Belle Chen

As part of the Metronome Piano Sessions – bringing together the best pianists from around the world, for intimate seated performances. With a distinctive combination of piano melodies and evocative synths, pianist-composer Belle Chen’s soundworld straddles acoustic and electronic realms. Chen’s 2023 recording and debut release via Platoon, titled ‘Ravel in the Forest’ – sees the composer develop her love for immersive audio, invoking striking images and stirring the imagination through her playful pieces. Entering the UK Specialist Classical Charts at #7 and the ARIA Classical Charts at #15 on release, Ravel in the Forest breaks new ground for the sound world placed between classical and contemporary. It’s difficult to pin-point Chen’s style – surely the sign of an interesting artist – which adds a pinch of exciting, biting electronica to the lush, sometimes minimalist melodies, of post-classical pianism. Now based in London, Chen draws on emotional associations, rooting her work in time and place – as heard in her 2022 album Years of Pilgrimage. There is an international flavour to Chen’s compositions, which sometimes includes reimaginations of folk music. Chen performs across the globe, with performance highlights including the Royal Albert Hall’s Steinway Series, Milano Piano City Midnight Main Stage, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide, Kulturhuset Najaden Concert Hall and the National Theatre of Korea.