I’ve had one of those days in which I just want to contemplate stuff, and music naturally entered my thoughts. What is music, other than a series of sound waves produced by vibrations in strings or in the air? What meaning does a piece of music have that appeals to us, that can evoke such powerful emotions? According to existentialists, life has no meaning until an individual makes it for him- … [Read more...]
Sean Chen captures the nostalgic feel of Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin
Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin is one of the pieces on Sean Chen's program for his September 9, 2017 performance at Steinway Society - The Bay Area. Below the clip is a note about the music from Steinway Society board member, Donald Wright. The video is a clip of Sean at Gilmore Keyboard Festival's 2016-17 Rising Stars series. https://youtu.be/PYJD27Fab8s A marvelous live performance by … [Read more...]
Seong-Jin Cho plays Rachmaninoff Third Concerto
Listen to this lush, ravishingly beautiful, technically precise, and altogether stunning performance of the Rachmaninoff Third Concerto, played by award-winning pianist Seong-Jin Cho, conducted by Valery Gergiev with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, live in Vladivostok. We are thrilled to be presenting Cho in two recitals at the Trianon Theatre, November 3 and 4. The 4th is sold out, and … [Read more...]
Bach and the Imagination
Aspiring pianists strive to perform with power, flair, and with a type of sound that is distinctive. Reaching this level of musicality naturally requires immense effort and dedication. It also requires a vivid imagination, in order to be able to tell a story with one’s playing. But how does one develop a musical imagination? My answer is rather simple: play some Bach. Developing a Musical … [Read more...]
The Incomparable Sean Chen Returns to Bay Area
Sean Chen returns to the Steinway Society on September 9. If you remember the standing ovation we gave him after his 2014 appearance here, you're already eagerly anticipating this concert. For an added treat, here's Sean's performance of his own transcription of Ravel's La Valse, which he performed at American Pianists Association's 2013 Classical Fellowship Awards, Premiere … [Read more...]
