Sa Chen
Encyclopedia
Sa Chen (born 1979 in Chongqing
, China
) is a Chinese
classical music
pianist
. She won first prize in the 1994 China International Piano Competition and fourth place in the 2000 International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition
and a prize in the Leeds International Piano Competition. Furthermore, she was a third place winner in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
.
Both of her parents were members of an art troupe in the People's Liberation Army
, and later transferred to the Performing Arts Group of Chongqing City. Her father played the French horn, and her mother was a ballet dancer.
She began to study the violin at the age of five, but soon switched to piano. Her first piano teacher was Dan Zhaoyi, who also taught Yundi Li, and she pursued further studies with Joan Havill
at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
. She also received coaching from Fou Ts'ong
for a period after the 1996 Leeds Piano Competition.
Chen has performed with conductors Sir Simon Rattle, Leonard Slatkin
and Long Yu among others. Musicians she has performed with include Gidon Kremer
and Nicolai Znaider.
She currently resides in Hanover, Germany.
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
) is a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. She won first prize in the 1994 China International Piano Competition and fourth place in the 2000 International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition
International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition
The International Chopin Piano Competition , often referred to as the Chopin Competition, is a piano competition held in Warsaw, Poland to honour the name of Frédéric Chopin. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious music competitions in the world...
and a prize in the Leeds International Piano Competition. Furthermore, she was a third place winner in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition was first held in 1962 in Fort Worth, Texas and is hosted by Van Cliburn Foundation. It was created by Fort Worth area teachers in honor of Van Cliburn, who had won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition four years prior with Tchaikovsky's...
.
Both of her parents were members of an art troupe in the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
, and later transferred to the Performing Arts Group of Chongqing City. Her father played the French horn, and her mother was a ballet dancer.
She began to study the violin at the age of five, but soon switched to piano. Her first piano teacher was Dan Zhaoyi, who also taught Yundi Li, and she pursued further studies with Joan Havill
Joan Havill
Joan Havill is a respected piano teacher and Senior Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She was born in New Zealand where she began her musical studies giving concerts and broadcasts from early childhood...
at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
. She also received coaching from Fou Ts'ong
Fou Ts'ong
Fou Ts'ong is a Chinese pianist.Born in Shanghai to a family of intellectuals , Fou first studied piano with Mario Paci, the Italian founder of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra...
for a period after the 1996 Leeds Piano Competition.
Chen has performed with conductors Sir Simon Rattle, Leonard Slatkin
Leonard Slatkin
Leonard Edward Slatkin is an American conductor and composer.-Early life and education:Slatkin was born in Los Angeles to a musical family that came from areas of the Russian Empire now in Ukraine. His father Felix Slatkin was the violinist, conductor and founder of the Hollywood String Quartet,...
and Long Yu among others. Musicians she has performed with include Gidon Kremer
Gidon Kremer
Gidon Kremer is a Latvian violinist and conductor. In 1980 he left the USSR and settled in Germany.-Biography:Kremer was born in Riga to parents of German-Jewish and Latvian-Swedish origins. He began playing the violin at the age of four, receiving instruction from his father and his grandfather,...
and Nicolai Znaider.
She currently resides in Hanover, Germany.