Belle Chen

With a distinctive combination of piano melodies and evocative synths, pianist-composer Belle Chen's world straddles acoustic and electronic realms. Having experimented with found sound, and classical dedications – Lullaby for Edward, a tribute to Edward Elgar – Chen's 2023 Ravel In The Forest is a compelling collection referencing woodland adventures and French impressionism. Her music is Influenced by travel and people as much as her classical training; exciting, biting electronica added to the lush melodies of post-classical pianism. Referencing French composer Maurice Ravel in her latest album, Chen gives importance to the space between notes. 'I like how impressionism provides just enough information. My music implies; I like to leave room for the audience to fill in their own lines.' A multi-instrumentalist, Chen includes felt piano in the style of Nils Frahm. Other timbres, such as plucked strings, are explored in her album Departure, which was self-released and nominated for the Australian Music Prize. Performance highlights include Royal Albert Hall’s Steinway Series, Milano Piano City Midnight Main Stage, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide, Kulturhuset Najaden Concert Hall and National Theatre of Korea. Commissions and synchs include BBC Sounds, BBC Concert Orchestra, Gucci Archive, London Fashion Week, Shanghai Fashion Week, and The Joffrey Ballet Chicago. Recognised as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Belle Chen is also a Yamaha artist.