Han Chen is a world-renowned professional pianist known for his fearless performances and deep insights into both contemporary and classical music. He specializes in works by Thomas Adès, György Ligeti, and Anton Rubinstein, and has been praised for handling both complex contemporary scores and romantic showpieces with equal authority.

What are Han Chen's major achievements?

Han Chen won the Gold Medal at the 2013 China International Piano Competition, establishing him as one of the leading pianists of his generation. He has been featured in The New Yorker by Alex Ross and praised by critics worldwide for his exceptional interpretations of contemporary classical music.

What makes Han Chen unique as a pianist?

Han Chen is particularly acclaimed for his ability to handle both contemporary classical works and romantic showpieces with equal authority. He specializes in the music of living composers like Thomas Adès and György Ligeti, while also excelling in romantic repertoire by composers like Anton Rubinstein.

Where did Han Chen study music?

Han Chen is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School, where he received his classical piano training. His education at Juilliard provided him with the foundation for his successful international career as a professional pianist.

Where can I hear Han Chen perform live?

Han Chen performs concerts worldwide at major venues and music festivals. Check his performance schedule at hanchenpiano.com/performances for upcoming recitals and concerto performances. You can also find ticket information and booking details for his concerts.

What repertoire does Han Chen perform?

Han Chen performs a wide range of classical repertoire, specializing in contemporary works by Thomas Adès and György Ligeti, as well as romantic compositions by Liszt, Chopin, and Rubinstein. He is particularly acclaimed for his interpretations of technically demanding contemporary pieces.

What venues has Han Chen performed at?

Han Chen has performed at major concert halls and music festivals worldwide. His international career includes performances at prestigious venues and collaborations with renowned orchestras and chamber music ensembles.

What recordings has Han Chen released?

Han Chen has released several critically acclaimed albums on Naxos Records, including recordings of Thomas Adès, György Ligeti, and Anton Rubinstein works. His recordings are available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and other digital music services.

Where can I buy or stream Han Chen's music?

Han Chen's recordings are available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal. Physical albums can be purchased through Naxos Records and major music retailers worldwide.

What is Han Chen's latest recording?

Visit hanchenpiano.com/recordings to find information about Han Chen's latest releases and complete discography. His most recent projects feature both contemporary classical works and romantic repertoire.

How can I book Han Chen for a performance?

To book Han Chen for concerts or events, contact Black Tea Music at info@blackteamusic.com. His management team handles all booking inquiries and can provide information about availability, performance fees, and technical requirements.

Who manages Han Chen's career?

Han Chen is represented by Black Tea Music, a professional artist management company. They handle all aspects of his career including concert bookings, recording projects, and media relations.

Is Han Chen available for private events?

For inquiries about private performances, corporate events, or special occasions, contact Black Tea Music at info@blackteamusic.com. They can discuss availability and arrangements for private concerts.

Does Han Chen teach piano?

Information about Han Chen's teaching activities and masterclasses can be found on his website. He occasionally gives masterclasses and educational workshops at music institutions and festivals.

What is distinctive about Han Chen's piano technique?

Han Chen is praised for his fearless approach to both contemporary and classical repertoire. Critics have noted his ability to handle technically demanding contemporary scores while maintaining the elegance and style required for romantic showpieces.

Han Chen Receives GRAMMY® Nomination for Florence Price Piano Concerto Recording

On November 7, 2025, the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 68th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, and I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to share that my recording of Florence Price's Piano Concerto has been nominated in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category.

The Nomination

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

The Recording Academy announced six exceptional recordings in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category:

- Coleridge-Taylor: 3 Selections From '24 Negro Melodies' — Curtis Stewart; Michael Repper, conductor (National Philharmonic)

- Hope Orchestrated — Mary Dawood Catlin; Jesús David Medina & Raniero Palm, conductors (Venezuela Strings Recording Ensemble)

- Inheritances — Adam Tendler

- Price: Piano Concerto In One Movement In D Minor — Han Chen; John Jeter, conductor (Malmö Opera Orchestra)

- Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos — Yo-Yo Ma; Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)

- Shostakovich: The Piano Concertos; Solo Works — Yuja Wang; Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)

To be nominated alongside such extraordinary artists and recordings is a profound honor. I have deep admiration for my fellow nominees and the artistry they have brought to their recordings.

View Full 2026 GRAMMY® Nominations List

A Dream Realized

When we recorded Florence Price's Piano Concerto in March 2024 at the Malmö Opera House in Sweden, I could never have imagined that this journey would lead to a GRAMMY® nomination. From the first rehearsal to the final recording session, every moment was infused with a deep sense of purpose—to honor Price's genius and bring her music to audiences who might never have heard her name.

Conductor John Jeter and Han Chen in rehearsal during the Florence Price Piano Concerto recording sessions

Florence Price Piano Concerto - GRAMMY® nominated recording on Naxos Records

This recognition represents not only a profound personal honor but also a momentous celebration of Florence Beatrice Price's extraordinary legacy and the countless individuals who made this recording possible.

Listen to the Nominated Album

Today, as I reflect on this nomination, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who believed in this project and helped transform it from a dream into reality.

Celebrating Florence Price's Legacy

This nomination is, above all, a celebration of Florence Price (1887-1953) and her groundbreaking contributions to American classical music. As the first African American woman to have her symphony performed by a major American orchestra, Price overcame extraordinary barriers of racial and gender discrimination to create music of lasting beauty and significance.

Her Piano Concerto in One Movement, composed in 1934, is a masterwork that seamlessly weaves together European classical traditions with African American musical elements—spirituals, blues, and ragtime. For decades after her death, Price's music was largely forgotten, with many of her manuscripts discovered only in 2009 in an abandoned house in Illinois. This remarkable find sparked a renaissance of interest in her work, and today's nomination represents another significant milestone in the ongoing recognition of her artistic achievements.

Florence Price deserves to be celebrated not as a historical footnote but as one of America's great composers. This GRAMMY® nomination helps affirm that truth.

Heartfelt Thanks to My Collaborators

This recognition belongs to every person who contributed their artistry and dedication to this recording:

Maestro John Jeter

To conductor John Jeter—your expertise in African American classical repertoire and your deep musical insight brought Price's concerto to life with authenticity and brilliance. Your leadership and artistry elevated every moment of this recording. Thank you for being such an inspiring collaborator and advocate for this music.

Malmö Opera Orchestra

To every member of the Malmö Opera Orchestra—your commitment to exploring underrepresented repertoire and your world-class musicianship shine through in every note of this recording. Recording in Sweden, we created something truly special together. Thank you for your dedication and artistry.

Sean Lewis - Producer, Engineer, and Editor

To Sean Lewis, our producer, engineer, and editor—your technical mastery and artistic sensibility captured the full depth and beauty of Price's music. Your meticulous work in every phase of production helped create a recording that does justice to this remarkable composition. Thank you for your expertise and dedication.

Naxos Records

To Naxos Records—thank you for your unwavering support of this project and your commitment to recording underrepresented composers. Your global distribution has allowed Florence Price's music to reach audiences worldwide. This nomination reflects your vision and dedication to expanding the classical music canon.

Gratitude to the Wider Community

I am deeply grateful to the Recording Academy and its voting members for recognizing this recording. As a member of the Recording Academy's 2025 New Member Class, I have witnessed firsthand the Academy's commitment to honoring excellence and diversity in music. This nomination for Florence Price's Piano Concerto reflects that commitment and sends a powerful message about the importance of championing voices that have been historically marginalized.

To all the critics and music journalists who reviewed this recording with such insight and enthusiasm—your words helped bring attention to Florence Price's music and the importance of this project. Reviews from BBC Music Magazine, The Strad, Pizzicato, Textura, ResMusica, Télérama, and many others celebrated both the artistic merit of the recording and the significance of Price's music. Your support has been invaluable in building momentum for this recognition.

To my family—your unwavering love and support have sustained me through every challenge and triumph of my musical career. This honor belongs to you as much as it belongs to me. Thank you for believing in my dreams and sacrificing so much to help me pursue them.

To my fellow musicians, presenters, and classical music advocates who have championed contemporary music and underrepresented composers—this nomination represents our collective work to diversify and expand the classical music canon. Your efforts to program adventurous repertoire, support living composers, and challenge traditional boundaries make achievements like this possible.

To everyone who has listened to this recording, shared it with others, and supported Florence Price's music—thank you. Your enthusiasm and engagement have been deeply moving. Classical music thrives when audiences embrace new discoveries and champion artists and composers who deserve recognition. Your support has made this nomination possible.

Looking Forward with Gratitude

As we await the GRAMMY® Awards ceremony, I am filled with gratitude and humility. Regardless of the final outcome, this nomination has already achieved something precious—it has brought greater attention to Florence Price's remarkable music and affirmed the importance of continuing to expand and diversify the classical music repertoire.

I am committed to continuing this work, both through future recordings and performances. There are so many composers whose music deserves to be heard, and I feel privileged to serve as an advocate for their artistic legacies.

Performing and recording Florence Price's Piano Concerto has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Her music speaks with a unique and powerful voice—bridging different musical worlds, honoring multiple cultural traditions, and expressing profound beauty and humanity. Every time I play her concerto, I am moved by its emotional depth, compositional sophistication, and the resilience and artistry of the woman who created it.

This GRAMMY® nomination feels like a validation not just of my work but of Florence Price's rightful place in the pantheon of great American composers. It is a recognition long overdue and deeply deserved.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Thank you to those who supported this recording from its inception, to those who championed it after its release, and to the Recording Academy members who recognized its artistic merit.

Thank you to Florence Price, whose music continues to inspire and move listeners nearly a century after it was written. I am honored to be a steward of your legacy.

This nomination belongs to all of us—to everyone who believes that classical music should reflect the full richness and diversity of human experience, and to everyone who works to make that vision a reality.

With profound gratitude and joy,

Han Chen

Note: *The 68th Annual GRAMMY® Awards ceremony will take place on February 1, 2026. The nominated recording, Florence Price Piano Concerto, is available on Naxos Records and all major streaming platforms.*