Bobby Chen in concert

On Sunday (Aug 24th), Bobby Chen appeared at Dewan Jubilee Perak at Shah Alam. He gave a one and a half hour piano recital. His repertoires are:

1) Beethovan - Sonata Op. 13 'Pathetique'

2) Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet: 10 pieces for piano Op.75

3) Schubert - Impromptus Op. 90

4) Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9

5) Chopin - Ballade Op. 23 No.1 in G minor

Actually, I didnt know about this concert until last Friday. It was very last minute, but I decided to attend since it's such a rare occasion to see Bobby Chen in Malaysia. Thanks to Xin Ying that I knew about this concert. (No posters at UPM .. ish..!)

Anyway, I have a few complains about this concert. Not about Bobby Chen's playing of course. But a few unsatisfactions that I really need to voice out! I had a difficult and painful time watching this recital. Very PIK CIK! Again, not Bobby Chen's fault...

1) The venue

Not suitable for piano recital. The auditorium is big and grand, however it's too big for a piano recital. Many seats were spoilt and the place is not well-maintained. This place can be very good if the people in charge made an effort to improve it. But, I still think, this hall is better for theatre work rather than piano recital. Oh ya, forgot to mention the time of this concert. It's 4pm in the evening! Weird! First time i heard matinee concert is at 4pm. weird!

2) The piano & audio system

Since the auditorium is big, it makes sense that the piano should be bigger! They only provide a medium grand for poor Bobby Chen. (approx. 5 feet 7?) How to project his sound la?! Well, at least a concert grand la! kiam siap.. some more this event is organized by.. Y****a.. haih.. So since the piano sound is not well projected, they did an amazing job by putting mics to enhance the sound. I think (based on the knowledge that I learned from music technology class) the placing of microphones is incorrect and does not aid the enhancement of sound. During the first half, piano sounded thin and weak. But, I think they did something with the equalizer, so second half sounded better.

3) The audience

This is the WORST PART of the whole concert. I don't understand the organizers actually. They do not remind the audience to switch off mobile phones, to remain seated during the concert unless emergency and to keep quiet! I understand that many local people do not have enough exposure and understanding towards classical music. I completely understand this. However, they should at least know the ethics of being an audience?! The most basic manners should be respectful towards the performer. During the entire concert, children and adults were walking in and out of the hall and creating unnecessary noise. They were talking and fumbling around. This actually disturbs the performer's concentration and mood A LOT! (Not only audiences, even the organizers/people in charge were doing this too! For goodness sake, manners! You don't do that in cinema, do you?) Many times I noticed Bobby Chen felt uneasy, annoyed and distracted due to the audience's disturbance. But, I should admit that, all this while he is very gentleman and patient! For me, I will be absolutely furious and pissed off.

Another thing is, the audiences keep on clapping for every movement. haih. You know there's 10 pieces in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. They clapped for every single one. *pengsan* Their applause sounded more like 'oh, faster la, finally finish! har, got some more ah?'. Not sincere at all! And I hear children saying: very boring la.. (Of course la, this kind of music only aunty like me will listen) Luckily Bobby Chen understood that his fellow Malaysian friends are not so 'cultured' (Sorry, I have to say like that, but it's a fact).

Anyway, after babbling so much on the negative points of this concert. There sure are some good ones. Well, of course Bobby Chen's playing was superb. He has a sensitive touch and beautiful tone. Personally, I thought played romantic pieces very well. I don't really like his Beethovan 'Pathetique' compared to the other repertoires he performed. He sounded timid and shy, unlike Beethovan's moody personality and contrasted dynamics. I love the Romeo and Juliet suite by Prokofiev. Very interesting work. I've heard the orchestra version, but this is the first time I've heard the piano version. Gonna find the scores! Then, he played Schubert and Chopin. I enjoyed the second half much better than the first half. (Partly because I went in front to a better view and better sound seat.) Bobby Chen's fingers and glide across the keyboard swiftly and rapidly like a gust of air but the sound were as sparkling as crystal and as flow as water. Incredible finger technique and strength. I think he is more specialized in romantic music.

This is the second time I've heard Bobby Chen. The first time was at MPO two years ago. He played Rachmaninov's 32 variations on a theme of Paganini. He has a good tone and control, but shy. I guess, this is his personality. He is really nice when I walked up and talked to him. Very polite, but he said "I've got to bend down a bit" while taking photograph with me. HMPH! hehe. Yala, I'm short ... ;(

Very tired after complaining and grumbling about the concert. I'm glad that I attended and thoroughly enjoyed Bobby Chen's playing. Like I mentioned, although this event was not so formal, and many parents brought their children for 'exposure'. In my opinion, experience and exposure are vital, however, choosing the right concert/event is equally important! In addition, manners is another chapter we have to learn in our moral studies.

Lastly: poor Bobby Chen ...