BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Taiwan-born and Brisbane-raised violinist Ray Chen is one of the hottest young musicians of our generation. The Giorgio Armani supported muso – who plays on a 1715 ‘Joachim’ Stradivarius violin, no less – has made his name on the international stage through success in major competitions including the Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, which he took out in 2009. Ray talks practice routines, big breaks, and the impact of age on performance careers ahead of his first national recital tour.
You’ve achieved so much as a young musician – how have you found the ride so far? Scary, exciting, or just life?
Thanks! It’s been a really exciting time, with so many new discoveries and things to learn along the way. Ever since I was a little boy, I always dreamed about being a violinist, travelling the world and seeing new places. Still can’t believe now it’s actually happening!
What do you feel was your ‘big break’?
I’ve won a few competitions along the way (and lost my fair share of them too) and the last ones I did that really propelled my career were the Yehudi Menuhin and Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competitions. I know there are some people who don’t like competitions, or don’t see them as the best way to express music, but for someone like me who had no contacts in the field, whose parents are not musicians, this was really the only way to get my foot in the door. I wish that one could simply play music and have a career appear at the click of your heels (it would definitely save a lot of blood, sweat, and tears), but it’s never that simple. For now, unless you happen to find your fairy godmother conductor, it’s going to have to be competitions for us normal people.
Why do you feel you’ve been acknowledged as a standout musician of this generation? What is your secret?
I believe that if you want to be anything of great calibre, you have to have a will of iron and a stubbornness that, nurtured with experience, eventually grows into confidence.
As a young person, how much do you feel you really know about music compared to musicians who have been playing for decades longer? Does age, life experience, and time have an impact on good music or is it about the individual and their dedication and skill?
I think that everything factors in to being a great musician. When we are young, we rely on our personalities, talent, and hard work to stand out. I’ve noticed that the older people get, the less they rely on that and more comes from experience from life and music. It’s good to have it all. If you stop trying and get lazy when you’re older you lose sincerity in your music, and perhaps if you think not everyone can hear it, you’re only tricking yourself. I hope I’ll be able to carry this belief with me until the day I die.
What’s your practice routine?
Before I even pick up the violin, I begin by stretching the muscles and ligaments of my body, especially if it’s the morning. I’m also constantly stretching and massaging my hands throughout the day. A lot of people also like to ask the other question: ‘How many hours do you practice a day?’ and for me, I’m happy to practice as little or as long as it requires me to get the work done. But I would prefer as little as possible, and that requires an efficient plan towards practising.
What qualities do you think are required in a young musician who wants to embark on a serious solo performance career?
Looking around at my fellow colleagues who are doing so well, I tend to see a trend. In addition to having your playing be at the highest level, it also helps to have a likeable personality as well as a knack for communicating – both on and off the stage. There are so many ways of communicating one’s feelings and personality to audiences nowadays through social media that I think it’s a fantastic age to be an artist!
Ray Chen will tour Australia with pianist Timothy Young from November 6-23. As part of his Musica Viva tour, he’ll give masterclasses with students from secondary and tertiary institutions. For more info go to musicaviva.com.au/whatson/
Image supplied.
