Reimagining Romanticism

New Works to be composed by Paul Frucht, David Fulmer, Lei Liang and Nina Young for Han Chen at the Carnegie Hall

What: Four new piano works for Han Chen to perform

When: Winter 2021 (date TBA)

Where: Carnegie Weill Hall

OVERVIEW

Franz Liszt’s Years of Pilgrimage Second Year: Italy is a masterwork in the Romantic style. Composed between 1837 and 1849, the suite is consisted of seven pieces, all inspired by other art forms such as visual art and poetry. The artists credited in the pieces include Michelangelo, Raphael, Petrarch, and Dante, all of which Liszt came across during his stay in Italy.

When pianist Han Chen was invited by the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts to give a debut recital at the Carnegie Weill Hall in the 2021-2022 season (date TBD), he decided to create his own pilgrimage by reimagining Romanticism. Chen reached out to four composers who have inspired him in his musical career, and he invited them to create new works for the concert. The four astounding composers are: Paul Frucht, David Fulmer, Lei Liang and Nina C. Young. They have each committed to write a new piano solo piece about eight minutes.

This project reflects on Chen’s artistic mission to bridge classical and contemporary music, which, to Chen, should not be defined by the period of time. In order to overcome the barrier between the two worlds, Chen always programs his concerts in a curatorial manner, so that each of his concerts can be focused on a theme that breaks the boundary between the old and new. The Carnegie concert will be a highlight of the endeavor, which will unite all music-lovers to indulge themselves in a new Romanticism.

Chen on his experience with the four composers:

“I premiered Paul Frucht‘s Piano Trio at the Alice Tully Hall in 2015 as part of the Winner’s concert for the Gena Raps Chamber Music competition. In Paul’s music, fine lyricism and enthralling rhythm are fused together. He was also the most helpful and clear in the rehearsal sessions. In my mind, he is the greatest collaborator to have.”

“In 2017, I worked with David Fulmer at the Clark Museum in Massachusetts where he curated a day-long music festival titled as Abstract Expressions. During the festival, David’s music got performed and he also conducted. I did not get to perform his music there, but his contagious conducting style led to my discovery of his equally contagious composition.”

“Lei Liang coached me on his My Windows in summer 2019, at a festival where I was on the piano faculty and he was on the composition faculty. During the coaching, he was poetic, experimental and inspiring. He would let me try out a note in ten different ways and keep pushing me to imagine new possibilities. The coaching deeply influenced me, as now I approach other music with the same sensibility.”

“I have been in Nina C. Young‘s sinfonietta Ensemble Échappé for the past five years, and she is the inspiration for what I do as a musician. Through playing in the ensemble and her music, I came to realize how important it is to bring one’s artistic value onto the stage. Her unique piano sound world also continues to captivate and intrigue me.”