Pianist Sa Chen makes her PentaTone recording debut with Chopin Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
Posted by Kelly in New Releases
On October 28, PentaTone Classics released the debut recording of Sa Chen, marking the beginning of a long-term exclusive contract between PentaTone and the acclaimed Chinese pianist. The SA-CD recording features her performing the two Chopin piano concertos accompanied by the Gulbenkian Orchestra, led by conductor Lawrence Foster. Also included are a bonus PAL-format DVD featuring footage of the recording session of the second movement of Piano Concerto No. 1 and an interview with Ms. Chen by Gramophone’s James Jolly.
Of Ms. Chen’s recent performance of the two Chopin concertos with the Plano Symphony, Scott Cantrell of the Dallas Morning News wrote: “In both Chopin concertos she was as surely attuned to the honeyed romanticism as to the glitters and grand rhetorical gestures.” Ms. Chen’s Hollywood Bowl debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in August also brought accolades for the young pianist. Rick Schultz of the Los Angeles Times commented: “The pianist’s chamber music-like dialogues with clarinet and violins, which dominated the eventful opening Allegro, created a memorable poetic intimacy. In Schumann’s nuanced Intermezzo and exuberant finale, the pianist’s sparkling tone was probably as natural-sounding as it could be in an outdoor setting.”
Already a star in China, the Chongqing native first studied at the Sichum Conservatory and the Shenzhen School of Arts. From 1994-2001, she studied with Professor Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and later continued her studies with Professor Arie Vardie at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hanover. Ms. Chen gave her first major performance at age 16 at the Leeds International Piano Competition, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and broadcast live on BBC Television. As the youngest contestant in the final round, she won fourth place and captivated British audiences. That successful performance marked the beginning of her international career. Since then, Ms. Chen has won a number of prestigious awards, including the overall fourth prize at the 14th Annual Chopin Piano Competition and the Crystal award at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
Ms. Chen performs regularly throughout Europe, Asia, and the U.S. with celebrated conductors like Leonard Slatkin, Edo de Waart, and James Conlon. In August, she participated in the Piano Extravanganza as part of the cultural events surrounding the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
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