The NEW ALBUM - SOLACE
The events of 2020 which brought the world to a standstill have also created a time for self-reflection, and a renewed appreciation of the power of music. Ray explains, “Music heals the soul, it calms us, centres us, and creates focus in our lives. Bach’s music, in particular, written so far ahead of its time, reminds us of an important message: that humanity struggles onwards despite the odds.”
To achieve ‘Solace’, Ray built a professional studio from scratch in his very own home. He sourced the best recording equipment possible and remotely enlisted the help of record producer Jonathan Allen to handle the logistics of installing and setting up his ‘studio’ to perfection.
The violinist has selected six of Bach’s movements to represent the personal and powerful feelings he has experienced during this year. Opening with Preludio from Bach’s E Major Partita No. 3, Ray sets out a familiar sense of joy and connection. The Fugue from Bach’s G Minor Sonata No. 1 follows, meandering and searching for truth through a filter of anxious worry.
The Sarabande from his D minor Partita greets our senses with darkness and vulnerability, faced with the feeling of loneliness. This evolves into the frustration of trying to find the end of the thread which is expressed through Ray’s surrendering of Bach’s A minor Sonata No. 2 titled simply: Allegro. The album concludes with two of the most delicate Bach movements, Largo from his C Major Sonata No. 3 to evoke the feeling of hope before finally finishing with a familiarly joyful Gavotte en Rondeau yet the overall atmosphere reflect the changed times.
“TO DIE FOR. He had the kind of liquid tone that carries with it EMOTIONAL DEPTH OF GREAT INTIMACY“
THE HUFFINGTON POST
MUSIC EDUCATION
Motivational Series Part 1:
Dealing with Insecurity
MUSICAL HEROES
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“Sibelius dreamed of a career as a violin virtuoso. Ray Chen is fulfilling this dream with a brilliant debut in the Golden Hall [of Musikverein]. Rock-solid technique and lush sound.” KURIER
BIOGRAPHY
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. Beyond the performing arts, his work has also contributed to philanthropy, popular culture and educational technology.
Initially coming to attention via the Yehudi Menuhin (2008) and Queen Elizabeth (2009) Competitions, of which he was First Prize winner, he has built a profile in Europe, Asia, and the USA as well as his native Australia both live and on disc. Signed in 2017 to Decca Classics, the summer of 2017 has seen the recording of the first album of this partnership with the London Philharmonic as a succession to his previous three critically acclaimed albums on SONY, the first of which (“Virtuoso”) received an ECHO Klassik Award. Profiled as “one to watch” by the Strad and Gramophone magazines, his profile has grown to encompass his featuring in the Forbes list of 30 most influential Asians under 30, appearing in major online TV series “Mozart in the Jungle”, a multi-year partnership with Giorgio Armani (who designed the cover of his Mozart album with Christoph Eschenbach) and performing at major media events such as France’s Bastille Day (live to 800,000 people), the Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm (telecast across Europe), and the BBC Proms.
“It’s hard to say something new with these celebrated works; however, Ray Chen performs them with the kind of authority that puts him in the same category as Maxim Vengerov.”
He has appeared with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Munich Philharmonic, Filarmonica della Scala, Orchestra Nazionale della Santa Cecilia, Los Angeles Philharmonic, SWR Symphony, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Berlin Radio Symphony, and Bavarian Radio Chamber Orchestra. He works with conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Vladimir Jurowski, Sakari Oramo, Manfred Honeck, Daniele Gatti, Kirill Petrenko, Krystof Urbanski, and Juraj Valcuha.
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. Although new, the innovative app has cultivated a highly engaged and supportive community and is available to download on iOS and Android today. Ray Chen’s presence on social media makes him a pioneer in an artist’s interaction with their audience, utilising the new opportunities of modern technology. His appearances and interactions with music and musicians are instantly disseminated to a new public in a contemporary and relatable way. He is an ambassador for SONY Electronics, a music consultant for Riot Games - the leading esports company best known for League of Legends, and has been featured in Vogue magazine. He released his own design of a violin case for the industry manufacturer GEWA and proudly plays Thomastik Infeld strings. His commitment to music education is paramount, and inspires the younger generation of music students with his series of self-produced videos combining comedy, education and music. Through his online promotions his appearances regularly sell out and draw an entirely new demographic to the concert hall.
Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at age 15, where he studied with Aaron Rosand and was supported by Young Concert Artists. He plays the 1714 “Dolphin” Stradivarius violin on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. This instrument was once owned by the famed violinist, Jascha Heifetz.
“The joy that’s inherent in music is meant to be shared.” RAY CHEN
Tonic MUSIC
In 2020, Ray began working on a project close to his heart. Being involved in and passionate about the development of young musicians, he observed that practice—despite being an essential element of study—was the biggest obstacle in the journey to success. Through his own experience, he found that the best motivators for regular music practice were supportive friends and peers who could relate to and encourage the musician. Ray founded Tonic to address that need, for the benefit of the music community.
Tonic is an innovative music practice platform designed to make classical music accessible, connected and fun for a global community of musicians and learners. Focused on improving the detached experience of practice, Tonic motivates people on their musical journey and gives access to allow everyone to enjoy the best parts of being a musician: to play & share.
In the Tonic app, users can open live Studios for their practice sessions and play for a supportive audience of peers. Users set their own schedule, keep track of practice time to stay on track for their goals and earn Badges and other rewards for their efforts. Tonic also offers community events such as Challenges and Leagues which are supported by partnerships with established brands in the music industry. Social features such as Groups and Studio invitations help users build and maintain deeper friendships through the app.
Tonic began in 2020 as a pandemic passion project, but has since had over 1 million live Studios created. Users in over 130 countries love the platform and contribute to its community with creativity and openness. Built by music lovers for music lovers, it is a home and a haven for those who want to see the joy of music come alive through community.
"The tone he gets is almost human in its slight graininess and glow."
THE WASHINGTON POST
CONCERTS
“Colors dance, moods swing, and Chen’s artistry blazes.”
THE TIMES
MEDIA
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"[Ray Chen] als Tschaikowsky-Volltreffer ... der australisch-taiwanesische Stargeiger, Jahrgang 1989, streicht sein Instrument mit einer staunenswerten Souveränität und Perfektion."
HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT, Februar 2018
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