I am thrilled to announce a new commission from composer Nina C. Young, a multi-movement suite for solo piano that stands at the heart of my latest recital program, "Departure: Music of Farewell and Emergence," which will be presented in the 2026-2027 season in Boston, Chicago, and New York. This work is a pivotal creative milestone: much like the path taken by György Ligeti, Nina is developing this solo suite as a formal and musical foundation for an upcoming Piano Concerto.

Nina’s musical perspective is uniquely shaped by her Russian-Ukrainian heritage and her deep engagement with the legacies of Stravinsky. Her new work is strategically weaved into a program that traces the piano as a witness to transformation—from the private farewells of Beethoven and Liszt to the modern precision of Stravinsky. 

This commission is the latest chapter in a decade-long friendship and professional partnership between Nina and me. Having worked together on the Infinite Staircase project and performed with Nina's Ensemble Échappé, I am honored to help bring this next phase of her compositional journey to life. Your support will directly fund the creation of this work, covering:

In this program, departure is not an ending, but a necessary condition for emergence. By supporting this campaign, you are investing in a "moment of change" where what is left behind continues to shape the future of classical music.

- - -
Han Chen is a GRAMMY-nominated pianist and a leading voice in 20th and 21st-century repertoire. Based in New York City, Chen’s extensive discography and performances, including his recent recital at The Phillips Collection, highlight his "mastery of modern language" and technical precision. A graduate of The Juilliard School and New England Conservatory, he has collaborated with major conductors and ensembles, continually pushing the boundaries of the piano's theatrical and expressive capabilities.

Nina C. Young is an American composer whose work is deeply informed by her Russian-Ukrainian heritage and her engagement with the legacies of Stravinsky. Her music has been commissioned by premiere institutions, including the New York Philharmonic, and she serves on the faculty at The Juilliard School. As the Artistic Director of Ensemble Échappé, Young creates sonic worlds that explore transformation and cultural reorientation. Her current collaboration with Han Chen involves a multi-movement solo suite designed as a foundational step toward a future piano concerto.