The music he plays casts an image of a seasoned pianist with a talent steeped in years of ritual practice and performance.

Contrasting that image is the 12-year-old prodigious pianist Kevin Chen, who will take the keys alongside the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra for Prodigy! in Kelowna March 9, Penticton March 10 and Vernon March 11.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 always skeptical about these prodigy stories. There乌鸦传媒檚 no question they乌鸦传媒檙e talented, I just wonder if they have something to say musically,乌鸦传媒� said OSO musical director Rosemary Thomson. 乌鸦传媒淗e really does have something to say.乌鸦传媒�

Chen, a Calgary product, first picked up the piano at age five. And, when he was eight-years-old, Chen attained his Associateship with the Royal Conservatory and was named to the top 30 classical musicians under 30 list.

乌鸦传媒淗e became the youngest person in history to get his associateship,乌鸦传媒� said Thomson, who got her associateship at age 18.

The highest academic standings granted by The Royal Conservatory, associateships are the equivalent of a diploma in post-secondary education.

Now, four years and more than 80 original piano works written, Chen dabbles in writing orchestral work and has caught the attention of Thomson, who has kept a close eye on Chen for the past three years.

乌鸦传媒淗e wrote a piece called Loud Sense,乌鸦传媒� Thomson said, adding that she expected a light and colourful composition from the young talent. 乌鸦传媒淗e wrote a piece about post-traumatic stress disorder. It乌鸦传媒檚 a very dramatic piece.乌鸦传媒�

But, before Okanagan audiences get a taste of his original compositions, Chen will perform a classic and complex work from perhaps the most well-known prodigy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

乌鸦传媒淩ight away, he knew which concerto to learn,乌鸦传媒� Thomson said. 乌鸦传媒淗e has such a knowledge of the repertoire.乌鸦传媒�

Chosen by Chen, the 12-year-old pianist is set to perform Mozart乌鸦传媒檚 Piano Concerto No. 20.

乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 really looking to express something quite soulful,乌鸦传媒� Thomson said. 乌鸦传媒淪ometimes, these kids have such a fascination (surrounding them) because they乌鸦传媒檙e cute. Once they reach adulthood, they struggle to sand out for different reasons, but I don乌鸦传媒檛 feel that with Kevin. His passion for the music, for me, is what乌鸦传媒檚 interesting.乌鸦传媒�

Moreover, Thomson believes Chen乌鸦传媒檚 prowess will inspire Okanagan pianists, young and old, to push themselves to new heights in their craft.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e always looking for that way to motivate our kids to practice,乌鸦传媒� Thomson said, adding that while not everyone will posses the inborn talent of someone like Chen, practicing the craft can help muster an appreciation of prodigal composers. 乌鸦传媒淚 hope that every pianist in the valley will be at the show because he will be such an inspiration.乌鸦传媒�

In the second half of the performance, the orchestra will perform Igor Stravinsky乌鸦传媒檚 Pulcinella Suite, likely written by the widely-influential Russian composer during teenage-hood.

乌鸦传媒淚t sort of applies to this theme of youth who have matured beyond their years,乌鸦传媒� Thomson said.

And to that end, Thomson said, Chen is the perfect fit.

乌鸦传媒淚 think he乌鸦传媒檚 really going to leave people speechless, not just because he乌鸦传媒檚 an anomaly, but because he乌鸦传媒檚 an artist.乌鸦传媒�

The OSO presents Prodigy, the fifth edition of the Chase Wines Masterworks Series, at the Kelowna Community Theatre March 9 at 7:30 p.m., Penticton乌鸦传媒檚 Cleland Theatre March 10 at 7:30 p.m. and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre March 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets for all shows are available for $56.25 adult, $49 senior and $26.75 student online at .

entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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