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 debut recitals in the Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center in Washington D. C. and Merkin Hall in New York, have enraptured both the audiences and the critics. "Ray Chen can do pretty much anything he wants on the violin" (Anne Midgette, The Washington Post). "From the first notes there was no doubt of being in the presence of something very special" (Dennis Rooney, 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, slated for release at the end of 2010, will feature a selection of pieces - from Bach to Sarasate � that reflect the scope of Mr. Chen's talent as well as his compelling personality. An orchestral recording dedicated to late 19th century virtuoso repertoire 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 "Huggins" Stradivarius, on loan from The Nippon Music Foundation, and the 1721 Stradivarius known as "The Macmillan", 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's upcoming engagements include a performance with the Taipei Symphony at this year's World Expo in Shanghai, a North American orchestral debut with the New Jersey Symphony as well as concerts with the Orchestre National de Lille, Deutsche Symphonie Berlin and Sydney Symphony.

YCA Artists are continually adding to their repertoire.  Please contact the artist management staff at Young Concert Artists if you are interested in a work which does not appear on this list.

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