Wendy Chen and Andres Diaz Bring Chopin and Bach to the Sunrise

The Sunrise has a treat for classical music lovers on Sunday, March 21. In one of the first classical programs at the Theatre, pianist Wendy Chen and cellist Andres Diaz will perform works by Frederic Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Johann Sebastin Bach, and other famous composers. Chen and Diaz spoke to us on the phone about working together, their music selection, and Don Henley.

An "Instant-magic Meeting"

Chen, a first prize winner of the National Chopin Competition, first played with Diaz 13 years ago.

“We met playing the Rachmaninoff Sonata we’re playing in Florida,” Chen said. “It was an instant-magic meeting. We loved playing together. You can be great musicians, but you don’t always hit it off. Sometimes there will be a little extra magic. Off stage, we get along great, too.”

She said Diaz will open the concert with a solo Bach cello suite.

“I wanted him to open with that,” Chen said. “He made a recording of Bach works five years ago, and it was released last year. It’s been nominated for a Latin Grammy.”

The rest of the program will be the two of them performing together.

“They are pieces we’ve toured with for many years,” she said. “They’re all my favorites. If we don’t love it, we don’t play it.”

In addition to the Rachmaninoff piece, they will play a tango by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla.

“It’s an incredible tour-de-force,” Chen said. “It’s exciting and sensual, with pyrotechnics (from the instruments.)”

That will be balanced with an elegy by Gabriel Faure and then a polonaise, or Polish slow dance music, by Chopin.

“Chopin helped launch my career,” she said. “It’s my background and I love Chopin. This version has more for the cello. It’s an amazing feat for a cellist.”

Chen has performed in programs featuring Art Garfunkel and James Taylor, both of whom she admires.

The Cellist and the Rock Star

Chen suggested that when we talk to Diaz, we ask him about rock musician Don Henley. When we asked him about the singer of “Boys of Summer” and “Dirty Laundry” he laughed.

“Out of nowhere, the phone rang two weeks ago and it was Don Henley,” he said. “His son and my son are in the same class and they got into a tiff about whose father is more famous. I told my son not to go there!”

The two performed at a charity event the following week.

“We performed two songs and it was really fun,” Diaz said. "The guys were so nice. I thought I’d get beat up, but it was fabulous.”

He also has high praise for Chen.

“She is amazing,” he said. “She’s one of my favorite people in the whole world. The main part of the program, the meat, is the Rachmaninoff and she plays it like no one else. It’s a big romantic work. The Piazzolla is lots of fun for the audience and the Faure elegy is one of my favorite short pieces. The Chopin is a piece that not too many pianists can play.”

The program added the Bach suite to honor Diaz’s new recording, but he may have another recording in his future.

“Don asked me to do more stuff and maybe a recording,” Diaz said. “It would be amazing.”

This Sunday two world-class musicians play their favorite works at the Fort Pierce Marina. Visit the Sunrise's Web site for more information and tickets.

Shelly Koppel
Writer