ASCENDING - Kevin Chen in Concert

Presented by the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts, international superstar Kevin Chen is returning to Calgary for a solo piano recital. This one-night-only celebration concert marks Kevin Chen’s triumphant return to his hometown of Calgary after tours of France, Israel, Germany, Poland and Taiwan following an astonishing string of international successes on the competition circuit. In 2021, he became the youngest pianist in history to win the Liszt International Piano Competition, followed by his first place win in 2022 of the Geneva International Music Competition, and most recently, he took the top prize of the 2023 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition.

“Experience live what the international music world is raving about - the biggest revelation in classical music in a generation” says Jean Grand-Maitre, long-time artistic director of Alberta Ballet, and the host of the pre-concert discussion with University of Calgary Professor Emeritus, Marilyn Engle. “His pianism combined astonishing technical mastery with a bold, wide-ranging musical imagination, profound insight and incomparable colourings, sound and dynamic shadings” said reviewer Luc Lagacé, France Musique.

This momentous event is the brainchild of arts philanthropist Heather Edwards, with all ticket proceeds being matched and donated by the Heather Edwards Foundation to support the music programs at the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts and the Mount Royal University Academy. The evening will feature special “pop-up” performances with music students from the University of Calgary in a joyous celebration of giving.

6:15 p.m. – pre-concert discussion with Jean Grand-Maitre and professor-Emeritus Marilyn Engle
7 p.m. – Concert
9 p.m. – post-concert Q&A with artist

Concert programme:
Felix Mendelssohn: Prelude and Fugue in B-flat major, Op. 35 No. 6
Felix Mendelssohn: Variations sérieuses, Op. 54
Frédéric Chopin: 12 Etudes, Op. 25
Franz Liszt: Bagatelle sans tonalité, S. 216a
Alexander Scriabin: Sonata No. 7, Op. 64 “White Mass”
Franz Liszt: Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este, S. 163 No. 4 from Années de pèlerinage III
Liszt: Réminiscences de Norma, S. 394

Ticket information:
$55 Adult/General Admission (general seating)
$110 Arts Champion Admission (includes general seating within a preferred area and complimentary bar service)
$48 Seniors
$25 Students/children*

*Limited number of tickets available for this category.

Because of the fundraising nature of this event, patrons are encouraged to select tickets generously, based on capacity to give.

Presented by: UCalgary School of Creative and Performing Arts