Pianist is playing toward perfection

Ross Raihala, The Olympian

Originally published Friday, January 18, 2002

The title of "21st Century Master" may sound like a weighty designation, but pianist Wendy Chen certainly fits the bill.

At least that's what the Los Angeles Times thought when, in a review, they said the 29-year-old Californian "is technically endowed to do just about anything she wants on a keyboard ... (she puts on) a powerful show."

The Washington Post, meanwhile, has praised Chen's "note-perfect technique and ... effervescent Chopin."

Chen will perform in Olympia on Wednesday as part of The Washington Center for the Performing Arts' "21st Century Masters" program, which spotlights young classical musicians.

Born in Los Angeles to Chinese parents, Chen spoke no English during the first years of her life. She began taking piano lessons at 4, just as she was learning her second language.

She attended the R.D. Colburn School of Performing Arts before, at the age of 15, debuting with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under famed conductor Andre Previn.

Two years later, Chen took the top honors in the National Chopin Competition. That led to her debut recital at Alice Tully Hall, performing "Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2" with the New York Chamber Symphony.

That helped Chen earn an Irving S. Gilmore Young Artists Award as well as the title of Presidential Scholar by the National Foundation for the Arts.

And that was just the start of the honors bestowed upon the young woman. But she takes all the attention and awards in stride. As she told one reporter: "Respect and reverence for music are at the center of my life. It's my expectations as an artist and as a person that are unlimited. I want a rich life."

Chen went on to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Peabody Conservatory as a student of Leon Fleisher, whom she first met at the age of 10.

In 1997, she won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and was awarded the Bruce Hungerford Prize.

The next year, Chen performed as a soloist with the Boston Pops.

At the time, the Boston Globe concluded: "Chen is an elegant pianist, and her performance ... had stamina, chops, brilliance, and sensitivity -- a formidable combination."

Chopin has proved to be a vital composer in Chen's career, and she pays tribute to his work in her 1998 debut solo album, "Chopin."

Last year, Chen released "The Two Violin Sonatas and Five Melodies," an all-Prokofiev collaboration with violinist James Ehnes. The two appeared together in 1999 at the Seattle Chamber Music Festival.

Of Chen's performance, Ehnes told one reporter: "It's her absolute control that makes Wendy a perfect chamber music partner. At the keyboards, she can do anything she wants to do."

Ross Raihala covers music for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or OlyRoss@aol.com.

Wendy Chen

- What: A 21st Century Masters performance featuring the young pianist.

- When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23.

- Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia.

- Tickets: $16.50 adults, $8.25 youths.

- For information: Call The Washington Center box office at 360-753-8586.

- Website: The Washington Center for the Peforming Arts

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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