ARCA Presents:
(2023 photo). L-R: The late Dr. Arthur Steffee, Marybeth Steffee and Sean Chen. The Steffees loved his performances both in Lincoln Hall and at a reception following the concert. They were eager to bring him back – which ARCA is honored to do so in its 20th Anniversary Season as the “2025 Arthur Steffee Pianist”.
On a beautiful Spring afternoon in Foxburg, be inspired by the opening classical concert in Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Art’s 20th Anniversary Season with the virtuosic and eloquent storytelling of SEAN CHEN, Van Cliburn Competition Bronze medalist and world-renowned pianist / composer / arranger, returning by popular demand on on Sunday, March 30 at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall as “The 2025 Arthur Steffee Pianist”. In his magnificent debut in 2023, Sean Chen received two standing ovations from the sold-out house in a lovefest between artist and audience, having taken them on an inner journey as poet and weaver of musical tales.
Hailed for his interpretive depth, lyricism and virtuosity, this young genius will perform a tour-de-force program of Romantic masterworks – all four Chopin Ballades with his improvised interludes connecting them; Nikolai Medtner’s Sonata-Tale, op. 25, #1’ Franz Liszt Tre sonetti di Petrarca; and Sean Chen’s own arrangement of the Paul Dukas Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
Sean’s audience program commentary will be rich and insightful especially about his transcription of the Dukas “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, made popular by Mickey Mouse and Disney’s Fantasia. Following the concert, the audience will enjoy a meet-and-greet and Q & A with this warm and personable artist. Students are FREE and parents/accompanying adults receive the Member’s price.
This is world class artistry – a concert not to be missed. Tickets are Adults $30, Members $25, Students/Children FREE with accompanying Adult paying Member price. Call to RESERVE: 724-659-3153 to pay by cash or check at the door or BUY ONLINE - alleghenyriverstone.org.
After winning the 2013 American Pianists Awards and Bronze Medal at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and being named a 2015 Annenberg Fellow, Mr. Chen is now a Millsap Artist in Residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
He has collaborated with esteemed conductors including Leonard Slatin & Gerard Schwarz and performed with prominent orchestras from Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Kansas City to San Diego and Knoxville. Solo recitals have brought him to major venues around the world, from Boston and New York City to Taipei, Amsterdam, and Paris.
A multifaceted musician, Mr. Chen also transcribes, composes, and improvises. His transcriptions of such orchestral works as Ravel’s La Valse, Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and the Adagio from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, have been received with glowing acclaim and enthusiasm, and his encore improvisations are lauded as “genuinely brilliant” (Dallas Morning News).
From the fiery pyrotechnics of Rachmaninoff to the delicate filigree of Nikolai Medtner, critics have been unanimous: ”Los Angeles native Sean Chen has the rare ability to combine poetic musical sensibilities and dazzling technical prowess... coaxing subtle and surprising colors and textures from each work.” - LA Music Examiner
“There aren’t enough superlatives for this young man. Moments of bold intensity gave way to those of a gentle tenderness that was breathtaking at times…” Chantal Incandela of Nuvo
“After my living a long life with the Rachmaninoff 3rd, it took this youthful musician to show me the most imaginative and compelling performance of this work I have ever heard.” Henry Upper, The Republic
American conductor, Gerard Schwarz, said, “The Bartók Concerto No. 2 that he played in the finals was stupendous. He brought this piece to life in a totally convincing way, and for me it was the best performance of this concerto that I have ever heard.”
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