Brahms / Beethoven / Bartók Sean Chen

• Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1
• 1Theme Poco Larghetto - Variations I-XI18:26
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827): Sonata No. 29 (Hammerklavier) in B-flat major, Op. 106
• 2I. Allegro11:05
• 3II. Scherzo02:43
• 4III. Adagio sostenuto17:20
• 5IV. Largo - Allegro risoluto12:07
• Béla Bartók (1881–1945): Three Études, Op. 18
• 6I. Allegro molto02:20
• 7II. Rubato - Tempo giusto03:38
• 8III. Andante sostenuto02:37
• Total Runtime01:10:16

Info zu Brahms / Beethoven / Bartók

The first American to win a prize since 1997, Crystal Award winner Sean Chen won fans with his 'exceptional ability to connect with an audience combined with an easy virtuosity' (Huffington Post). Named the 2013 Christel DeHaan Classical Fellow of the American Pianists Association, highlights of Chen's 2013–14 season include return invitations to perform with the Indianapolis and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras and performances at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Jordan Hall in Boston. An advocate of new music, Chen has collaborated with several composers to perform their works, including Michael Williams, Nicco Athens, Michael Gilbertson, and Reinaldo Moya. This live recording of his competition performances featured works by Brahms, Beethoven and Bartók.

„Sean Chen captivated audiences and critics at the 2013 Cliburn Competition with concerts “that had the crowd not just standing…but cheering loudly,” (KDHX, St. Louis) earning the crystal award and winning three years of concert tours in the United States—the first American to win a prize since 1997. Markedly, in his Final Round performance of Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 3, “he summoned massive, orchestral sonorities, yet he could also play with enormous delicacy. It was a muscular, impassioned performance, and you felt like he is an artist with something to say” (Cincinnati Enquirer).

'There's an undeniable spark in Chen's playing that keeps the ears engaged.' (Donald Rosenberg,The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

Sean Chen, piano

Recorded in concert May 24–June 9, 2013 at Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, Texas
Audio Engineer: Tom Lazarus, Classic Sound, Inc.
Mastering: Brad Michel
Producers: Richard Dyer, Jacques Marquis, Robina G. Young

Sean Chen
The first American to win a prize since 1997, Crystal Award Winner Sean Chen won fans with his 'exceptional ability to connect with an audience combined with an easy virtuosity' (Huffington Post). Also the 2013 Christel DeHaan Classical Fellow of the American Pianists Association, highlights of his 2013-14 season include return invitations to perform with the Indianapolis and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras, performances at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Jordan Hall in Boston, and the release of a live CD of his Competition performances in fall 2013 on the harmonia mundi usa label, featuring works by Brahms, Beethoven, and Bartók. An advocate of new music, Mr. Chen has collaborated with several composers to perform their works, including Michael Williams, Nicco Athens, Michael Gilbertson, and Reinaldo Moya.

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