By Caleb Easterly
The rising star violinist Ray Chen Chen bounded onto the stage Tuesday night at Le Poisson Rouge, addressing the audience with a polite British accent and cracking a couple jokes before launching into Bach's haunting Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 in D minor. The Chaconne, which Chen described as “the answer to the meaning of life,” is one of the pinnacles of solo violin repertoire; Chen played it with bravado, leaving several bowstrings behind in the process.
The four movements of Brahms' 3rd sonata, traverse heroic themes, longing romantic melodies, and lively virtuosity; Chen showed he is capable of them delivering them all. Chen is clearly most at home in the Romantic era, as demonstrated by his new CD (released on Tuesday), which includes the Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn violin concertos.
Chen played several encores, including the theme from Schindler’s List and Pablo de Sarasate's "Introduction and Tarantella" chops. He had interacted with the audience all evening, but took things to another level when he asked for a vote for the last piece: a slow melody that unfortunately he didn’t identify. No doubt Chen would have played more if there wasn’t a stage curfew set by the management.
Chen is a rarity: a terrific performer without the ego. He's also a true virtuoso, playing the violin like it’s the most natural thing in the world. This isn’t surprising, as he’s been playing since age 4, but it’s still an incredible experience to see such an easygoing performer in such an intimate venue.