Bravo !!! Mighty and fantastic intro...perfect world class play...magic moments all across tune...thank you for sharing with Short Piano Solo...

Benjamin Capps, cello
David Kaplan, piano

Recorded May 30, 2013 at Vermont Public Radio in Colchester, Vermont, as part of Vermont Public Radio and Burlington Ensemble's Beyond Beethoven collaboration.

Recording engineer: John Billingsley


Johannes Brahms: Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38

Edvard Grieg - Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - II. Aase's Death

The single best piece of classical music ever composed.

Bach - Cello Suite No1 in G Major (Prelude)

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a thrilling journey into the musical world of Charles-Valentin Alkan. In the capable hands of our piano virtuoso Archie Chen, we will explore the enigmatic and captivating world of this once-renowned composer. It was only last year, on November 30th, when the world celebrated Alkan's 200th birthday. Though he may have been somewhat forgotten, we are here to shine a light on his exceptional talent.

Charles-Valentin Alkan was a contemporary, friend, and colleague of the musical greats such as Chopin and Liszt. Despite his early successes, Alkan eventually faded into obscurity, retreating from public life due to a series of personal events. He was known to be an introverted character, with a penchant for both the peculiar and the dramatic. Alkan's untimely demise in 1888 is said to have been caused by a falling bookcase – a tale that, if true, would indeed be one of the most improbable in musical history.

But let us return to the music. Alkan's compositions are notorious for their technical demands and complexity, making them accessible only to the most talented virtuosos. Enter Archie Chen, our fearless pianist, who will masterfully navigate the intricate depths of Alkan's "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12. This lively and engaging piece is a set of 25 variations on an original theme, providing ample opportunity for Archie to showcase his dazzling technical prowess.

The theme of "Le festin d'Ésope" bears a striking resemblance to a Hasidic melody, yet it also contains traces of more familiar tunes. There are those who believe that each variation represents an animal from an Aesop fable, while others argue that the title refers to a feast recounted in an apocryphal life of Aesop. Whichever interpretation you prefer, there is no doubt that the piece is brimming with wit, humor, and virtuosity.

Archie Chen's performance of this intricate work will not only allow us to appreciate Alkan's genius but also demonstrate the pianist's own remarkable talent. As you listen to Archie's interpretation, you will find yourself immersed in a musical narrative that tells of the enchanting, mysterious, and at times mischievous world of Charles-Valentin Alkan.

So sit back, relax, and allow Archie Chen to guide you on this captivating exploration of Alkan's "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12. With his exceptional virtuosity and a healthy dose of humor, Archie will breathe new life into the music of this enigmatic composer, proving once and for all that the legacy of Charles-Valentin Alkan is alive and well.

Live from the Hugh Lane Gallery on August 4th, 2013 as part of the concert series of the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy. Please comment and share.

My SoundCloud Channel: https://soundcloud.com/archie-chen
Official Website: http://www.archiechen.com
Youtube DIPF https://www.youtube.com/c/PianofestivalIe
Youtube Archie https://www.youtube.com/c/ArchieChenPianist
Festival Website: http://www.pianofestival.ie
Teaching Website: http://www.pianoacademy.ie

Piano: Hamburg Steinway B
Piano Technician: Martin Walsh
Recording Engineer: Joey McDonald
Piano provided by Pianos Plus

Charles-Valentin Alkan "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12

Yesterday, i played a couple of the beautiful sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Scarlatti and recorded this one in A-major. Hope you enjoy!

Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata K 208/L 238

Chopin - Piano Concerto No.1 Op.11 E Minor 2nd Mvt Romanza

Franz Schubert - String Quartet No.13 in A minor, 'Rosamunde', D.804 - I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Album release: 24th of February 2017

The hugely talented pianist makes his recording debut with the phenomenally difficult Liszt transcriptions of well-known opera melodies. A broad and thoughtful musician, Chiyan Wong’s special interest in the music of Franz Liszt, has led to him perfecting his own editions of these popular operatic fantasies. Following Liszt’s own advice regarding transcriptions, Wong concentrates on communicating the spirit and intention of the music whilst applying his own personal touches. A decade of performing Réminiscences de ‘Don Juan’ de Mozart has created a most effective version, whilst Wong adds a new coda to Fantasie über Themen aus Mozarts Figaro und Don Giovanni in a fitting tribute to Liszt’s pupil Carl Tausig. Wong has performed Liszt around the world: in Hong Kong as part of the composer’s bicentenary celebrations, in London at his Wigmore Hall debut, and in concert for the Liszt Society in Europe.

Chiyan Wong has been astonishing audiences with not just the sincerity and sheer authority of his playing, but is also fêted by critics and colleagues as a rising star of the piano world. Wong was the sole recipient of the Bernard van Zuiden Music Fund of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007 and won First Prize at the Jaques Samuel Pianos Intercollegiate Piano Competition in 2011. In addition, he has been awarded prizes by the Hattori Foundation in London, the International Piano Competition in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz in Ukraine and the Premio Liszt in Parma. He is a recipient of the Postgraduate Performance Award by the Musicians Benevolent Fund and the ABRSM Macklin Bursary. Wong has performed in Singapore, Italy, France, Germany and the UK and will return to the Singapore International Piano Festival in 2017.

 ‘Chiyan Wong is an exciting, original and thoughtful pianist. Nothing sounds ‘bought in’; everything sounds freshly but not self-consciously conceived.’ Stephen Hough

Liszt Transfigured: Operatic Fantasies for Piano

LISZT // Réminiscences de 'Don Juan' de Mozart - Grande fantaisie, S. 418

by Cenk Akiz

Felix Mendelssohn: Lieder Ohne Worthe(Songs Without Words), Book 2, Op.30, No.12 in F-Sharp minor

Schubert-Liszt  Auf dem Wasser zu singen {Yuja Wang Playing}

Julius Katchen & London Philharmonic Orchestra

Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

According to the Irish Times, Taiwanese-American pianist Archie Chen is like a hot-blooded Latino lover, except with a piano instead of a guitar. His "gorgeously full tone" and "daring velocity" have earned him a reputation as a real heart-throb of the classical music world. But don't be fooled by his dreamy good looks and seductive melodies - the man's got serious skills. As International Piano Magazine attests, his interpretation of Alkan at the Dublin International Piano Festival was so steamy, it's still making audiences swoon months later. Talk about a performance that really sticks with you!

Ladies and gentlemen, it's not every day you get to see a world-renowned doctor who also happens to be an international musical sensation! Dr. Chen is a true Renaissance man, traveling the globe and performing at some of the most prestigious venues in the world. From Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Gewandhaus and the Vatican Auditorium, this guy has played them all. And don't even get me started on his tours of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe! He's played at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Benaroya Hall, and countless concert halls throughout China. So if you're feeling ill, just come to one of Dr. Chen's shows and let his music heal your soul. 

He's not just a performer, he's a multimedia superstar! Not only has he graced the stages of some of the world's most prestigious venues, but he's also been featured on radio and TV in the US and Europe. And if that's not impressive enough, he's even been in movies! Just check out BBC Films' "Loving Miss Hatto" where he tackles the notoriously tricky Godowsky-Chopin Etudes. But don't worry, Archie's not a one-man show. He's an active chamber musician who's performed with some of the best, including English cellist William Butt and trumpeters Alan Vizutti and John Wallace. And he's not just a big city guy - Archie's performed with symphonies all across the US, from the Spokane Symphony to the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. And to top it all off, he's recorded for both Sony Classical and Carnegie Artists Records. So if you're in the mood for some top-notch entertainment, look no further than Archie - the pride of Spokane! This guy has been tickling the ivories since he was old enough to reach the keys. At just 11 years old, he gave his first Piano Concerto performance with the Spokane Youth Symphony. And he just kept getting better and better, winning the Northwest Young Artist series at 13 and the Young Artist award at Musicfest Northwest at 16. Talk about a prodigy! But Archie didn't stop there. He caught the attention of the legendary Maestro Gunther Schuller, who took him under his wing and made him a regular guest artist at the Festival at Sandpoint. 

And if that wasn't enough, he even went on to get his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied with the likes of Menahem Pressler and the late Edmund Battersby. Alright folks, let's get serious for a second - this guy is a scholarship machine! Archie Chen may be a native of Spokane, but he's been racking up accolades all over the country. At Indiana University, he won the Nina Neal Piano Scholarship and even earned the Performer's Certificate - the school's highest honor. But don't worry, he didn't stop there. After completing his studies at Indiana University, he went on to earn his Recital Artist Diploma and Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance. And if that wasn't impressive enough, he even focused his research on Chopin at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under the direction of John O'Conor. 

So when it comes to scholarships and awards, Archie's got it covered! Folks, let me tell you - this guy's got some serious talent. Not only has Archie Chen won countless awards and scholarships, but he's also been recognized by some of the biggest names in the business. He was the recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland Music Bursary Award, in support of his performances and research. And some of the biggest names in music have been his teachers, including Leonard Hokanson and Alicia De Larrocha. But don't just take my word for it - in 2013, Archie was named Artist of the Year by the New York Classical Music Society and he won First Prize at the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. And if that wasn't impressive enough, he's even been awarded a Fellowship from the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, a prestigious residency program for artists.

Not only is he a world-class pianist, but he's also an educator and a festival founder. That's right, folks - Dr. Chen has served as Assistant Lecturer of Piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and at the Conservatory of Music & Drama at TU Dublin. And if that wasn't enough, he's also the Founder & Artistic Director of the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy. But don't worry, he's not just a one-man show - he's also the Director of Development at the Piano Academy of Ireland. 

Not only is Archie Chen a world-renowned pianist, but he's also a top-notch teacher! His students have won top prizes in international piano competitions and have been accepted to some of the best universities and conservatories in the world. And he doesn't just teach at home - he regularly gives master classes across the US, Europe, and Asia, and is an active adjudicator at both national and international levels. But don't worry, Spokane - he hasn't forgotten about you. Recently returned to his hometown, Archie is an active member of MTNA, CMS, SMTA, and EPTA, and he even serves on the board of Musicfest Northwest. And when he's not busy with all that, he still finds time to maintain a private studio with his wife Rhona Gouldson.

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Charles-Valentin Alkan "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12

Archie Chen Pianist

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