The music he plays casts an image of a seasoned pianist with a talent steeped in years of ritual practice and performance.
Contrasting that image is the 12-year-old prodigious pianist Kevin Chen, who will take the keys alongside the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra for Prodigy! in Kelowna March 9, Penticton March 10 and Vernon March 11.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 always skeptical about these prodigy stories. There害羞草研究所檚 no question they害羞草研究所檙e talented, I just wonder if they have something to say musically,害羞草研究所� said OSO musical director Rosemary Thomson. 害羞草研究所淗e really does have something to say.害羞草研究所�
Chen, a Calgary product, first picked up the piano at age five. And, when he was eight-years-old, Chen attained his Associateship with the Royal Conservatory and was named to the top 30 classical musicians under 30 list.
害羞草研究所淗e became the youngest person in history to get his associateship,害羞草研究所� said Thomson, who got her associateship at age 18.
The highest academic standings granted by The Royal Conservatory, associateships are the equivalent of a diploma in post-secondary education.
Now, four years and more than 80 original piano works written, Chen dabbles in writing orchestral work and has caught the attention of Thomson, who has kept a close eye on Chen for the past three years.
害羞草研究所淗e wrote a piece called Loud Sense,害羞草研究所� Thomson said, adding that she expected a light and colourful composition from the young talent. 害羞草研究所淗e wrote a piece about post-traumatic stress disorder. It害羞草研究所檚 a very dramatic piece.害羞草研究所�
But, before Okanagan audiences get a taste of his original compositions, Chen will perform a classic and complex work from perhaps the most well-known prodigy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
害羞草研究所淩ight away, he knew which concerto to learn,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淗e has such a knowledge of the repertoire.害羞草研究所�
Chosen by Chen, the 12-year-old pianist is set to perform Mozart害羞草研究所檚 Piano Concerto No. 20.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 really looking to express something quite soulful,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淪ometimes, these kids have such a fascination (surrounding them) because they害羞草研究所檙e cute. Once they reach adulthood, they struggle to sand out for different reasons, but I don害羞草研究所檛 feel that with Kevin. His passion for the music, for me, is what害羞草研究所檚 interesting.害羞草研究所�
Moreover, Thomson believes Chen害羞草研究所檚 prowess will inspire Okanagan pianists, young and old, to push themselves to new heights in their craft.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e always looking for that way to motivate our kids to practice,害羞草研究所� Thomson said, adding that while not everyone will posses the inborn talent of someone like Chen, practicing the craft can help muster an appreciation of prodigal composers. 害羞草研究所淚 hope that every pianist in the valley will be at the show because he will be such an inspiration.害羞草研究所�
In the second half of the performance, the orchestra will perform Igor Stravinsky害羞草研究所檚 Pulcinella Suite, likely written by the widely-influential Russian composer during teenage-hood.
害羞草研究所淚t sort of applies to this theme of youth who have matured beyond their years,害羞草研究所� Thomson said.
And to that end, Thomson said, Chen is the perfect fit.
害羞草研究所淚 think he害羞草研究所檚 really going to leave people speechless, not just because he害羞草研究所檚 an anomaly, but because he害羞草研究所檚 an artist.害羞草研究所�
The OSO presents Prodigy, the fifth edition of the Chase Wines Masterworks Series, at the Kelowna Community Theatre March 9 at 7:30 p.m., Penticton害羞草研究所檚 Cleland Theatre March 10 at 7:30 p.m. and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre March 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets for all shows are available for $56.25 adult, $49 senior and $26.75 student online at .
entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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