Belle Chen with Engines Orchestra Strings: Ravel In The Forest
Pianist-composer Belle Chen brings her unique immersive live performance to The Tung Auditorium, reimagining her whimsical and imaginative album Ravel In The Forest live with award-winning Engines Orchestra Strings led by Phil Meadows (Metropole Orkest, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia) and special guests.
Notes fall like raindrops, quickening pace as the clouds gather. The piano melody splish sploshes into the electronic soundscape; the trees become denser, the journey more profound. Belle Chen's new album Ravel In The Forest, leads the listener through ancient woodland, quiet clearings and tropical canopies. We're accompanied by birds, a chameleon, a dragonfly – the wonder of the natural world is imbued into this imaginary space.
Praised as an artist that is “Original and provocative… feels like the sense of discovery” (Brian Eno), the Australian Music Prize-nominated artist’s latest album charted at #7 on UK Official Chart (Classical) and #15 on Australia’s ARIA Chart (Classical).
In her live shows, Belle takes a quirky, yet tender approach to musical storytelling. With the unmistakable influences of Maurice Ravel, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Joe Hisaishi’s melodic sweetness shining through, Belle blends sonic synth explorations and free flowing improvisations that feel equally at home on jazz or experimental stages.
Fresh off the 2024 EFG London Jazz Festival, Belle’s sonic explorations, classical virtuosity, and free flowing improvisations feels equally at home on jazz, classical, and experimental stages.
Presented in an innovative surround audio format, this special performance will sonically transform The Tung Auditorium.
This performance is supported by Arts Council England.
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“Original and provocative, feels like the sense of discovery”
“Belle Chen persistently pushes the limits of musical expression.”
“Belle Chen and her band weaved intimate vulnerability with moments of majestic awe, creating delicate and profound musical soundscapes that were both innately human yet otherworldly.”
“'Ravel In The Forest' defies categorization, providing a refreshing experience that reconnects audiences with nature, music, and introspection.”
A booking fee of 8% will apply to purchases made by telephone or online.
Access seats are available to visitors with additional access requirements such as wheelchair users. Sign-up to the access scheme to book these seats.
This performance is not likely to be suitable for children under 5 due to the acoustics in the auditorium. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Under-10’s are not permitted to sit on the balconies.
No food or drink other than bottled water is permitted in The Tung Auditorium. The Fröhlich Café Bar is open for drinks 90 minutes prior to the start of each performance.
This concert will last approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and not include an interval.
Tickets are non-refundable unless an event is cancelled or rescheduled. The full booking terms and conditions can be found here.