Explosive Mixture of Music And Science
Yields Balance And Passionate Performing
By June S April
Playing music was never a
question for Melvin Chen. At age three, his parents (both scientists)
began his violin studies and at five piano lessons were added to his schedule.
Fast forward some 15 years and science is a dominant part of the mix.
Now, after getting a PhD from Harvard in physical chemistry dealing with
chemical reactions of metal catalysts on surfaces, a bachelors of science
from Yale in chemistry and physics, plus a double master's degree in piano
and violin from the distinguished Juilliard School of Music, Melvin Chen's
life is once again primarily directed to music.
His technical mastery and
performing eloquence have been extolled by a variety of publications.
The performance on Sunday, March 21, was an echo of those tributes. The
audience at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown gave a resounding standing ovation
for a program that was brilliantly and energetically executed.
Unlike some other performers,
Dr Chen claims not to do exercises that could explain the power and energy
that characterize his performing. He does admit, however, to relishing
the six to seven hours he practices at his six-foot Yamaha Grand Piano
at least five days each week, when he's not teaching music at Yale or
Bard.
This handsome and charming
young man walks on stage, gives a smile and slight bow to acknowledge
the audience's applause, sits down, focuses immediately and begins playing.
The program was a spin through musical time periods.
Beginning with three (he wrote
550) of Domenico Scarlatti's (1685 to 1757) technically challenging Sonatas,
Dr Chen established his prowess and technical expertise. His trills are
exceptionally clear and his touch thoughtful and sensitive.
Moving on to Mozart's Fantasia
in c minor, K457, was a contrast in graceful harmonies and phrasing. The
three movements reflected the Knabe concert grand piano's strength, and
weaknesses. There were wonderfully rich lower sounds and sometimes too
bright upper octave tones.
Closing the first half of
the afternoon concert with a work he substituted for Jennifer Higdon's
"Secret and Glass Gardens," Dr Chen played a lesser known work
by the Czechoslovakian composer Leos Janacek (1854-1928) entitled On an
Overgrown Path.
The very emotional and moving
work was part of Janacek's effort of dealing with the death of his 21-year
old daughter. His other child, a son, had died at age 2 of scarlet fever.
The power and importance of music as a means of expression is one of the
reasons why having it in one's life is so important. That was one of the
points Dr Chen repeatedly stated in a post-concert conversation.
The added advantages of developed
memory skills, analytical thinking and a healthy outlet of expression
and vehicle for sharing are strong arguments for keeping music programs
in our school systems.
Opening the second half of the program with Maurice Ravel's Valses Nobles
et Sentimentales made it very difficult to sit still. The lilting melodies
are clearly dance music and have some memorable melodic links to Weber's
"Invitation to the Dance."
Three of Chopin's Nocturnes
were then performed with delicious clarity and passion. Not a flamboyant
performer, Dr Chen's fingers seem to be connected to the piano keys even
when they're hovering inches above. Man and instrument seem a single unit.
The finale of the program
was indeed a grand one. Union by New Orleans born composer Louis Moreau
Gottschalk (1829-1869) was rousing and brilliantly performed by the tireless
Dr Chen. Technically reminiscent of Rachmaninoff's music at the beginning
of the piece, Dr Chen creatively introduced portions of "Columbia
the Gem of the Ocean," "Comptown Races" and "Yankee
Doodle" that were bridged and swallowed to disgorge a performance
that left one breathless.
Dr Chen's first compact disc,
a performance of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, is being edited by Dr
Chen at this time. It is hoped to be released this summer on the Arabesque
label.
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