LOS ANGELES - Rueibin Chen, a Chinese–Austrian born in Taiwan, is an internationally renowned pianist with a reputation for technical brilliance and the ability to combine intense energy with a refined sense of touch to rank him among the best in creative and artistic expression.
The Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung referred to Chen as "One of those geniuses that come along once in 20 years," and the Boston Globe was impressed with his "white-hot energy, steel fingered, powerful, and athletic virtuosity; balanced with delicacy and imagination."
Sponsor: New Tang Dynasty TV
On the seventh of July, New Tang Dynasty TV (NTDTV) sponsored his debut at the world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Walt Disney Concert Hall is magnificent in its creative architectural design without; and its elegant decor, and superb acoustic effects within. Music aficionados and tourists worldwide are strongly attracted to this venue that is a unique focal point in downtown Los Angeles.
An audience of 2000 surrounded the circular stage, with the virtuoso and his piano at center stage.
Clad in a formal black-tailed coat, Mr. Rueibin Chen walked onto the stage and comfortably sat in front of a beautiful, Steinway concert grand piano. His fingers strolled the keys ever so effortlessly in the rendition of Schubert-Liszt's "Serenade".
Every note had its own clear brand of Chen's lucidity and appeared to be heard equally well throughout the music hall. Within a very short period of time the audience was surely captivated, if not mesmerized by his technical brilliance, and then transported into a surreal paradise of musical fantasy.
Chen followed "Serenade" with the following compositions: Beethoven's Fur Elise, and his Sonata in F minor Op. 57< Apassionata > ; Tchaikovsky's The Ballet Suite "Nutcracker" Op. 71a for Piano Solo; and Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22.
Under the control of his gliding fingers and body movements, the piano came alive--with strings of musical notes unlike anything we ever heard. Each note came out lucidly, and was clearly audible, near or far from the stage. His playing has a surreal quality evoked by a seemingly effortless execution.
There is no hint of artificiality, no hint of anything overlooked in his preparation, just a sense that here is a true virtuoso. Rueibin Chen the performer and the essence and intent of the composition became one.
At the end of the recital, the audience's admiration for his artistry was punctuated with waves of thunderous applause. Mr. Chen came out on stage to thank the audience several times.
As the audience continued with their applause and a repeating chorus of "encore," Mr. Chen graciously played three more pieces to conclude the recital.
Comments on Rueibin Chen's perfomance
"I am so glad to be able to listen to such a superb piano recital", said Professor Robert L. Sage, "Mr. Chen is indeed an outstanding pianist. It was an unforgettable night."
The Conductor and Music Director of the Olympia Youth Orchestra Mr. Feng Ho, said, "This performance was great. Very few musicians have the opportunity to perform here in this concert hall. Tonight's recital offered the best example of technical and artistic excellence. The level of performance was very high."
The Chairman of the International Composers' Association, Mr. Melody Sun, said "Tonight I'm deeply moved by Mr. Chen's piano performance. I am very proud of Mr. Chen's achievement as a world-renowned pianist."
"Music lovers filled up this entire concert hall. In his masterful performance, his playing and the essence and intent of all of these compositions often merged into one."
"Whether a mellow piece, or a piece of high intensity, he has an all-encompassing way of playing a beautiful, penetrating, powerful rendition," said Sun.
For more information visit Rueibin Chen's website.