Violinist and online personality, Ray Chen redefines what it means to be a classical musician in the 21st century. With a global reach that enhances and inspires a new classical audience, Ray Chen's remarkable musicianship transmits to millions around the world, reflected through his engagements both online and with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world.
Initially coming to attention via the Yehudi Menuhin (2008) and Queen Elizabeth (2009) Competitions, of which he was First Prize winner, he has gained international recognition. Ray Chen has performed with the world's most significant orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, New York Philharmonic, and Orchestra dell‘Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. He collaborates with conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Daniele Gatti, Manfred Honeck, and Kirill Petrenko.
In 2017, he signed a contract with Decca Classics and recorded that summer his first album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This shared the success of his previous albums released with SONY, including "Virtuoso," which was awarded an ECHO Klassik Award. Referred to as "one to watch" by The Strad and Gramophone magazines, he performs at major media events, such as on Bastille Day in France (live with 800,000 listeners), at the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, and at the BBC Proms. Moreover, Forbes magazine included him in the list of the "30 most influential Asians under 30."
More recently, Ray Chen co-founded Tonic, an independent startup that aims to motivate musicians and learners around the world to practice their craft together. His commitment to musical education is significant, inspiring the younger generation of music students through his series of self-produced videos that blend comedy, education, and music. His online promotions regularly lead to sold-out performances, attracting an entirely new demographic to concert halls.
In October 2024, his new album Player 1 was released by Decca, featuring Korngold's Violin Concerto as well as arrangements of film and game music themes. In the 2025/26 season, Ray Chen will embark on a major European tour with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Ray Chen was born in Taiwan and raised in Australia. At the age of 15, he was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Aaron Rosand and was supported by "Young Concert Artists." He plays the 1714 "Dolphin" Stradivarius violin, lent to him by the Nippon Music Foundation. This instrument once belonged to the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz.
