Concert Review—

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 Julliard 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 audiences’ 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 (1685-1757) 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, K. 457 was a contrast in graceful harmonies and phrasing. The three movements reflected the Knabe concert grand piano’s strength, and weakness. 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 Leo? Janá?ek (1854-1928) entitled “On an Overgrown Path.”

The very emotional and moving work was part of Janá?ek’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 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 has 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” 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.