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.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 always skeptical about these prodigy stories. There91裸聊视频檚 no question they91裸聊视频檙e talented, I just wonder if they have something to say musically,91裸聊视频� said OSO musical director Rosemary Thomson. 91裸聊视频淗e really does have something to say.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淗e became the youngest person in history to get his associateship,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淗e wrote a piece called Loud Sense,91裸聊视频� Thomson said, adding that she expected a light and colourful composition from the young talent. 91裸聊视频淗e wrote a piece about post-traumatic stress disorder. It91裸聊视频檚 a very dramatic piece.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淩ight away, he knew which concerto to learn,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淗e has such a knowledge of the repertoire.91裸聊视频�
Chosen by Chen, the 12-year-old pianist is set to perform Mozart91裸聊视频檚 Piano Concerto No. 20.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 really looking to express something quite soulful,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淪ometimes, these kids have such a fascination (surrounding them) because they91裸聊视频檙e cute. Once they reach adulthood, they struggle to sand out for different reasons, but I don91裸聊视频檛 feel that with Kevin. His passion for the music, for me, is what91裸聊视频檚 interesting.91裸聊视频�
Moreover, Thomson believes Chen91裸聊视频檚 prowess will inspire Okanagan pianists, young and old, to push themselves to new heights in their craft.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e always looking for that way to motivate our kids to practice,91裸聊视频� 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. 91裸聊视频淚 hope that every pianist in the valley will be at the show because he will be such an inspiration.91裸聊视频�
In the second half of the performance, the orchestra will perform Igor Stravinsky91裸聊视频檚 Pulcinella Suite, likely written by the widely-influential Russian composer during teenage-hood.
91裸聊视频淚t sort of applies to this theme of youth who have matured beyond their years,91裸聊视频� Thomson said.
And to that end, Thomson said, Chen is the perfect fit.
91裸聊视频淚 think he91裸聊视频檚 really going to leave people speechless, not just because he91裸聊视频檚 an anomaly, but because he91裸聊视频檚 an artist.91裸聊视频�
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., Penticton91裸聊视频檚 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
Like us on and follow us on .
