Ray Chen plays Ysaye Sonata No. 2 Obsession (Prelude)

Ysaÿe: “Obsession” Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 27, No. 2 (Prelude)
This amazing movement quotes directly from Bach’s E Major Partita No. 3 and infuses that with the “Dies Irae” Mass for the Dead plainchant. There’s so much visceral energy that’s needed; one needs to immediately switch back and forth between the sweetness and elegance of Bach, to sudden demonic virtuosity.

Recorded on December 3rd, 2019 in the Arcade of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Todd Rosenberg.
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RAY CHEN

[RayChenViolinist]

The reason why my eyes go back into my head is so I can see the music in my mind.

[nicholaschung]

when ray closes his eyes its over for everyone

[sherrylhenning]

That hall has KILLER acoustics! One of those places where you just HAVE to play, sing, tap dance, or something musical! Thanks for sharing Ray! Beautifully done!

[noelic]

WAit, I never knew Ysaye's Sonata No. 2 started straight off with Bach's Partita in E major!
That's hilarious. lol
I didn't know composers did mashups like that back then. Amazing.

[hilailika]

Holy shit. If I could play a tiny bit like this my own emotions would literally beat me up. Since they do that even if I am not playing myself. An impressive piece and an even more impressive interpretation. Thank you so much.

[zahravardin]

Ray Chen is what happens when someone is truly obsessed about what they do... Pure and beautiful

[Emmaever-x]

I recently subscribed to this channel because of the TwoSet Violin guys. It was totally worth it just to see this performance!

[afiqahrudy]

*"Recorded on December 3rd.."*


I'm just gonna think of this as a birthday gift haha 😂❤

[Jay-S]

Why is no one talking about how quickly and effectively he shifts from the gentle bach phrase into the agressive ysaye phrase. Like look at 0:32, elegant bach transitions into 0:35

[stew]

Ray Chen you have changed my life. You have inspired me years ago to get more serious about violin and now music and violin has taken me down a path I never saw myself walking. I have changed schools to go to a school for the creative arts (one of those arts being music) and I know that when I leave high school I’m definitely going to do something career wise with violin. I haven’t decided yet.
Soloist is the goal but I’m already 15 and I’m not a prodigy so I doubt I’m ever going to be as good as Ray Chen.
Every single moment of my life for the past year has been completely different to what it would have been if Ray Chen didn’t come into my life. He doesn’t even know that I exist and he changed my life this much. If I got to meet one person in the whole world it would without a doubt be Ray Chen and I would just tell him how much him of a person means to me.
He probably won’t see this but if he does: Ray Chen, you are my hero and I can’t even put into words what you have done for me, how you have changed my world and given meaning to my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Ray Chen!!

[mhamedarkhis]

imagine how much work he put into this piece, just incredible! his patience and dedication, just wow! beautifully done .

[Musicienne-DAB]

Explosive playing from Ray Chen. I love hearing the indelible influence of Bach on Ysaye's work.

[elinamakela]

I have listened to this piece so many times and it plays in my head like a movie about mood disorder. The emotion in some parts is so raw it's heart wrenching. Desperation, anger, hope, mania, obsession...

[Isi-kmln]

Why do I always have to cry of luck when I listen to your violin playing? Why do you have to express so many emotions during you wonderful music, I can't deal with it...♥

[MariaRamos-jmbf]

Amazing, beautiful, wonderful...bravo Violinist Ray Chen....

[AnthonyRBlacker]

I think the hall just reverberated the sound amazingly and it was an excellent choice!

[ianhuangncubed]

The projection in that hall is so so so amazing! Beautiful!

[hening]

I feel so proud as if i accomplished something just by watching this video. Imagine how proud HE is😩

[muistijaljet]

The echo in this one is really beautiful as is the playing. <3

[t.h.]

I certainly feel his own cultural element and personality in his performance, which sometimes overwhelms me but makes me realise the existence of that part of the world.