Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major op. 35 | Ray Chen - Queen Elisabeth Competition 2009

© RTBF, VRT, Queen Elisabeth Competition

PYOTR TCHAIKOVSKY Concerto in D major op. 35
Allegro moderato 00:00
Canzonetta 18:56
Allegro vivacissimo 25:32

Ray Chen, violin
Belgian National Orchestra
Gilbert Varga, conductor

Queen Elisabeth Competition | Violin 2009, Final
Brussels Centre for Fine Arts/Henry Le Boeuf Hall

Excerpt from the RTBF programme 'Tempo, Concours Reine Elisabeth session d'été', by Thierry Loreau

[RayChenViolinist]

I miss potato quality - it helps cover up intonation mishaps hahaha

[jessiahstalbirds.j.]

OMG, he was only 19 or 20 years old at this point in time and already a world-renowned Virtuoso.

[johnolsen]

Ray Chen is among one of the first worldwide renowned concert violinists to utilize the latest technological advances of the internet in a most personal manner. Although his generous offering reveals his less serious and warm character, one should never underestimate the extremely rare virtuosity and the impeccable technique he possesses.

[alanlee]

first prize!! and now Ray Chen is democratizing the best music for our next generation

[wwakkoppakko]

He is not just a violinist, he is an actor, a dancer, and a conductor.

[adamdesanti]

I simply cannot fathom how many tens of thousands of hours of practice it takes to be able to learn and play every single note from memory and with supreme virtuosity as the lead violinist in a 36-minute violin concerto composed by Tchaikovsky. How is that even humanly possible? I'm absolutely in awe.

[ent.xr]

I really like the smile of the conductor in the end. It seems so genuine when he looks to young Ray, smiles and hugs him. His body language tells: Ray, you can be proud. That was masterful performance.

[yukiyavalentine]

he's already so good back then, now even better and more handsome <3

[annettev.ekesparre]

This is so touching, honestly. Thank You Ray, for a Moment in Time you gave my soul a sense of inner Peace and gratitude for the World. And Music.

[petermartin]

This is my favorite Violin Concerto and this performance and recording may be my favorite to date. The soloist and orchestra under Mr. Varga's conducting are as hand in glove. The playing of Mr. Chen is powerful, passionate and mature for a young man. I am so impressed that Ray Chen is deserving of being at the top of Olympus with the who's who of violinists. So impressive ! I love this in its entirety. Everybody all in all the way through. Kudos everyone and especially Ray Chen amd Maestro Gilbert Varga for a historic work of art. Thank you !!!

[davidbai]

the conductor everytime he looked at ray: damn this boy cooking

[janekeleher]

I became aware of Ray Chen through the TwoSet violin channel. He is now on my bucket list to see someday!

[NickYangSungYen]

So glad to see Queen Elisabeth Competition released this competition video. It's so precious and I have been searching him playing Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major for so long. From official web site knows Ray is the first prize winner of the year and you see his skill is already telling you that he will be one of the brightest violinists later on. Amazing!

[markaprill]

I know Ray from his YouTube videos. Not just a great musician but a great teacher and seems to be a really nice guy too.

[june]

Ray Chen's smile was so adorable even back then!
Great performance!

[BlankCanvas]

I bet sometimes the other violinists look at the soloist at rehearsal and think, “Why can’t that be me?” Then come showtime they be like “So glad that’s not me!” It’s such a vulnerable position!

[DanielleCHARDON-ALBERA-vlbi]

Merci infiniment Mr Ray Chen pour tant de générosité, et pour nous partager votre joie de faire de la musique.

[volentezzetnelov]

Great performance.
This is why Tchaikovsky needed to compose one only violin concerto.

[johnun]

the greatest violinist from Taiwan, so BRAVO!

[kimlee]

Not just a great violinist. Great character and everything.