taiwan, Rueibin Chen’s distinguished career has earned him more than a dozen medals in various international piano competitions, a reputation for technical brilliance and the ability to combine intense energy with a refined sense of touch. Mr. Chen has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras around the world; as well as being invited by officials of the 2010 World Expo to be the exclusive opening ceremony performer of the famous ”Yellow River Concerto” in Shanghai. Amongst his many international awards and honors, he was honored by the County Supervisor of Greater Los Angeles County for promoting diplomacy between the United States and Taiwan through music with his solo recital at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to perform at an event supporting an organization as valuable as the American Red Cross,” said Mr. Chen. “Money raised at the event will help deliver disaster preparedness education to the public and assist those who have been affected by disaster.”

A volunteer-led humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Serving more than 85 cities, the Red Cross provides relief for victims of house and apartment fires, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural or man-made disasters — 24 hours a day. Last year, nearly 160,000 people were trained in vital life-saving skills, including CPR and first aid. For more information, please visit http://www.redcrossla.org/.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

San Marino Tribune (2011/08/24)Rueibin Chen and His Mastefrul Pefomance at Disney Concert Hall

San Marino Tribune

Rueibin Chen and His Masterful Performance at Disney Concert Hall

Published 08/24/2011 ⋯⋯ ⋯⋯LOS ANGELES -

Rueibin Chen this past Friday night at Walt Disney Concert Hall performed spectacular renditions of some of the greatest classical songs of all time. The event, sponsored by the Cathay?Bank Foundation headquartered in El Monte, featured the works of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach, Stravinsky (Three Movements from the Ballet Suite) and S. Prokofiev. A highly appreciative audience gave Chen multiple rounds of standing ovations and the reputable pianist treated the crowd to extra songs, despite being visibly fatigued. At one point the musician took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away sweat, cough and catch his breath. After the performance Chen graciously signed autographs and took photographs with his fans, who made no qualms about waiting in a long line for the chance to meet the performer.