The evening concert by American world-renowned pianist Frederic Chiu on Sunday, December 15 2002 marked the celebration of the official centennial of the Westerly Armory. The armory was dedicated in December 1902 and the concert benefits the restoration of the National Register building.

Frederic Chiu has released over 20 CDs, most recently Liszt’s Anne de Pelerinage (2nd year), Liszt’s transcription of the Schubert song cycle Schwanengesang, Chopin’s Mazurkas, and Opus 10 Etudes and Rondeaux. The complete piano works of Prokofiev in nine volumes is now available, a recording project that has elicited enthusiasm from Fanfare magazine to the Wall Street Journal to France’s Elle magazine. His release of three rarely-played sonatas of Mendelssohn was chosen as "Record of the Year” by Stereo Review.

His first CD, a recital of piano transcriptions, marked him as a champion of this under-explored repertoire, following the example of his former teacher, Abbey Simon. He recently opened the National Symphony Orchestra’s season with the Liszt transcription of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, to a standing ovation. His own arrangements, including pieces from Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kije Suite (which he will play at the Armory) have met with rousing success in concert and on record.

Westerly Armory under fire (Photo by Roberta Humble)

During the 2001-2002 season, Frederic Chiu toured Japan, made his Lincoln Center orchestral debut performing the Saint-Saens Second Concerto with the Orchestre de Bretagne, Stefan Sanderling conducting, and performed recitals throughout the United States. Other North American appearances have included the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York, the Ambassador Theatre in Pasadena, and Place des Arts in Montreal. He is a perennial guest of the acclaimed Newport Music Festival.

Born and raised in America by Chinese immigrant parents and a long-time resident of France, Frederic Chiu’s cosmopolitan background brings a unique humanist approach to his music-making. “He has reinvented virtuosity . . . a phenomenon that must be heard. (Le Monde, Paris).

After studies at Indiana University - in piano with Karen Shaw and also in Computer Science - and at the Juilliard School, Frederic Chiu began his career in Paris and has become one of the most well-known American pianists playing in France. He has performed in most of the major European cities: Rome, Milan, Brussels, Antwerp, Berlin, Frankfurt, the Hague, Warsaw, Prague, and London. He performs regularly in Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China) as well as Africa.

A recipient of many prestigious awards - the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Petscheck Award, and the American Pianists Association Fellowship - it was the lack of a certain award that first brought him to international notice: in a rare foray into the competition circuit, his elimination before the final round of the 1993 Van Cliburn Competition roused enormous protest; prominent stories in the New York Times referred to him as the “Maverick American Pianist.”

Frederic Chiu’s activities as a teacher are highly acclaimed, both as a private teacher and in master classes. His unique series of seminars, with their philosophic and holistic approach to piano playing, are coveted by their hand-picked participants.

The concert program included three chorale preludes (Bach-Busoni), selections from Schwanengesang (Schubert/Liszt), the William Tell Overture (Rossini/Liszt), the Lieutenant Kije Suite (Prokofiev/Chiu), and the Sonata No. 7 (Prokofiev).

A sparkling cider reception with Frederic Chiu after the reception marked the official centennial celebration in the Armory’s Staff Room with fireplace.

Buy Pianos Art Prints At AllPosters.com

Sponsors included Sandy’s Fruit & Vegetable Emporium, Westerly Community Credit Union, Military Order of Foreign Wars, and RI Committee for Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve.

Roberta Mudge Humble is Professor of English at the Community College of Rhode Island, and founder and President of WAR. Her connections to the Armory date back to her great grandfather, its original custodian.

Readers Comments About This Page:

Be the first! Add Your Comment!