Ray Chen exploring what makes a violin's sound

Ray Chen is looking for violins to be played by the finalists of his Play with Ray competition. Here he pays a visit to the New York offices of Tarisio to try out some instruments.

He writes: "In this video I go and explore the question ‘What is sound?’ by interviewing different people in the business. I've always held a fascination, almost an obsession with comparing instruments and their sounds, being able to describe in words (which can be very difficult!) and processing that information into useful information for the concert hall.

The violins we compare are also simultaneously being vetted to be loaned to the finalists of this year's Play with Ray: Hollywood Bowl competition where the winner will perform Bach Double Violin Concerto with me and the LA Phil in front of 18,000 people on August 8th, 2019. Entries close May 1st!"

Source: thestrad.com, April 24, 2019



Ray Chen exploring what makes a violin's sound

Video by Daniel Jang

Ray Chen and Los Angeles Philharmonic are running a new competition that will see one lucky violinist perform on stage with the Australian virtuoso. Play With Ray is open to nonprofessional musicians from all over the world, and concludes with a concert at the Hollywood Bowl on 8 August.

"I want to provide people around the world a fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", said Chen. "People who have a dream to perform on stage, this project is for you. I couldn't think of a better partnership to help realise everyone's passion for music than the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl."

To enter, violinists have to make a video recording of themselves playing the first movement of Bach's Double Violin Concerto along to a backing track provided by Chen and the LA Phil. The competition website includes bowing and fingering tips from Chen as well as sheet music.

The top three finalists will be flown to Los Angeles to rehearse with Chen, using violins provided by Tarisio. They will also attend concerts and take part in masterclasses. One lucky winner will then perform the Double Violin Concerto with Chen and the LA Phil.

The concert will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Source: Andrew Anderson, March 28, 2019 (internationalartsmanager.com)

More photos


See also

Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor – Ray Chen, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Kent Nagano

Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor – Ray Chen, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Kent Nagano