Events » Classical Expressions 2025 » John Chen
Classical Expressions 2025 presents
The Romantics: John Chen
Thursday 26 June | 7.30pm
French Romantic Masterpieces. This concert is presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand
An all-French programme, featuring a range of masterpieces from the Romantic and Post-Romantic periods. Poulenc’s delightful Novelettes are followed by four original transcriptions of Duparc’s haunting songs. Two cornerstones of the Romantic piano literature follow: Franck’s passionate and profound Prelude, Chorale and Fugue and Fauré’s melancholic Theme and Variations. The programme concludes with Saint-Saëns’ 6 Etudes, full of Gallic charm and flair.
New Zealand pianist John Chen launched his career by winning the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, where he also won prizes for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chamber music and Concerto. Since then, he has performed across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and extensively in Australia and New Zealand, including performances at significant festivals such as Klavierfestival Ruhr and Singapore International Piano Festival. Mr Chen currently lives in Kampala, Uganda, where he works as school chaplain of Acacia International School.
- Francis Poulenc, Three Novelettes
- Henri Duparc (transcribed J Chen), Four Melodies
- César Franck, Prelude Chorale and Fugue
- Gabriel Fauré, Theme and Variations Op 73
- Camille Saint-Saëns, 6 Etudes Op 111
This concert is presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand