LONDON – London-based pianist and composer Belle Chen releases “Rise”, out 28th August 2026 on the Platoon label. The delicate neo-classical composition features the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Ben Palmer, arriving following the critical and commercial success of her 2024 album ‘Ravel In The Forest’—which debuted at #7 on the UK Specialist Classical chart and #15 on the ARIA Classical Chart.
The Composition: Between Dreaming and Waking
“Rise” captures a fleeting moment of profound stillness—the gentle space between dreaming and waking. Belle describes the piece as a tender musical portrait of first light:
“The gentle space between dreaming and waking. The quiet feeling of watching someone slowly awaken before the sun has risen, while the world is still asleep. This new composition captures that fleeting moment through delicate melodies, warm textures, and a quiet sense of wonder. A tender musical portrait of first light, stillness, and the beauty of a day that has yet to begin.”
The orchestration weaves piano and synthesizers alongside a full string orchestra, creating layered emotional landscapes that evoke both intimacy and grandeur. The collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic under Ben Palmer’s direction brings orchestral depth to Chen’s characteristically melodic yet exploratory approach—a signature blend of classical restraint and sonic boldness.
A Rising Force: Recent Touring Success
“Rise” follows Belle’s triumphant spring 2026 touring period across Europe and the UK. Her extensive tour throughout March-May 2026 garnered multiple sold-out performances across major venues, culminating in a celebrated headline show at London’s prestigious Southbank Centre on 23rd May—cementing her status as a rising force in neo-classical and contemporary classical music.
Tour highlights included sold-out performances across The Hague, Leuven, Eindhoven, Münster, and Mainz, alongside additional sold-out dates in Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Dublin. Standing ovations and critical acclaim established Belle as an artist capable of commanding both intimate listening rooms and prestigious concert halls.
International Expansion: China & Australia
Following her European success, Belle continues her international expansion with the APAC Spring Tour in October 2026, featuring performances across China and Australia. Tour dates include:
October 2026:
- Latvia: Cesis Konzert Hall
- China: Beijing, Shanghai (dates to be announced)
- Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth
This represents a significant moment for Chen as she brings her distinctive sound to Asian and Oceanic audiences—markets that have embraced her music with increasing enthusiasm. Her releases have amassed over 60 million streams globally, with significant recognition across the Australian music industry.
An Original Voice: Brian Eno’s Endorsement
Described by Brian Eno as an artist that is “original and provocative… feels like the sense of discovery,” Belle Chen has built a distinctive reputation for blurring the lines between classical and electronic music. Her approach combines the melodic sweetness of influences including Ryuichi Sakamoto and Joe Hisaishi with sonically bold synth explorations and free-flowing improvisations that feel equally at home on jazz, experimental, or classical stages.
For listeners familiar with Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, and Max Richter, Chen’s music occupies a distinctive space where acoustic piano meets evocative electronics—a sound world entirely her own.
Commissions, Sync & Cultural Impact
Beyond concert performances, Belle’s original music reaches global audiences through major commissions and collaborative projects. She has written works for prestigious UK ensembles including the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic, contributing pieces to BBC Radio 3 programmes such as ‘Music and Meditation’ and ‘Postcards from Composers.’
Her sync and collaborative work extends to London and Shanghai Fashion Weeks, choreography for The Cincinnati Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet, and placements in international media. As an accomplished classical performer, Belle’s recording of Maurice Ravel’s ‘Un Barque Sur L’Ocean’ was placed in the Gucci Archive—a testament to her interpretive artistry alongside her original compositions.
A Journey of Identity
Chen’s transient childhood in Taiwan and Australia has shaped her lifelong relationship with music. A synthesis of eastern and western cultures has propelled her on a continual search for identity and belonging—a journey she lives openly through her music. This bicultural perspective infuses her compositions with emotional complexity and cultural nuance, creating work that resonates across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Critical Acclaim & Global Recognition
Making her debut at the EFG London Jazz Festival in 2024 to a standing ovation, Chen’s releases have garnered Australian Music Prize nominations and amassed over 60 million streams worldwide. Her 2024 album ‘Ravel In The Forest’—an evocative celebration of forest ecosystems and humankind’s capacity to imagine—exemplifies her ability to merge thematic depth with sonic sophistication.
She is signed to Platoon with an upcoming key release in 2027 featuring guest artists including the BBC Philharmonic, promising further artistic evolution and international reach.
Single: “Rise”
Release Date: 28th August 2026
Label: Platoon
Format: Digital, Physical (TBA)
Instrumentation: Piano, Synthesizers, String Orchestra
Featuring: BBC Philharmonic (conducted by Ben Palmer)
Upcoming Tours:
APAC Spring Tour – October 2026:
- Latvia: Cesis Konzert Hall
- China: Beijing, Shanghai (dates TBA)
- Australia: 20 Oct, Melbourne / 22 Oct Adelaide, Nexus Arts / 26 Oct, Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival / 28 Oct, Perth International Jazz Festival / 27 Nov, Brisbane
Leave a comment