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Ray Chen: Bio

Winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition (2009) and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition (2008), Ray Chen is among the most compelling young violinists today. His recent performances, including the debut recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington D. C., have enraptured both the audiences and the critics. "Ray Chen can do pretty much anything he wants on the violin" (The Washington Post). "From the first notes there was no doubt of being in the presence of something very special" (The Strad). Maestro Vengerov, who met Mr. Chen while serving on the jury of the Menuhin Competition, immediately engaged him to perform with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in St. Petersburg as well as at the opening concert of the next Menuhin Competition in April 2010 in Oslo.

Within weeks of joining the CAMI Music roster, Mr. Chen signed an exclusive multi-year contract with Sony Classical. His first album, "Virtuoso", slated for release in January 2011, will feature a selection of pieces from Bach to Wieniawski that reflect the scope of Mr. Chen's talent as well as his passion for music. An orchestral recording with Daniel Harding and the Swedish Radio Orchestra is planned for 2011. "The musicianship of Ray Chen is just as exciting as that of Gustavo Dudamel. He seems to have it all: instantly recognizable tone, charismatic personality and musical authority unusual for his age. He is at the beginning of a major career and it is a privilege to build it with him," says Bogdan Roscic, President of
Sony Classical.

Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray Chen was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at the age of 15, where he continues to work with Aaron Rosand on expanding his repertoire. Mr. Chen plays the 1721 "Macmillan" Stradivarius provided as part of the award for winning the 2008-09 Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York. Mr. Chen was a featured soloist of this year's Rostropovich Festival in Moscow and his performance of Bach's Double Violin Concerto became a much-discussed highlight of the 2009
Aspen Music Festival.

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Ray Chen since his triumph at the Yehudi Menuhin Competition", says Maxim Vengerov. "Ray has proven himself to be a very pure musician with great qualities such as a beautiful youthful tone, vitality and lightness. He has all the skills of a truly musical interpreter."

Ray Chen is looking forward to his upcoming debuts with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Munich Philharmonic, Deutsche Symphonieorchester Berlin, Philharmonia La Scala, Spanish National Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, and Seoul Philharmonic. His festival engagements include Verbier and Ravinia and he will give recitals in Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg, Zurich and other major cities worldwide.

Track Listing

1 Violin Sonata in G minor: 1 Larghetto  
2 Violin Sonata in G minor: 2 Allegro energico  
3 Violin Sonata in G minor: 3 Allegro assai  
4 Chaconne from Partita in D minor for solo violin  
5 Legende op. 17  
6 Variations on an original theme for violin, op. 15  
7 Sonata for violin and piano in A Major:1 Allegrett  
8 Sonata for violin and piano in A Major:2 Allegro  
9 Sonata for violin and piano in A Major:3Recitativo  
10 Sonata for violin and piano in AMajor:4Allegretto  

Ray Chen: Audio

Violin Sonata in G minor "Devil's Trill": Allegro energico

Ray Chen: Stories

  • Ray Chen's Victories on Record
    Posted At : August 17, 2012 3:46 PM

    Ray Chen brings a fresh interpretation to these cornerstones of the violin repertoire. His second release is joined by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of its musical director Daniel Harding. "Music is teamwork," says Ray Chen, and he explains his choice of these works for the new release: "I won with Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. Maybe I bring something new and fresh to them. In any event, I would never take on something that I didn't feel ready for." Alongside his technical mastery, it is precisely the maturity of his playing which has impressed many critics. In the words of the Chicago Tribune: "He is an exceptional talent." His interpretation of the Mendelssohn E minor Violin Concerto led to his triumph at the 2008 Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists. The following year the violinist's insightful performance of the Tchaikovsky Concerto secured him first prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Both romantic masterpieces that have played a significant role in the young artist's career to date, are included in his first concerto recordingin with Sony Classical.
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  • Ray Chen, the talent of youth
    Posted At : August 21, 2012 11:45 AM

    Ray Chen started playing violin when he was only four years old and quickly mastered the instrument. By age eight he was invited to play solo with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. Chen was also invited to perform at the opening celebration concert for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

    Chen has been rewarded many times for beening a young and talented musician, from scholarships to 'Musician of the Year'. He has won multiple competitions and studied under great violinests. Chen's current teacher Aaron Rosand of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and is under contract with Sony Classical.
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  • Ray Chen's world of music
    Posted At : August 21, 2012 11:54 AM

    Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray Chen is proving to be a man of the world. His music career in competitions has taken him to Wales, Russia, Belgium, and more. Chen's victories has earned him opportunities to work with orchestra's across the globe. From his first solo with the Queensland Philarmonic Orchestra to sold-out performances with the Seoul Philharmonic, it is clear Chen wants to share is talent with the world.
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